In an exciting conversation with ComingSoon, we had the privilege of speaking with the iconic actress and Resident Alien star Linda Hamilton. She shared her insights about the upcoming fourth season of her cherished television series, her perspectives on Terminator: Dark Fate, her anticipated role in Stranger Things, and much more. Fans of Resident Alien should note that the show will be transitioning to a new timeslot at 10 p.m. ET/PT starting on Friday, July 4. Additionally, viewers can catch episodes on the USA Network and SYFY, with streaming availability on Peacock one week after their initial airing.

The thrilling synopsis for the fourth season reveals that Harry, along with his baby, Bridget, find themselves imprisoned on the Grey Moonbase. Meanwhile, a shape-shifting alien known as a Mantid has taken control of Harry’s body on Earth, impersonating him as the genuine Harry Vanderspeigle. As Harry plots his escape from the Greys to return to Earth for an epic confrontation with the Mantid Alien, he quickly realizes he might be lacking the necessary resources to succeed. Additionally, Asta and D’arcy are burdened with the challenge of keeping significant secrets from Ben and Kate, both of whom are eager for answers regarding their puzzling situations. On another front, Sheriff Mike and Deputy Liv are on the trail of some unexplained deaths in Patience, with Sheriff Mike growing suspicious that they may not be of human origin.

Tyler Treese: It’s been an absolute delight watching Resident Alien over the last couple of years, and your performance has been outstanding. I imagine one of the challenges for you as an actress portraying the General is maintaining a serious demeanor amidst the show’s comedic elements. How do you balance the seriousness of your character while still embracing the comedic moments?

Linda Hamilton: It’s definitely not an easy task, to be honest. Each day after wrapping up on set, I often felt like I had failed in some way. I adore the role, and perhaps that’s why I would find myself contemplating, “What if I added a humorous twist to this moment? That would be funny.”

However, upon arriving on set, I’d focus on these small nuances, only to be told, “That little bit you’re attempting, don’t do that.” My character serves primarily as the straight man in the ensemble, which feels akin to attending comedy camp yet not being allowed to partake in the jokes [laughs].

Clearly, something is resonating because they keep inviting you back.

Indeed! However, I often feel like a complete failure. It’s just the nature of the character—much like Colonel Klink from Hogan’s Heroes, there’s no joy to be found in this role.

It must be fascinating to work alongside Alan Tudyk. Although he may not be a household name, he’s a beloved figure in many circles. What stands out about him as an actor, especially considering this is his most significant live-action role, aside from his extensive voice acting?

He is incredibly talented, and it’s quite easy to become overshadowed by his brilliance. Often, I’ll suddenly think, “Oh my God, it’s my turn now!”

His exceptional skill in ad-libbing means you’re never quite sure what he’s going to deliver. Comedy hinges on timing, and with him, it’s always a question of, “Is he done? Is it my turn yet?”

There have been instances where I found myself grinning uncontrollably while the cameras were rolling, thinking, “Oops, I’m not supposed to be smiling!” He was particularly charming in the latest episode we’re discussing. There’s a brief moment that I will carry with me joyfully, and it’s just a fleeting instant.

I don’t want to give too much away, but he has this hilarious scene where he attempts to dismiss D’arcy while sitting at a table with me. He asks, “Don’t you have to diarrhea?” It always made me laugh, and he delivered it differently each time. I swear that’s one of my all-time favorite moments working with Alan Tudyk.

Speaking of humor, Chris Sheridan is the creative mind behind this show, and he has an impressive background with Family Guy. What do you admire most about his work as the showrunner throughout these four seasons?

Oh, he is simply remarkable. I genuinely admire him deeply. I made him promise to stay friends after my last day on set, and he agreed with a handshake [laughs]. I just want to be part of his life in some way because he possesses such a wonderful demeanor. His writing is not only impeccable but also a blend of humor and emotional depth. I truly don’t know how he manages to produce such quality content week after week, but I am thoroughly impressed with his talent.

Having worked on Resident Alien, which has the most episodes you’ve done since Beauty and the Beast, what do you think is the biggest advantage of becoming familiar not only with your character but also with the cast and crew? How does this familiarity enhance your performance as an actress?

Linda Hamilton: It has indeed been quite a journey, especially since we started filming right when COVID took off. We completed half a season, but then had an extended hiatus before returning for the second season. Our schedule was further disrupted by the strike.

These long breaks can be quite exhausting for everyone involved. Just as you start to feel comfortable in your role, you’re faced with another long pause, only to re-establish that comfort again. It’s been a cycle of getting used to each other, then facing another lengthy interruption… [laughs].

It’s certainly been a challenge for everyone. Despite the show’s success, the constant interruptions feel like attempting to push a boulder uphill every day for Chris Sheridan. Nevertheless, it’s incredibly rewarding when we finally reunite. Aside from Alan, everyone involved is exceptionally talented in comedy and comic acting. You know what I mean?

Being in the company of such gifted people brings me immense joy, and I’ve also made some great friends in Vancouver. I enjoy visiting Vancouver now, especially my friends at the dog park. It’s just a wonderful life.

I can’t wait to see you in Stranger Things. It’s a dream role for many fans, and I imagine you’re just as thrilled. Given the high production value and long episodes, did it feel more like filming a movie than a series?

Absolutely, it was a significant undertaking. Shooting eight episodes took us an entire year, which is unprecedented for me. Typically, projects I’ve worked on lasted about six months, like Terminator and Dante’s Peak, but those lengthy shoots are rare nowadays.

Spending a year on one project required a state of constant readiness to fly to Atlanta at any given time during production. It was intriguing to remain prepared to embody the character in the way she deserved. They began filming with all my major scenes in the first week, which was quite daunting. I remember thinking, “There’s no way we’re doing this; I haven’t even spoken as the character yet.”

They don’t start with the first episode; we dive deeply into Episode 2. It dawned on me that every single day involved significant scenes like that. I was surprised by the scale, thinking there’s no way they could be accomplishing all the stunts, special effects, and heavy character work on my first day, but it turns out that’s just how they operate!

It doesn’t get more legendary than the Terminator films. I’m curious about your thoughts on Terminator: Dark Fate, which didn’t perform well at the box office. However, many dedicated fans have reacted positively, and the reviews were generally favorable. Were you satisfied with the creative direction of the film?

Linda Hamilton: Yes, I was. Although I must admit that I struggle to assess my own work objectively. I was fully invested in that film, pouring my heart and soul into my legacy with the Terminator franchise; it essentially bookends my career. I truly dedicated myself to that character.

I formed a strong bond with Mackenzie and Natalia; I’ve never felt such a connection with two other actors in a film before. That aspect was genuinely beautiful, and I appreciated the film overall. I only watched it once because I prefer not to view my performances; it helps me detach and leave my appearance behind. I did see it once, and my only critique would be that it could have benefited from a slower pace at times.

That’s just my perspective on traditional filmmaking. Nowadays, everything feels so fast-paced. There’s a formula that drives the action, and I often find it challenging to keep up. I thought Dark Fate would have been improved with a few moments to reflect on the humanity of the characters. It felt a bit overwhelming, as if there weren’t enough authentic moments. Just a slight pause here and there to explore the costs the characters endure would have added depth. But ultimately, that’s a stylistic preference, you know?

A heartfelt thank you to Linda Hamilton for sharing her time and thoughts on Resident Alien and more.