24: Live Another Day star Yvonne Strahovski is promising Mondays finale will be a shocker.
"There is pressure to make something that is pretty special. It's definitely shocking," Strahovski tells The Hollywood Reporter. "I think fans of 24 have grown to expect the unexpected. It's safe to say not everyone makes it out alive."
PHOTOS 24: Jack Bauer's 24 Most Insane Moments
Strahovski's character, Kate Morgan, has become a fan favorite, and she credits star Kiefer Sutherland for showing her the ropes when it comes to the series. Here, Strahovski reveals what else she can about Monday's finale, what she's learned from working with Sutherland, and which key moment she improvised.
You recently had a great episode where Kate finds out her husband was set up by Navarro. What was shooting that like?
I remember reading it and being excited and nervous at the same time. It really allowed me to do something very meaty. Especially that scene at the end of that, when I threatened to put a bullet in his head.
PHOTOS Summer TV Preview
How did you prepare for that?
We talked a lot about where Benjamin [Bratt] was going to be physically and talked about how I would approach him and put the gun to his head. "I'm going to put a bullet in your head" was not scripted. You have to be prepared to ad-lib on this show. It was hard not to swear in that scene, since it's not a swearing show — but a few swears came out.
What can you tell us about the finale?
It actually changed a bunch. There were a few different versions floating around of how this was going to wrap up. There is pressure to make something that is pretty special. It's definitely shocking. I think fans of 24 have grown to expect the unexpected. It's safe to say not everyone makes it out alive.
What has been the biggest challenge of shooting this series?
Shooting in London was the biggest challenge. Living away from home for six months and being in a city that I didn't know that well. I didn't realize how used to was to having a sunny day I was. But I ended up liking London a lot.
PHOTOS Hollywood's 100 Favorite Films
What's something you learned from working with Kiefer?
Not to be afraid to make a change if I feel like the dialogue isn't working for me. Or if I feel like it can be better in some ways. He really brings a lot to the show, not just as an actor but as a producer and with his creative input into the writing. He alters certain things to make for a better storyline.
When did you wrap on the series?
I've only made it back to California a few weeks ago, and we were shooting until the last month. The turnaround was very quick.
I know Kiefer has said he doesn't like to watch his performances. What is your policy on watching the show?
I like to watch and see how the whole thing turns out — what ends up in the show and what ends up on the cutting-room floor.
For more on the future of 24, check back to THR.com after the finale for what the series' showrunners had to say on the subject.
24: Live Another Day airs its finale Monday at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
Email: Aaron.Couch@THR.com
Twitter: @AaronCouch
