If you’re like us, you’ve been sitting on the edge of your seat waiting for the Season 2 premiere of The Last Ship. Thankfully, it’s almost here!

In anticipation of the next season, I talked exclusively with Christina Elmore, who plays Lt. Alisha Granderson on the show. When we left off at the end of Season 1, we saw Alisha reunited with her mother, who wasn’t exactly what we thought she would be. Elmore shared more of what is in store for her character and gave us a few hints as to what we can expect from Season 2.
Alisha’s mother, Amy (Alfre Woodard), is the newest villain on the series, trying to control the cure and run the world how she sees fit. “First off, I’ll just say that it’s amazing to work with Alfre Woodard,†Elmore said. “She’s such a talented actress. We meet my mom, and we expect that she’s gonna be a loving mother and trying to put the world back together the same way that we are. And… she’s not. She’s trying to put it back together in a very skewed and narrow way. I think it’s easy to write her off and say, ‘Oh, she’s a crazy, evil mom.’ But also, what I think is so great about the way that Alfre plays the character is that she really believes that what she’s doing is the right thing, even though it’s so messed up.â€
That creates an interesting dynamic for mother and daughter, since Alisha has been a part of the team who had been trying to develop the cure and save everyone. “My character has to make some major decisions about where she stands,†Elmore explained. “Is she going to be loyal to her family, or to her new family, which is on the ship?â€
Still, Elmore is able to reunite with her mother in an emotional way after being separated from the rest of the world for such a long period of time. Elmore talked about what it was like filming that scene, and the importance of those kinds of connections for the overall story.
“What this show does really well is show how isolated we are from our families and from the rest of the world on the ship. It can start to seem like these people come from nowhere. So to have a moment like that which is clearly important for my character but also for me to connect that, to where we all come from some place. Alisha has no idea what’s going on with her family. She hasn’t been able to be in touch with them or her friends or her girlfriend. To finally have a touchstone was pretty amazing.â€
So what does it take to film scenes like these, and to play a role with such complexity? Elmore described her process of getting into character, which, not surprisingly, involves a heck of a lot of research. “For every role, I do as much research as I can. I know a whole lot about the Navy now. I know a lot about diseases and what it takes to disseminate a cure and all that,†Elmore said. “I think at the end of the day, what really is most important is that I try to tell the truth of the moment. These moments are outside of anything I’ve ever experienced. I’ve never had a mom who was trying to do her own form of eugenics. I’ve never been in the Navy. So it’s exciting that I get to do that on this show, because it’s kind of explosive!â€
Something else we love about The Last Ship is the way it portrays its female characters. Elmore commented on that aspect of the show as well. “We’re seeing women who aren’t nagging or rude or mean, but who are strong and powerful, and making decisions that are important, and [who] also have emotions, families, and backstories – and are full characters.â€
The cast and crew of The Last Ship work long hours to create such an intense, powerful drama. That could easily take an emotional toll, but as Elmore explained, it’s a supportive group. “What’s great about our show is that, yeah, we’re doing a lot of intense scenes and there’s a lot going on, but we feel very supported by everyone on set. So when we break, we take a break. We’re able to go and release ourselves for a moment and then come back. And we all support each other. It’s great.â€
And behind the scenes, things aren’t always so serious. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. “We have some of the silliest people ever. If you lurk on our Instagram pages, you’ll see the craziest pictures, and the silliest, stupidest videos,†Elmore said. “We’re at work a lot, and we put in a lot of hours, so it’s easy to get a little loopy! [Laughs] And when you like the people you’re working with, it’s even easier get a little loopy. We have a blast.â€
When Elmore isn’t working on The Last Ship, she still manages to keep herself pretty busy. She was recently part of a play festival, and is now working on an indie film titled Black Car. “It’s a little bit of a thriller, so that should be fun. It’s a very different role for me, but still sort of authoritative, which I like.â€
Elmore also admitted that she hasn’t gone back to watch the previous episodes of the show, though she did watch them when they came on Sunday nights so she could interact on social media, enjoying seeing what fans had to say. “I watch them on Sunday nights with everyone else, and then I don’t watch them again. It’s really nerve-wracking! For me at least. Even when I’m watching on Sundays, I look away during my scenes mostly. I’m like, oh my eyes look so big! Oh, my hair’s a mess! Was I really listening to that person or was I just talking, or why’d they make that cut? But the thing is, I like the show a lot!â€
Fans who can’t get enough of The Last Ship can see more of the story with the new motion comic. “I think our show is perfect for that kind of medium. It’s also telling a side of the story that you’re not going to see on the show,†Elmore said.
