Sarah Carter has been sworn to secrecy.
She’s hiding the details about the fifth — and final — season of the TNT sci-fi drama “Falling Skies.” The last batch of new episodes begin rolling out at 10 p.m. tonight.
All of the final episodes have been filmed, and Carter is careful not to share any details about how the series will end. After a little prodding, she finally says there will be some surprises and that “it ends in an extremely hopeful place.” She gets a little cryptic when she adds that the last episodes will be “appropriate” and what fans are “not expecting.”
For five seasons fans have followed the story of the last survivors of an alien invasion of Earth. Rag-tag rebels have come together to fight back. It’s been a story of average people doing extraordinary things in the name of freedom. It’s a sci-fi action series, but it never shies away from serious topics.
Carter plays freedom fighter Maggie. The cast also includes Noah Wyle, Connor Jessup, Moon Bloodgood, Maxim Knight and Colin Cunningham.
Saying farewell to the show has been a lot tougher than Carter expected.
“It was really sad. I didn’t know I would feel as much as I did making the last episodes,” Carter says.
This is coming from an actress who has been working steadily since 2000. She got her start with a string of series-regular roles on “Undeclared,” “Wolf Lake” and “Boston Legal.”
The difference between her work on “Falling Skies” and other film and TV projects is how much she’s been able to do with the role. Instead of one or, at best, a few episodes, Carter has had multiple seasons to develop the character.
“She’s become a part of me,” Carter says. “She has such a wonderful heart that has shown what it is to be brave and to love. I am proud of Maggie.
“What I appreciate the most about the show is that Maggie has been so complex and really developed. I loved the constant resistance — and capacity for love — Maggie has. But, she’s always ready to fight the good fight.”
Carter will miss more than just her character. She’ll miss working with Drew Roy, who plays Hal Mason, because their characters spent a lot of time together. Carter calls it rare to get to connect with a cast and characters so deeply.
Before you start getting misty eyed for Carter, she’s already has another television job. She plays a DEA agent on the DirecTV series “Rogue.” The third season of the series began Wednesday.
The new series helps, but it is still tough on Carter to see “Falling Skies” end.
“It has been so well written. I will miss the huge sets,” Carter says. “But, it’s also time for it to end. Plus, actors start craving different stories and become anxious to try something new.”
