Sometimes the perfect way to serve the best interest of the world’s population is to remain isolated from the problems that are plaguing the public, so that you’re not emotionally influenced by the way the dilemma is impacting the people around you. That morally debated issue is once again being intriguingly explored in the current second season of TNT’s sci-fi action series, ‘The Last Ship.’ Up-and-coming actress Christina Elmore plays a lieutenant on the post-apocalyptic show, which is based on the acclaimed 1988 novel of the same name by William Brinkley, and powerfully explores how a confined Navy crew is diligently striving to cure a deadly global pandemic. Elmore, who received her Master of Fine Arts degree in Acting from the American Conservatory Theatre shortly before being cast on the drama series, enthralling emphasizes the determination her character and her fellow officers face as they work to revive humanity.
‘The Last Ship’ chronicles a global catastrophe that kills 80 percent of the world’s population. Due to its positioning, the Navy destroyer U.S.S. Nathan James avoided falling victim to the devastating tragedy. But now the ship’s crew and its captain must confront the reality of their new existence in a world where they’re among the few remaining survivors. The second season follows Captain Tom Chandler (Eric Dane), CDR Mike Slattery (Adam Baldwin), LT Alisha Granderson (Elmore) and the rest of the ship’s crew, as they work to disseminate the cure that paleomicrobiologist Dr. Rachel Scott (Rhona Mitra) developed at the end of Season One.
Elmore generously took the time recently to talk about reprising her role of Alisha on the second season of ‘The Last Ship’ during an exclusive phone interview. Among other things, the actress discussed how she was initially drawn to play the lieutenant on the action sci-fi show after she read the script for the pilot episode, and enjoyed the fact that a post-apocalyptic story was being told from the government’s point-of-view, as opposed to the civilians’ perspectives; how she appreciates that members of the Navy consult on the show, as that helps her better understand her character’s job and motivations; and how she enjoyed performing more stunts during the current second season, and the fact that action sequences have the freedom of being more developed on a cable network like TNT than on broadcast networks.
ShockYa (SY): You reprised your LT Alisha Granderson on the current second season of the TNT action sci-fi series, ‘The Last Ship.’ What was it about the character, as well as the show’s premise overall, that initially convinced you to take on the role?
Christina Elmore (CE): When I first read the script for the pilot and decided to audition, what I found to be really exciting about it was that it was a post-apocalyptic story that was being told from a different point-of-view that we often see. I really liked the idea that naval forces were isolated from the virus, and then they try to find a cure and get it back home.
I also liked that the Navy is really involved in the show, because my brother was in the Navy for a long time. I really liked that we were going to be respecting the Navy. The character of Alisha was also interesting, which was a plus, as well.
SY: Since Alisha is a lieutenant in the Navy, what kind of research did you do as you were preparing for your role?
CE: What was really great about filming the pilot was that we shot it all in San Diego on a naval base. All of our background actors were real members of the Navy. We also have a lot of consultants on the show who are lieutenants and even captains. So we were able to ask these real members of the Navy how they do their job, and how we can portray them on TV. A big part of our process, particularly in the beginning, was figuring out what we were saying and what everything means, and why our characters were doing what they do. We also figured out what each job in the Navy entails.
SY: Speaking of the fact that you filmed the pilot on the navel base in San Diego, do you prefer shooting on location, as opposed to on a soundstage? Does the process help you connect with your character?
CE: Having filmed on both locations and soundstages, I definitely enjoyed being on the base. We now shoot most of the episodes on a set, and then go to the San Diego naval base to shoot the exteriors. It’s nice to have a balance of both. Being on a set means there’s more room for the cameras to get around, and it’s not as crowded in general.
But being on the actual Navy base feels really exciting, because everything is real. So if you touch the wrong thing, that can really change things. (laughs) It’s funny that when we’re dressed in our in our characters; uniforms on the base, we’ll be saluted by the real Navy, because they think we’re actual lieutenants. So we’ll have to tell them, “Don’t salute us; we’re only actors.” But some of the cast members will accept the salute. (laughs)
SY: The show is based on the book of the same name by William Brinkley. Were you familiar with the book at all before you signed on to play Alisha? Do you reference it all as you’re preparing for your scenes?
CE: I know the book was popular in the late ’80s and ’90s, after it was initially released, but I wasn’t familiar with it before we bean filming the show. What was nice about having the book was that we were able to have a jumping off point. It hasn’t really remained a Bible for the entire series, but it was a great starting point, and put us in the world for the show. We have taken a lot of liberties with the story, but I like that we have the book as a backbone, particularly in the beginning.
