The7th HeavenCast Had 'Instant Chemistry' on Day 1: 'We All Liked Each Other' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

From bottom left: Beverley Mitchell, Jessica Biel, Mackenzie Rosman and David Gallagher; Top: Barry Watson.Photo:James Sorenson/Spelling Prod./Everett

James Sorenson/Spelling Prod./Everett

Beverley Mitchell,Barry Watsonand their onscreen mom Catherine Hicks are feeling grateful for each other — and their other7th Heavenfamily members — nearly 30 years after the series launched.

“I always just think of the pilot episode, when we all were sort of like forced into having instant chemistry,” Watson tells PEOPLE while chatting during an appearance at at90s Conin Connecticut earlier this year. “And it sort of matches, sort of happened.”

Watson, 50, portrayed eldest Camden son, Matt Camden, while Mitchell, 43, was his sister Lucy Camden in the drama though all 11 seasons, until the finale in 2007.

“The pilot episode, I think to me, was probably pretty special. And then every episode after that it was just — everything sort of blends. It’s one, long episode,” Watson says during the September interview.

Hicks, 73, similarly cherishes the group’s immediate bond.

“It’s so exciting when you do a show, you do the pilot and then you find out ‘Oh my gosh, I think it’s it,' ” Hicks tells PEOPLE.

Catherine Hicks (left) and Beverley Mitchell in 1999.Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Mitchell says, “I think we got pretty lucky. We’re a show that we all got along, we all liked each other, we all had mutual respect for each other. There was no competition between any of us. It was a very comfortable set for guest stars to come on.”

And the series did draw some pretty notable guest appearances throughout its run.

“We had awesome guest stars," Hicks says. “Like movie stars from the ’40s, ’50s, ’60s, then-current stars. Pat Boone, Phyllis Diller, Richard Lewis.”

From bottom left: Mackenzie Rosman, Catherine Hicks and Beverley Mitchell; From top left: Barry Watson and David Gallagher.Presley Ann/Shutterstock

Presley Ann/Shutterstock

Watson also reveals that the series has reached the next generation — his own children.

“My 16-year-old son Felix decided to binge watch every season and he did it in like a couple weeks. He kept watching! And then my oldest son, no, he thought it was kinda cheesy,” Watson says.

source: people.com