‘Legacies’ Star Danielle Rose Russell Teases What’s Next for Hope in Season 4

Legacies is again, child! After Season 3 of The CW’s supernatural collection was minimize quick, the ultimate 4 episodes of the season have been kicked to Season 4, beginning with tonight’s premiere episode, “You Have To Choose One This Time”. And because the episode kicks off, Hope Mikaelson (Danielle Rose Russell) is coping with a couple of critical subject; however the largest is that she might must turn into a tribrid, a combo of vampire, witch and werewolf, that will imply she’ll (quickly) must die.

“You’re going to see Hope in a totally new manner,” Russell teased to Decider. “I’m simply actually trying ahead to individuals seeing Hope lastly come to phrases with these items that she’s been avoiding.”

Within the hour, and spoilers previous this level, the scholars of the Salvatore faculty have captured their arch-enemy Malivore, with one catch: he’s within the type of fellow scholar, and Hope’s on-again, off-again boyfriend, Landon (Aria Shahghasemi). Collectively, they provide you with a double-edged plan: whereas their headmaster Alaric (Matt Davis) and scholar Kaleb (Chris Lee) go into the entrance of Malivore’s thoughts, Hope and MG (Quincy Fouse) will sneak in by the again, because of some magic from Lizzie (Jenny Boyd) and Josie (Kaylee Bryant). In the end, Alaric and Kaleb uncover that the true Landon remains to be round inside Malivore, however maintain that data again from Hope. And in the meantime, Hope provides up on an opportunity to search out Landon to save lots of MG’s life.

To seek out out extra concerning the huge decisions Hope confronted within the episode — in addition to those to return — learn on.

Decider: These first 4 are fairly huge ones for Hope as she begins to wrestle with probably changing into a tribrid… Clearly there’s lots of anticipation for that with the characters on the present, and the followers, however because the actor who truly performs Hope, what has that potential looming change been like for you?

Danielle Rose Russell: It’s been actually nice, truly. I’ve type of been redefining this character I’ve performed for thus lengthy, and it’s type of damaged out this stagnant vitality I felt along with her, and I’ve gotten to type of develop a brand new relationship along with her, that I’m nonetheless determining. So it’s been a pleasant problem.

To leap into the premiere, what was it like working reverse evil Landon?

That was actually enjoyable, truly. Attending to see Aria redefine his character all final season, it was a pleasure to work with as an actor. He did a very nice job with evil Landon/Malivore, that I believe followers are actually going to like.

General, lots of the premiere episode appears to be about Hope determining how one can transfer on from her co-dependence with Landon. What does that do for her now that she’s beginning to let go? Or can she by no means actually let go utterly?

I don’t know if she ever totally will be capable of let go. That relationship, and that love that she has for him is what drives the selections that she makes concerning herself and her future. I’ll say, although, it’s type of performed very separate from Landon. Simply her fulfilling and getting into this future, the legacy that she — that we’ve all been anticipating for thus lengthy. It’s very a lot her personal resolution, and it’s very a lot based mostly outdoors of simply Landon and focuses extra on her love for saving those that she would possibly even know.

The twist of the episode is that Landon is nonetheless round in Malivore, and Alaric and Kaleb are mendacity to her about it. What probably will it do to all of these relationships, as soon as Hope does truly discover out?

Yeah. I imply, it undoubtedly complicates issues. I believe that her relationship with Alaric is way more difficult than these different relationships. Which, is one in all my favourite dynamics to play with. I like the Hope and Alaric dynamic, and I really feel like we haven’t actually seen them work collectively as a lot since Season 1. So it’s been very nice to have the ability to have that relationship be tumultuous at instances. Be slightly bit tense, but additionally be actually lovely. There are such a lot of lovely moments which can be developing for them. In order that’s actually thrilling.

I did wish to ask you about that as a result of he actually began as a father determine, a mentor for her. At this level, are they extra equals? How do you see the connection?

