Warning: SPOILERS for Resident Alien season 4 episode 3, “Ties That Bind”!Resident Alien’s Linda Hamilton is happy with where the sci-fi show leaves McCallister — but is “absolutely” down to reprise the role in future storylines. Based on the comic series of the same name,Resident Alien’s focus on an extraterrestrial trying to remain undercover on Earth was inevitably going to attract alien hunters like General McCallister. However, Linda Hamilton’s take on the sci-fi archetype quickly developed new shades as the show went on, revealing the true motivations that drive her from an antagonist into a surprisingly sympathetic figure.
Linda Hamilton has been in plenty of sci-fi films and shows over the years, but she was nothing but complimentary towardsthe balance of comedy, character, and creatures inResident Alien. Given her appearance in “Ties That Bind” could be the final time audiences see McCallister, the emotion baked into the scene takes on additional meaning. During an interview with Screen Rant, Linda Hamilton discussed her love forResident Alien,her upcoming action sci-fi filmOsiris, and her hopes thatResident Aliencomes back for a fifth season.
Why Linda Hamilton Loves Sci-Fi Like Resident Alien
“There is such a rich landscape of possibilities…”
Linda Hamilton is no stranger to sci-fi, which is what made her casting inResident Alienas General McCallister such a compelling get for the SyFy show in the first place. It’s a genre that Hamilton has long embraced, especially because of the layers of storytelling and character you may hide behind big concepts.“I love it. There is such a rich landscape of possibilities with time-travel and monsters, especially when the monsters aren’t really monsters. The possibilities are vast.”
Hamilton was complimentary toResident AlienShowrunner Chris Sheridan, noting that the show had developed the ability to “be something very funny one second, and then sort of flip it on its head and make you really care and melt inside. I think that is an incredible talent. The writing on this show, as well as the performances, I’m just a huge fan of this show.” Noting that she finally got a scene with Alice Wetterlund’s D’arcy Bloom, Hamilton explained, “I know there’s not a lot of time to tell everyone’s story, but I’m very happy with what they’ve created.”
The Joys And Challenges Of Osiris
“It’s fun when you have to think on your feet.”
Resident Alienisn’t the only sci-fi project for Linda Hamilton, as she’s also starring in the upcoming sci-fi action-thriller,Osiris. The film focuses on her several soldiers (including Hamilton’s Russian veteran, Anya) being abducted by aliens and forced to combat them on their spaceship. Hamilton is especially excited for sci-fi fans to see the monsters and action. Hamilton also revealed she had actually replaced another actor who had been originally cast as Anya because of a medical issue.This led to Hamilton only joining the film with “10 days notice.”
This made Anya’s Russian accent especially tricky, as Hamilton had to quickly get the character down. “It was hellish for a while,“Hamilton joked, “because my character is the one that really explains the story. There are gobs of Russian coming out of my mouth. But it was fun! It’s fun when you have to think on your feet.“Looking back at the finished product, Hamilton couldn’t be prouder of the film, and can’t wait for sci-fi fans to see it. “I worked my tail off, and we had a fantastic time. It was great… it was a dream job.”
McCallister And Linda Hamilton’s Future With Resident Alien
“It’s a little bittersweet.”
McCallister has been a recurring presence inResident Alien, when the character was introduced as one of the most potentially dangerous threats to Harry’s secrecy on Earth. Although the character was initially meant to be killed off at the conclusion of the first season, Hamilton’s performance quickly led to a change in the plans that turned the character from an outright enemy into an unlikely ally. “There were some pretty weird moments in season 3 with McAllister,” Hamilton admitted. “She obviously has some daddy issues. Even I would go, ‘What is this all about?'”
Noting that she didn’t know where the character would ultimately be going in season 4, Hamilton explained that “it’s not like they give you an outline of what they’re going to be doing with your character. Every week, I’d be opening up that script going ‘Okay, what is it for me today?’ And it could be anything, really. Once I had one scene, but it was with an Emu [Laughter].” However, that emotional core of the characters was what really spoke to Hamilton, calling McCallister’s interactions with her father and younger self “really sweet.”
Looking back at her time inResident Alien, Hamilton acknowledged that “it’s a little bittersweet.” McCallister ends the episode remaining in the past, even choosing not to return to the present with Harry and D’Arcy. This could be a gentle final beat for the character, effectively writing her out of the show and resolving the story arc revolving around her father by giving her more time with him. “It looks like they’ve had a nice little finish for my story,” Hamilton admitted, conceding that it could easily be a fitting ending for her character.
Resident Alien, which is currently in its 4th season, has yet to be renewed for a fifth. This means McCallister’s story in season 4 might really be it for the character, giving her a nice send-off that Hamilton appreciates for the character. Hamilton was still quick to say she would “absolutely” return toResident Alienif the show does get picked up, even revealing that she and Sheridan have discussed the possibility. “Chris Sheridan has let me know that he’s coming to get me if we have another year. I can’t wait — he’s coming into the past to get me!”
New episodes ofResident Alienair Fridays at 11pm ET/PT on USA Network and SYFY, and they are available to stream on Hulu and Peacock the next day.