Of course, there’s also plenty to look forward to in the upcoming season. Elmore hinted at just a few of the things we can expect in Season 2. “This year, we jump back in right where we ended, and we’re going to be telling that story as other things start to happen too. So it’s just going to be really interesting. I’m excited to see what the audience thinks about where we go.â€
By the end of Season 2, the crew of the USS Nathan James had found their way home with the cure, ready to disseminate it. But the world they came home too was nothing like they’d expected. This season will bring on brand new challenges.

“Now that we have the cure, and now that we’re back home, the show’s not just about finding the cure anymore. It’s about what we do with it, who wants it, who is exploiting it, who’s using it for their own good or for their own foul play,†Elmore explained. “So yeah, the show does take a different tone, but what’s great is that it’s still the same mission. The mission has always been to find the cure, and then to spread it and put the world back together. That stays constant, but how we do it and who we come up against definitely changes. I think it’s exciting.â€
That change will also pose new questions as the series moves forward. “There’s a catchphrase: ‘Are you immune?’ I can’t say much, but I can say that if you are immune to this virus, what would that mean? What kind of power could you have? You could do a lot of things that are good. You could also do a lot of things that aren’t so good.â€
Edited for space and content.
You can watch the Season 2 premiere of The Last Ship Sunday, June 21 at 9/8c on TNT. Need more Season 2 intel? Check out our WonderCon Interviews with the cast and EPs.
Related posts
Classics
John Griffin and Harold Perrineau Talk From on EPIX Season 1 Finale
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] How are we doing, #FROMily? In case you missed it this morning, the very good news is that that cliffhanger will be followed by a second season, which was gifted this morning ahead of the linear broadcast of the finale. I always legitimately appreciate when we…
Elizabeth Saunders Talks EPIX’s From
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] One of the things that makes EPIX’s From such a fun ride is the abundance of Canadian cast members. Elizabeth Saunders, who plays Donna, is a favorite from her turn on the third season of Mary Kills People, which US audiences still have not been able…
Corteon Moore Talks From “Broken Windows, Open Doors”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Tonight’s episode of From had us all in our feels as we learned through flashbacks about the Sophie’s Choice Boyd had to make to save his son, and back in the present as Boyd said his piece with Ellis before heading into the woods with…
Pegah Ghafoori Talks From “All Good Things…”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode] Tonight on From, Fatima’s anniversary celebration turned into a Colony House of horrors when a misguided Kevin let his monster bae in and she promptly killed him and left the window open for her crew. While the party devolved into terror and sent everyone running,…
Shaun Majumder Talks From “Book 74”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Tonight on EPIX’s From, Father Khatri made a bold move, kidnapping Sara instead of turning her in, and then recognizing her as a vessel for some big messages. That startling realization speaks to him on multiple levels–as a man of faith, a man trapped in…
Avery Konrad Talks About Sara’s Struggle in From “Silhouettes”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Over the course of the season so far on From, we’ve witnessed Sara’s battle against the voices telling her to to do terrible things, and tonight we saw her unravel further, threatening the Matthews and lashing out in a moment of terror with horrifying results….