SY: Now that the show’s in its second season, and the characters and story have been established, do you enjoy working with the show’s writers to develop Alisha’s relationships and work ethic?
CE: I definitely enjoy working with them. What’s nice about our showrunners and writers is that their offices are all on the same lot. The showrunners are often on set with us, so if we have a question or idea, they’re just an email or conversation away. They’re really wonderful about helping us map out where we’re going. None of us castmembers are writers, so we’re not pitching major ideas. (laughs) But it is nice that it’s a collaborative process, and we can talk about where our characters are going. That process has been really helpful.
SY: The show’s unique in the fact that it focuses on the members of the Navy who are looking for a cure, instead of how the general public is reacting to living in a post-apocalyptic world, like you mentioned earlier. Do you feel that’s a beneficial aspect to the genre, and a creative way to tell this story?
CE: I do. We see a lot of shows and movies that are set on the ground when a virus comes, or when the world’s blown up, and the characters have to deal with that as normal citizens. This series is a nice alternative in the fact that it shows people who should seemingly be prepared for this type of event have to scramble to figure out what to do next. It’s also cool that even though the story’s based on the Navy, we also have scientists on board. So we have to attack the virus and those who try to exploit the situation.
SY: With ‘The Last Ship’ being aired on TNT, what is the process of filming a show for a cable network? Do you feel that you have more creative freedom being on cable, as opposed to on a broadcast network?
CE: I think airing the show on TNT is super important in the fact that we did 13 episodes for this second season. If we were on NBC or another broadcast network, we might have to make 22 episodes. But what’s great about being able to make a 13-episode season is that each show is really well produced. Each episode has a lot of action, and we’re able to tell each story fully. It’s nice we’re making a movie with every show, because we use our budget and time wisely. We also have a little more time to shoot each episode.
SY: With ‘The Last Ship’ being an action-driven sci-fi series, do you enjoy performing stunts, and balancing the character’s emotional arc with her physicality?
CE: I do enjoy performing stunts. During the first season, I didn’t do as many of the action sequences, as my character was mainly on the ship, dealing with the more emotional issues. But this season, I get out a little more, which has been pretty exciting. I enjoyed doing the physical aspects with the other actors who have been performing stunts, and it’s been really fun. It’s been fun mixing it up.
SY: Besides starring on ‘The Last Ship,’ you also starred in the acclaimed film, ‘Fruitvale Station.’ How did you become involved in acting in both television and movies?
CE: I went to grad school for acting for three years. After I graduated, the first job that I got was in ‘Fruitvale Station,’ and I was living in San Francisco at the time, before I moved to L.A. I was living in San Francisco around the time that Oscar Grant was killed, and all the backlash that followed as a result. So it was wonderful to be a part of a film that told the story so beautifully and poignantly, and I was really grateful for the opportunity.
SY: Do you take a different approach to preparing for a film like ‘Fruitvale Station,’ as opposed to a show like ‘The Last Ship?’
CE: I think what’s different about film and television is that with the character I play on TV, I get to see her grow and progress, and will hopefully continue to so for many years. But with the movie, it’s a two-hour deal, and that’s it. I think the preparation’s the same for both, but you need to dig deeper to show who the character is within the two-hour film. I’m still learning about Alisha everyday, especially when we get each new episode. But when I do a film, I need to figure everything out about my character in the beginning.
SY: Since you’re just starting off your acting career, are there any performers or filmmakers who have influenced your decision to become a performer, and who you’d be interested in working with in the future?
CE: When I was growing up, I thought Phylicia Rashad was a goddess. What I loved most about her is that she played such an iconic character, but didn’t allow that to define her. She continues to work as a director and actress in films, television and stage. So to be able to work with her one day would be amazing.
I also really loved working with Alfre Woodard (who played Alisha’s mother, Amy, who served as the vice-chair of the US President’s Defense Policy Board, and was a villain who was trying to control the cure) during Season 1 of ‘The Last Ship.’ She’s always been someone I’ve looked up to, so being able to work with her was a dream come true.
SY: Besides the second season of ‘The Last Ship,’ do you have any other upcoming projects lined up that you can discuss?
CE: Right now we’re on hiatus from the show, and I’ve done a one-act play festival. I’m also working on a movie made for television.
Written by: Karen Benardello