Fairly difficult. It’s an excellent query, truly, that I don’t get requested fairly often. In a manner I type of see them as equals, however I believe there’ll at all times be part of each Hope and Alaric that feels that father-daughter bond. I believe that Hope actually respects Alaric in lots of methods. And I believe Alaric respects Hope, and seeing that relationship be simply as difficult as it’s, it’s a metaphor for the issues in individuals’s lives and the way households are by no means cookie cutter and ideal. And seeing that difficult relationship develop has been among the best joys of enjoying Hope.

The previous few episodes of Season 3, and it picks up right here actually properly, actually digs again into the triumvirate of Hope, Lizzie and Josie. What’s it like attending to work with Kaylee Bryant and Jenny Boyd on these scenes?

It was good. I actually like Hope having friendships. And I believe that was actually amplified final yr, and seeing how Lizzie and Josie actually help Hope has been very nice, to see them preventing for her as nicely. Within the first couple of episodes, you undoubtedly see that relationship put to work so far as, they made the promise of supporting her by all these ups and downs, they usually undoubtedly do.

In the direction of the tip of the episode, there’s this actually beautiful scene the place Lizzie asks Hope to hang around whereas she falls asleep, which in my thoughts appears fairly big given their previously antagonistic relationship. What’s your tackle this arc between them, and what was it like enjoying that scene?

I like the connection between Hope and Lizzie. It’s one in all my favourite relationships. And I believe that it’s type of this lovely place that they’ve gotten to over the course of the final couple of years, and simply seeing how very human moments, it’s a really human and grounded second that she’s similar to, “Hey, are you able to simply stick with me as a result of I’m going by one thing.” And Hope is rather like, “Yeah, after all.” That’s very nice, to at all times step away from the supernatural facet of issues and simply see these characters exist as human beings.

On the other of the spectrum, we have now Josie off engaged on a relationship with Finch on this episode, however she additionally brings up The Merge once more. From a viewer perspective, it looks as if with Josie probably coping with The Merge, Hope probably coping with changing into a tribrid, there may very well be some type of bonding, by way of magical fates. Is that something we must always anticipate to see because the season continues?

I don’t suppose so. Hope’s journey has been one thing greater than simply sure relationships right here and there. So whereas she does take care of it with the individuals round her, it’s very a lot so based mostly in her personal future. Josie’s feeling the very same manner, particularly along with her relationship with Finch, which is a high precedence for her. So in a manner I type of really feel like we see them respectively take care of these supernatural future challenges.

Whereas we’re working by friendships, I’m actually having fun with the friendship between Hope and Cleo… What’s it like working with Omono? And what’s it that brings these two characters collectively in your thoughts?

The Hope and Cleo dynamic was my favourite to play with final yr. Omono has been such an exquisite addition to our forged. Her story has been this lacking puzzle piece that our story has wanted for thus lengthy. I imply, it’s actually simply been so refreshing to have a brand new character that’s driving the story ahead, and Omono is fantastic to work with. So I’m very excited to see how that relationship performs out, as nicely.

I do know these episodes have been filmed some time again, and clearly have been such a problem to movie in COVID. Has that gotten any smoother now that you just’re tackling the Season 4 episodes, or is it the identical type of factor?

It’s the identical for type of concern surrounding going to work each single day. Particularly as actors and other people inside this very extremely at-risk zone, simply being with out our masks and stuff… That’s one thing that we’re going to face for a really very long time, simply given the character of the world. However I’ll say that folks may have actually discovered their groove with COVID restrictions and redefining our relationship in a brand new world of Hollywood. In a manner, it’s good to see all of humanity introduced collectively, and individuals who have come again even after the pandemic, seeing that loyalty has been very nice.

Trying ahead, as a result of we’re basically wrapping up Season 3 right here after which heading into Season 4… What else are you able to tease concerning the subsequent batch of episodes for Hope as she tries to take down Malivore, as soon as and for all?

You’re going to see Hope in a totally new manner. I believe that followers are going to fall in love with Hope in a brand new manner. I actually developed a respect for her on the very finish of, or I assume the start of Season 4. And I believe that followers will really feel the very same manner. I’m simply actually trying ahead to individuals seeing Hope lastly come to phrases with these items that she’s been avoiding

This interview has been edited for readability and size.

Legacies airs Thursdays at 9/8c on The CW.

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