Warning: General spoilers ahead

Back in December of last year (yes, folks, it has been THAT long!), our heroes of Z Nation were left in some pretty dire straits in the season 2 finale. While they had technically completed their “mission” of making it to the lab in California, Murphy decides to give all of humanity the middle finger and go rogue, building his very own zombie army in the process. 10K is shot, and to top it off, there is an explosion on a military submarine, leaving a big question mark next to 10K’s fate. And, the rest of our beloved characters are ambushed and kidnapped by a group of Asian militants. Now, that is one hell of a shit day.

The good news is the wait is finally over, and season 3 premieres tomorrow night with the high-anticipated 2-hour movie. For those who do not know, production has not yet wrapped for season 3, and they actually started filming the season finale this week. Even with his still being on set and the long work days, series star Russell Hodgkinson  was still kind enough to take time out this week to chat about the new season, the big things that are coming for Doc, and all the goodness the fans have to look forward to. Check out what he had to say:

TV GEEK TALK: Now, I was at Walker Stalker Con Chicago back in May, and there was lots of discussion about the 2-hour season premiere — or “movie” as it’s being called. From what we had heard, it’s going to be entirely of flashbacks. Can you talk some about the movie?

Russell Hodgkinson: “The whole movie is a flashback. They’re calling it a ‘flashback movie.,’ and It’ll take us back to a particular point in time. Cassandra is still alive, but she’s been bitten. So, she’s under Murphy’s control. You’ll also be introduced to a couple of new characters, one being [portrayed by] Joe Gatt. He’s called ‘The Man,’ and he’s wonderful. And, a couple of other characters that you’ll see later on in the season. So, yeah, it’ll be on a wide format, kind of a different feel to it altogether. I don’t think you’ll see the eyeball at the beginning of the TV show. I haven’t seen it yet, but a lot of other people have, and the beginning is just really great. There’s action, it freezes, and then, it says our name. So, it’s a new opening to the show, more like a movie.”

TV GEEK TALK: Yeah, I’ve seen pictures of Joseph Gatt on set, and I tell you, that is one scary son-of-a-bitch. I assume he is some kind of villain that you guys had crossed paths with?

Russell Hodgkinson: “Yeah, I think he’s affiliated with Zona, and he’s on a mission himself. Great guy, wonderful actor.”

TV GEEK TALK: Now, going past the movie, where do we find our heroes once we get back to present day, which I think is next week’s episode?

Russell Hodgkinson: “We pick up right where we left off. The explosion, the Asian army has abducted us and are getting ready to interrogate us. Exactly where we left off.”

TV GEEK TALK: What about Murphy? The last time we saw him in the season 2 finale he had pretty much given up on humanity and gone off the reservation.

Russell Hodgkinson: “Murphy has pretty much gone rogue in season 3. He’s doing his own thing, and he’s morphing still into a different look. He’s morphing into whatever he eventually ends up becoming. I know he’s in that make-up chair all the time [Laughs]. He’s actually got a really drastic look which will occur later in the season. You’ll be shocked and be like ‘Oh my God!’, just like when we go into the make-up trailer and see him and be like ‘What!’ [Laughs]”

TV GEEK TALK: Oh, no, he’s probably in the make-up chair even longer now!

Russell Hodgkinson: “Oh, yeah, he spends a lot of time in there. But, yeah, Murphy’s going rogue and doing his own thing, and we’re still on our mission to find him. We’re also going back to get Lucy. The team splits up a lot this season, and we go off on our own little missions. Of course, we get back together and stay in contact as much as we can. So, yeah, we have our own missions, and it’s kind of a different way to do it, different from what you’re used to.”

TV GEEK TALK: You mentioned Lucy. Now, that is one character that fans are very excited about seeing this season. Can you talk some about Lucy? When should we expect to see her again in season 3?

Russell Hodgkinson: “I don’t think you’ll see her immediately. I have the worse memory, Mary, honest-to-God [Laughs]. The interesting thing about Lucy that they’re doing is it seems the more stress she’s under, the faster she grows. There’s like 3 different age ranges for Lucy in the season, and some wonderful actresses have taken on that challenge.”

TV GEEK TALK: Oh, so a different actress had to portray each age range?

