'Umbrella Academy' star roasts Toronto libraries and calls one 'violent and eventful'
Who knew Toronto libraries could leave such an impression? One Umbrella Academy star had quite a few things to say about the city's bibliothecas and he did not hold back.
Narcity sat down with the cast of The Umbrella Academy as they wrapped up the filming of season four. The stars spoke about some of their favourite restaurants in the city, memorable behind-the-scenes moments and more.
Robert Sheehan, who plays the eccentric Klaus Hargreeves, had an unexpected answer when asked about his favourite places to go in Toronto.
"I've been in the libraries quite a bit this season," Sheehan admitted. "The libraries of Toronto are a trip in and of themselves. They're somewhere between a sort of mental care home and prison childcare facility."
Tom Hopper, who plays Luther Hargreeves in the popular Netflix series, laughingly agreed. "Oh, the libraries are great."
"Silence is not a rule in a Toronto library. Remember the days when people would go, 'shhh!' Now it sounds like, 'YABADADYABADAYAA!'" Sheehan yelled comically. "No matter what library you're in, you've just got to adapt, I suppose."
"The Bloor and Gladstone library, that's my favourite, because it's the most violent and eventful. It's hilarious," he added.
While Sheehan claimed to have love for the Bloor and Gladstone library, quirks and all, he wasn't too fond of the interruptions.
"I suppose the problem with the Bloor/Gladstone library is that they keep having to kick people out prematurely. So you get set up there and you're like, 'Hey, well I'll do my thing,' and they're like, 'Really sorry. We've had to close. Everybody out.'"
Sheehan also gave a shoutout to High Park, although he did have some quibbles about the city's green spaces.
"High Park. I've been in High Park a lot this season. It's so beautiful. I wish Toronto would take the wealth that they put into planting trees and the biodiversity and spread it across the city. Why not?" Sheehan said.
"Toronto has an air pollution problem, and, you know, they think they can solve it by creating three city blocks over here. It's like, spread it out. Create forests all over, not just for the rich people, for the poor lungs too," he added.
The fourth and final season of The Umbrella Academy was released on Netflix on August 8, 2024.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
Parkwood Estate in Oshawa, Ontario.
Number Five in Griddy's Doughnuts. 