ABC’s Last Resort packs loads of conflict into what Autumn Reeser describes as a “political thriller meets epic action romance.” A new drama from the creator of The Shield, the series follows the crew of a United States Navy nuclear submarine who after being attacked inexplicably by their own country, take refuge on an island in the middle of the Pacific. Meanwhile, Reeser’s character Kylie Sinclair, an ambitious weapons lobbyist, is back in Washington, D.C. trying to unravel the political conspiracy. “It’s an incredibly complex story line. One of the special things about this show is that their storytelling is really ballsy. Just when you think you know what’s going to happen, it pushes far beyond that.”
The secret to the show’s captivating spirit is a strong relationship between those working both on and off screen. “It’s collaboration. They are willing to take the time with the actors to make the scenes really spectacular. Martin Campbell directed the pilot and he sees any bullshit that you’re doing. When I went in to audition for him, he worked with me for about an hour to get the scene where it needed to be. The writers invited the actors into the writer’s room where I got to sit with them for a few hours to talk about my [personal] journey and what I want in my life, and Kylie’s journey and where she is in her life. It allowed them to get to know me. That was the first time I’d ever experienced anything like that while working on a show.”
For Autumn, playing Kylie hits close to home in an unexpected way. “Kylie’s in a place where she’s searching for the truth and that is where I feel I am in my life right now. Becoming a mother a year ago has profoundly changed my life and made me feel more accountable for myself in a really wonderful way. I feel like I’m on the hunt for greater personal integrity in my relationships and my career and I think Kylie is on a similar journey of personal exploration.” The most stimulating thing about being on a show that brings such high intensity? “It demands a high level of acting from everyone on the show. I love being told to bring my A-game.” Last Resort will air on Thursdays at 8/7c this fall on ABC.
Interview by Ashley Symone Lee
Photographed by Vince Trupsin