Hannah Cheramy Talks From “Choosing Day”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Tonight, on EPIX’s From, the Matthews participate in the show’s version of the sorting hat, choosing where to call home–the town or Colony House. At the end of the episode, Julie makes the decision to split from her family and instead settle in with Fatima…
Ricky He Talks From “The Way Things Are Now”
[Warning: Spoilers for episode 102 of EPIX’s From.] Epix’s new series From is two episodes in and it’s already laying the groundwork for a seriously spooky season. Tonight’s episode demonstrated the careful balance of relief and horror that the show hits, with our characters’ worst fears realized, just not when…
Catching Up with Ted Lasso and Previewing Season 2
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] The not so dirty little secret about how I approach a new series is that I sometimes make a call based on the headspace I’m in at the time. It’s been a minute since I’ve picked up a show after the first season and then binge…
Interview: Henri Esteve on Grown-ish Season 3
An interview with Henri Esteve, who plays Javi on Freeform’s Grown-ish. He talks about his season three experience.
What They Said: Three Revealing Conversations from Survivor’s Remorse “Closure”
WARNING: Spoilers for Survivor’s Remorse “Closure” The latest episode of Starz’s Survivor’s Remorse featured conversations that showed characters really digging deep into their thoughts, emotions and motivations.
Two Takes: The Catch “The Knock-Off”
Who can you trust? If this episode of The Catch was any indication, the answer is just about nobody. Betrayal was running rampant as Felicity (Shivani Ghai) arose from the dead to seduce-con Margot, Gretchen (Maria Thayer, Gotham, The Mindy Project) played gold-hearted Alice 2.0 before swindling Ethan, Tessa jumped…
What They Said: Top 3 Quotable Moments from Preacher “El Valero”
Both Quincannon and Jesse refuse to give up on what they each think is rightfully theirs. While Jesse is struggling to face the consequences of his actions, Quincannon has laid his past demons to rest and is hellbent on moving forward and putting Annville on the map again. Despite a…
What They Said: Favorite Quotes from Supergirl “Worlds Finest”
Oh, Supergirl. That ending was cold. But I can’t hate on you because the latest episode has quickly become one of my favorites.
What They Said: Top 4 Quotable Moments from Black Sails “XXIII”
The dialogue in “XXIII” is phenomenal. It’s always a fun ride when Black Sails carries its viewers along without giving them the chance to catch their breath. When an episode moves at this unforgiving pace, there is no chance for a breather nor is there a respite from the information…
What Lucifer Said: Favorite quotes from Supernatural “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”
Supernatural episodes are almost always funny but thanks to the dialogue and a certain man speaking said dialogue, I laughed a lot during “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” You know, when I wasn’t busy fearing for Sam’s life or wondering what in the world was going on with Dean and…
What They Said: The Flash, “Legends Of Today” and Arrow, “Legends Of Yesterday”
Two nights of Arrow + The Flash = what more could we ask for?! I don’t know what it is about blending these shows, but I can’t help but feel that every time they come together, they somehow become greater than the sum of their parts. And that’s saying a lot…
What they Said: Top 4 Quotable Moments from Graceland “Little Bo Bleep”
Shoot outs. Fake outs. And long-awaited revelations. “Little Bo Bleep” was a jam-packed episode that wrapped up some loose ends and totally frayed others. Â It finally gave us one Sarkissian in jail and pulled back the curtain on Briggs’ master plan, but it also set up Jakes for a world…
What They Said: Favorite Quotes from Poldark “Part 4”
“What have I told you, I don’t require my wife to crochet and sip tea, but I do require her to remember she’s not a beast of burden.†No, I’m not talking about The Rolling Stones! I have to admit though, just for a second, the lyrics popped into my…
3 Moments of Goodness from Brooklyn Nine-Nine “Johnny and Dora”
The most satisfying part of this season’s finale has to the Jake and Amy kiss. Well, they kiss three times but the last one is the best one — and it means something. The Charles and Rosa dynamic was also great. I love how she’s convinced he doesn’t know anything…