Russell Hodgkinson: “Oh, yeah. And, maybe not different age ranges but different ages like 7, 9, 12, and I think we have a 14 year-old now. Also, Addy and Doc have a great episode where we go back for Lucy. That’s a really fun one where we finally get to see what she’s been up to. The way she interacts with the zombies, very interesting, you’ll love it.”

TV GEEK TALK: Now, let’s talk some about your character, Doc. With everything that has happened, how should we expect your character to evolve or change this season, if at all?

Russell Hodgkinson: “You know, Doc really doesn’t change much at all. He’s pretty much who he’s always been. I’m just getting a lot more screen time, I can tell you that. Doc’s back in a big way. ”

TV GEEK TALK: Yes, I had heard that! I think I had read that Doc may be getting an expanded storyline or arc this season. Is that true? Can you tease some about that?

Russell Hodgkinson: “Well, I can tell you that Doc gets laid [Laughs]. Yes, Doc finally gets a little. A lot actually. And, then, there’s a little bit of a love interest for Doc as well. It’s brief and short-lived, and it’s almost like 2 ships that pass in the night. But, it’s a really sweet, really nice moment in really wonderful episode where we meet. Had it not been the apocalypse or any other time, I’m sure he would have been interested in seeing her again. But, as it happens, we have to move on. We have to continue with the mission. But, it’s a really sweet moment with this wonderful actress from Seattle, whom I knew anyways. So, I had a nice comradery and nice chemistry with her. It was really, really sweet, kind of unexpected actually. We were able to do more than what was actually on the page, and the directors were more than happy to accommodate us.”

TV GEEK TALK: Now, is this relationship the same one where you have the physical relationship?

Russell Hodgkinson: “No, no, that one is more of a seduction [Laughs]. But, yeah, it’s pretty wild. Wilder than I ever imagined.”

TV GEEK TALK: There’s also been a lot of chatter about some new characters in Season 3. Now, we know about the new Asian characters, but what about any others? Can you talk some about this?

Russell Hodgkinson: “Well, 10K has a new love interest. She’s called ‘The Girl In Red,’ and you’ll be introduced to her in the movie. There is another character that is kind of like her little brother who she moves around with. He’s not her real brother, but she kind of sees him that way. Then, he’s an interesting character too. But, yeah, those 2 and Joe Gatt, and also, the wonderful Emilio Rivera will be back whom we adore, and he’s just terrific. Such a wonderful, positive spirit to have on set. Good energy, great guy. So, we’re excited to have him back.”

TV GEEK TALK: I think Karl Schaefer had mentioned that he was going to try and bring back Sketchy and Skeezy as well.

Russell Hodgkinson: “Oh, yeah. They have an episode that will air around election time [Laughs]. Yeah, look for them around election time, and there’s a political story around it too. It’ll go over nicely. It’s a perfect little coupling of current events and our show. Yeah, you’ll love that episode. And, it ‘s actually the same episode where I have my little love interest.”

TV GEEK TALK: Hmm… That’s interesting. Now, you’ve got me really curious.

Russell Hodgkinson: “[Laughs] Those guys, you never know what they’re up to. But, it’s so great to have them back, they’re so funny.”

TV GEEK TALK: Now, just a very fun, open question. If you could describe Season 3 with just 5 words or 5 adjectives, what would they be?

Russell Hodgkinson: “Intense. Funny. Action-packed. Unexpected. But, yeah, you know what our show is. It puts the fun back into the apocalypse. A lot of new, interesting kinds of zombies. And, boy, we have some humdingers, I tell you. There’s a couple that will definitely be in the zombie fun pack. You know, collect all 12 [Laughs].”

Season 3 of Z Nation  kicks off tomorrow night with a 2-hour movie titled “No Mercy” starting at 8/7c on Syfy. Also, be sure to check out the below interviews with Executive Producer and Showrunner Karl Schaefer and series stars Anastasia Baranova and Pisay Pao.

RELATED NEWS:
Z Nation: Pisay Pao Talks Cassandra, The 10K Relationship And Possible Flashback Episodes [Exclusive]

Z Nation: Anastasia Baranova Talks Season 3, Those “Movie” Rumors And What’s Next For Addy [Exclusive]

Z Nation Post-Mortem: Showrunner Karl Schaefer Talks El Scorpion, Tea Parties, And Teasers for Season 3[EXCLUSIVE]

Season 3 Premiere “No Mercy” Photos:

 

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