Dish Of Salt: First Look: ‘Castle’s’ Beckett Finally Meets Her Match – Nikki Heat!

It looks like yet another love triangle could be forming on ABC’s “Castle.” This one has a major twist! It’s Beckett vs. Beckett!

I was first on the set this week with former “That 70″s Show” beauty Laura Prepon who is playing Natalie Gray, the actress who is cast as Nikki Heat – you know, the detective heroine of Richard Castle’s (Nathan Fillion) series of mystery novels, which just happen to be based on Detective Kate Beckett (Stana Katic).

Unfortunately, fans looking to see a splice of the movie version of Castle’s book, “Heat Wave,” in which actress Natalie has been cast, may have to wait. Laura told me we will only see the audition tape her character submits to land the role in her upcoming episode. Now while Laura’s character is a blonde, her audition tape does have her sporting a brunette Beckett-type wig.

Taking a page from Castle, Natalie decides to follow her doppelganger Beckett on a few cases to help get into character. She arrives to the crime scene in full stereotypical actress diva mode — perfect hair, perfect makeup, perfect outfit — but soon finds herself dressing down to make herself more Beckett-like.

Stana tells me at first, Beckett is all for the idea of this actress following her every move. That is, until she becomes all “single white female,” as Stana explained.

It also seems that Natalie notices the spark between Castle and Beckett and decides to make her own move on Castle. Who didn’t see that coming?!

Oh and “Millionaire Matchmaker” Patti Stanger may want to watch her back! This episode (airing in January) centers around the murder of a millionaire matchmaker who may have been killed by one of her clients.

For lots more spoilers from the set, check out my interview with Laura HERE.

Plus, why is Castle not so thrilled with the casting choice of Natalie? Nathan explains why HERE.

Stana explains what she thinks of her doppelganger HERE. Plus, what pet project had Stana walking the streets of LA recently for a week. She explains it all HERE.