Best known as Pansy Parkinson in the final three Harry Potter films, Scarlett Byrne joins TNT’s increasingly popular sci-fi series Falling Skies. In season 4, Byrne plays an older Alexis Glass-Mason (Lexi), a mysterious young woman with special powers and an unusual connection to the alien invaders. As a new series regular, Byrne’s Lexi is a pivotal role that underscores the entirely different look and feel of the show’s fourth season. In this one-on-one interview, Byrne provides some interesting clues as to what Falling Skies fans can expect in season 4.
So you went from a witch in Harry Potter to a half alien in Falling Skies. What attracted you to the role of the older Lexi?
Scarlett Byrne: It’s been quite a mix of characters for me. First off, Lexi is very cool. There’s really so much to her. She’s definitely not one-dimensional. She has a lot of layers. At the very beginning, she’s very complex. There’s a lot to know and understand about her. As an actress, it was fun and interesting getting to know more about her. Her character has developed so much. She’s supposed to be this child, but she’s grown very rapidly and she has these powers. All this really attracted me to the role, far more so than just playing an average, normal character.
Were you a follower of Falling Skies?
Scarlett: It’s interesting because when the show was first being advertised in London, I remember recording the first couple of episodes. I watched them but then I stopped. It wasn’t until this all came about that I remembered watching the show. Then I totally binged watched season one through three in the first two weeks before we started shooting, and I was totally hooked.
The whole white hair blowing in the wind and Lexi’s mysterious demeanor suggests she’s got some terrible alien secret. Can you give us a clue as to what that might be?
Scarlett: That verges on spoiler territory, sorry.
So how much of Lexi is human and how much is alien?
Scarlett: I can’t really break it down into what percentage Lexi is human and alien. Throughout the season, she really struggles to become more human. I think it’s not until she hangs out and spends time with the 2nd mass and her friends and family that she becomes more in touch with her human side. The alien side does take over at times. Throughout the season, she’ll have this message of peace and unity, and she really wants everyone to believe and understand her message. But at the same time, she’s just as confused as everyone else in terms of trying to get people to understand where she’s coming from. There’s this two-sided thing where she has her dad, her mom and her brother saying, “what’s going on, what are you all about?” All she wants to do is impart this message that if you follow her, everything will be okay.
Does Lexi know what’s going on with her?
Scarlett: She does. But it’s definitely a learning curve. She’s really innocent and naïve about what she has. She’s like a child. She has this ethereal feel to her. She doesn’t speak like everyone else. At the same time, she’s trying to fully understand what she’s capable of and what she’s meant to do.
Do you get to read the scripts two or three episodes out?
Scarlett: We get the script for the upcoming episode a couple of days before the read through. When I flew to Vancouver, we talked about my character and where she was going. I found out where she would end up, but I had no idea what was going to happen to her in the middle of the season. There are some big surprises and I hope the fans enjoy her character because it will definitely be fun.
Does Lexi have any connection to the Volm? To the Espheni?
Scarlett: She does have a relationship with the Espheni, but not too long. In the second episode, we see her meeting with an Overlord. If you watch the second episode, I’m sure you’ll be thoroughly surprised and pleased, I hope.
Can you give us a hint about what happens between Lexi and Lourdes?
Scarlett: I can tell you about the relationship, but not what happens between them. Lexi and Lourdes have a very special relationship. More than any other character, Lourdes has definitely changed the most. She’s now back in touch with her more spiritual side, but not how she was in the previous season. A lot of this has to do with Lexi, her cause and her message. Lourdes is definitely her number one follower, her right-hand woman, and she feels she has to protect Lexi. She birthed her and was there for Lexi from the very beginning. And, of course, Lexi saved Lourdes from those alien eye worms. So they have this special connection and they love each other. Lourdes is the only character throughout last season who never questioned Lexi about who she is and what she was doing.
Will Lexi have a love interest?
Scarlett: No. The way I see Lexi is that she’s like this child and there’s nothing sexual about her. That’s not what she’s about. She’s more about the message and where she’s coming from.
Season 4 of FallingSkies premieres Sunday, June 22 at 10/9c
Alex A. Kecskes is a published author of "Healer a Novel" and "The Search for Dr. Noble"—both now available on Amazon. He has written hundreds of film reviews and celebrity interviews for a wide variety of online and print outlets. He has covered red carpet premieres and Comic-Con events for major films and independent releases.
