Christina Elmore – The Last Ship

By: Lisa Steinberg

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

A) Right now, I’m in a play that will open later in the summer. In the meantime, we’ll be seeing what happens.

Q) Where do we pick up with this season and what we’ll get to see from your character?

A) This year starts with a little bit of a time jump. The first season was really about trying to develop the cure. The second season was about trying to get the cure to the world. The third season is more about making sure that everyone gets it and that it is not compromised by shady figures. By the time you pick up with us, it seems we are back on track. Adam Baldwin’s character Slattery is now in control of the Nathan James and Eric Dane’s character Chandler has a new high up job in the Navy Administration. Some things immediately go wrong though and there is a hostage situation. So, this season feels a little different than the last two in that it is not all about the ship. I know the show is called “The Last Ship,” but it is more about off the ship action and issues we have to fight that are on the ground. For my character, her role shifts a little bit in a way I can’t quite talk about yet. Every character has to step up with new obligations based on the world we find ourselves in now, which is kind of exciting.

Q) Did your character change or evolve from her origin to what we see now?

A) I think so, but not in a dramatic way. I think no matter who would have played the character that it would have differed from that breakdown. I bring to it my own personal experiences and my take on it. Then, the writers see my take and see what I am bringing and adjust accordingly – as do I with the writing. So, it is sort of a relationship as they are in charge of what is happening and my interpretation also effects what they end up writing. So, the role is a little more serious than maybe what was written in the breakdown and a little more rigorous. She is fun, but takes responsibility in a very serious way that we’ve explored more since the pilot. The role in general hasn’t changed much, it’s just about my interpretation of it and the writers’ response to that, which has been kind of fun to see where she goes and how she responds to situations in surprising ways sometimes.

Q) How will dynamics shift or flip from beginning the series to where we find them now?

A) There are going to be some dramatic twists and turns for everyone and Alisha is, for sure, included in that. There is a situation that happens that I don’t think anyone could expect so everyone has to respond in ways we haven’t seen before. Everyone has been under pressure, even Alisha. With her mom, the first and second seasons were awful. She had to figure out where her allegiances lie. I think every season the characters are tested in ways we have never thought of before and I think that this season is no different.

Q) Was there anything you added to the role that wasn’t originally scripted for you?

A) Not that I can think of, but I think as the show has gone on it is more the personal relationships I have with certain actors off screen (in terms of our friendships and all that). Marissa [Neitling] and I are good friends and I think that friendship is deepened on the show as a result because I think the writers have seen it and say, “They enjoy being together so maybe we’ll have scenes with them together because the chemistry is there!” We have such great writers on the show that we really trust them.

Q) Who are some guest stars you can tease for Season Three?

A) This season we have some awesome additions to the show. Mark Moses is back as President Michener. He’s an amazing actor and really great in that role so it’s wonderful he’s back in that role. LaMonica Garrett has joined the cast as a lieutenant on the show and he brings an interesting flavor and has some crazy things that go on, too. There are some great people and wonderful actors that portray our bad guys, as always. I would say on our show we have some of the best actors playing our shady characters. I’m always jealous that I don’t get to play a shadier character. And Bridget Regan is amazing, wonderful and brings such a lovely energy to the cast. She’s a badass, for sure.

Q) You are a part of social media. Do you enjoy the instant fan feedback you receive?

A) It’s been great! It was surprising because in the first season we decided to tweet. But the investment that the fans have had with the show has been really exciting. That we can see immediate feedback is kind of cool and a bit daunting because you know right away if it connected or didn’t. I think what has been most exciting is the feedback we get from people in the Navy and other parts of armed forces. When you get it right, you can tell. And when you’re not so right, you can tell. [laughs] I think because of our relationship with the Navy…Every day on set we have a couple liaisons from the Navy so I think we get a lot of it right. To see that and for people who are serving our country to be able to see themselves reflected and then to immediately hear their feedback is amazing.

Q) What have you taken away from working on the series?

A) I think I’m always going to be grateful, no matter how long the series lasts. Part of that is because I’m able to do a show that represents more than just entertainment. It represents telling an honorable story about people who risk their lives for this country. So, I’m always going to be grateful for that because I think it’s pretty darn cool and rewarding. I’m also grateful to be able to work on a show that I think is good and that I like the people I work with. That’s rare! It’s pretty cool. It doesn’t happen all the time. [laughs] Sometimes you like the people (cast and crew), but the show isn’t great. Sometimes the show is good, but the people are mean and terrible. So, to have the chance to work with wonderful people on a wonderful show that people are so receptive this is a once in a lifetime thing. I’m grateful for however long it lasts.