Convention - For The Love of Fantasy 2025 : Billy Burke Shines at Panel in London

By Mulder, Londres, ExCeL London, 16 august 2025

They say timing is everything—and no one embodied that more than Billy Burke on August 16, 2025, at ExCeL London during the For The Love of Fantasy 2025 convention. When he stepped onto the stage for his Q&A panel at 13:45, the room erupted with cheers—an electric welcome from fans whose affection for him clearly transcends time and trends. Organizers had teased the session widely on both fan pages and the convention’s official channels, and the enthusiasm never wavered from that moment on .

From the outset, the atmosphere was thick with nostalgia—and yet it was not merely a trip down memory lane. Billy Burke navigated the conversation with a graceful duality, reflecting on his enduring role as Charlie Swan in the Twilight saga while bridging into his contemporary narrative arcs in Fire Country and Outbreak—projects mentioned in promotional materials that further emphasized his evolving creative trajectory. As he spoke, the feeling that he cherishes this connection with fans—both past and present—was unmistakable. He spoke of the Twilight community with genuine humility, crediting them for keeping the heart of his work alive.

But it wasn’t just retrospective—Billy Burke shared real insights into his recent roles, particularly his portrayal of fire chief Vince Leone in Fire Country. He talked about how that role grounded him in a form of heroism rooted in real-world stakes—community leadership, emotional weight, and accountability—throwing into sharp relief how beautifully that contrasted with the more supernatural, emotionally guarded Charlie Swan. Fans left saying the panel felt like witnessing two distinct but deeply authentic facets of his artistry unfold in one intense hour.

Anecdotes bolstered the authenticity of the session. One standout: when he first donned Charlie Swan’s leather jacket, he described it as “like putting on a father’s armor”—a simple but evocative metaphor for the emotional shield the character represented. And when a thoughtful young fan asked what advice he'd give his younger self embarking on the Twilight journey, his answer—“Stay true to your craft, but don’t lose touch with why you got into this in the first place: connection, storytelling, heart”—felt like a mission statement for both actors and fans alike. It was shared far and wide on social media, resonating with the crowd long after the lights dimmed.

Yet the warmth continued beyond the stage. Billy Burke made time for fans in autograph and photo sessions—Area A at 9:30 and Area D at 14:40 on the Saturday, plus additional opportunities on Sunday—smiling, chatting, and connecting one-on-one even as the energy of the day surged around him. Candid shots captured him exuding genuine warmth, a humility that often feels rare amid celebrity panels and meet-and-greets. This wasn’t just another convention appearance—it was a gathering stitched together with authenticity, nostalgia, and mutual respect. Billy Burke didn’t merely show up; he was fully present—in his iconic past, his evolving present, and the community that continues to support him.

You can discover our photos in our Flickr page

Filmography :
1990 – Daredreamer
1991 – To Cross the Rubicon
1998 – Don’t Look Down
1998 – Mafia!
1998 – Without Limits
1999 – Dill Scallion
1999 – Komodo
2000 – The Independent
2001 – After Image
2001 – Along Came a Spider
2003 – Lost Junction
2003 – Something More
2004 – Ladder 49
2007 – Feast of Love
2007 – Forfeit
2007 – Fracture
2007 – Three Days to Vegas
2008 – The Grift
2008 – Twilight
2008 – Untraceable
2009 – Luster
2009 – The Twilight Saga: New Moon
2009 – Ticket Out
2010 – Removal
2010 – The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
2011 – Drive Angry
2011 – Red Riding Hood
2011 – The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1
2012 – Freaky Deaky
2012 – The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2
2013 – Angels in Stardust
2013 – Highland Park
2015 – Divine Access
2016 – Lights Out
2017 – Good After Bad
2018 – Breaking In
2021 – Batman: The Long Halloween, Part One (voice)
2021 – Batman: The Long Halloween, Part Two (voice)
2024 – Bloody Axe Wound
2024 – Outbreak