‘Umbrella Academy’ Cast Explain Series Finale and Saying Goodbye to Final Timeline

As a longtime fan of the Umbrella Academy, I must say that I was pleasantly surprised by the development of Ritu, Lila and Five’s relationship this season. It seemed unexpected at first, but in retrospect, it made perfect sense. The electric tension between them in previous seasons was palpable, so their eventual connection felt like a natural progression.

[This story contains major spoilers from Umbrella Academy season four.]

In their final battle against an imminent cosmic peril, the Umbrella Academy on Netflix delivered an explosive ending. With unity in their final stand, this band of cherished superheroes put aside their familial disputes and found common ground: To preserve the universe, they decided to sacrifice themselves. After five years of brushes with catastrophe in a precarious tapestry of timelines, the characters joined forces for one last, poignant disappearance. This culminated in an ending that echoed the unique charm of the series itself.

Drawing inspiration from the Dark Horse comic series co-written by Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá, and developed for television by Steve Blackman and Jeremy Slater, Umbrella Academy initially captivated viewers with its superhero exploits in the year 2019. This ensemble of six adopted siblings presented a unique portrayal of found family, and the series showcased a “work hard, play hard” ethos that infused the task of saving the world with an engaging mix of excitement and dread. Upon its debut, it quickly rose among Netflix’s top-streamed programs.

Five years on, The Hollywood Reporter sat down with the main cast – Elliot Page (Viktor), Justin Min (Ben), Tom Hopper (Luther), Emmy Raver-Lampman (Allison), Robert Sheehan (Klaus), David Castañeda (Diego), Aidan Gallagher (Number Five) and Ritu Arya (Lila Pitts) – to discuss the process of bidding farewell to the final, definitive timeline.

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What was your reaction when you first learned about the siblings’ fate?

Emmy Raver-Lampman shared that we didn’t find out the specifics, such as the scenes and dialogue, until just a few days prior. [Steve Blackman] intentionally kept the last pages under wraps to create a sense of authenticity and immediacy. While it was sad, it felt fitting for everyone to be together in their final moments. It seemed like a collective sacrifice, and an attempt at healing old family wounds among siblings.

TOM HOPPER I sensed it might unfold somewhat like that, possibly involving us collectively in some fashion.

AIDAN GALLAGHER Initially, we had a sense of where our characters were emotionally speaking, yet it wasn’t until filming that we truly experienced the depth of emotions. It was odd to tackle scenes where we weren’t aware of what events preceded them or their significance. However, you must rely on the team working on the show who help shape its story. After all, making a television series is a highly collaborative endeavor.

Did it feel different heading to set knowing it was the final season?

RAVER-LAMPMAN We were all thankful to begin the season, knowing it would be our final one. Nothing was ever assumed; we appreciated every moment of it. Not many productions receive this privilege.

As a devoted fan, I must share a chuckle-worthy moment from Ritu Arya’s behind-the-scenes experience. When we first stepped onto the set, an unexpected twist awaited: Aidan and I were required to shoot one of episode six’s crucial scenes before anything else! This meant we hadn’t even had the chance to delve into the first episodes yet.

Ritu, Lila and Five strike up an interesting relationship this season. Did you see that coming?

In a surprising twist, I was told by one of the creators that something extraordinary was planned for the season three premiere, which I initially assumed was a joke. However, when Steve Blackman confirmed it, I realized they weren’t kidding. Frankly, I never anticipated such an outcome. Looking back now, it all fits perfectly. The tension between Lila and Five throughout the previous seasons certainly hinted at this dramatic turn of events. It seems so fitting that they would take this course!

How did your characters feel when they began the new season, having lost their abilities following the confrontation at Hotel Oblivion in the previous one?

As a gamer, I was thoroughly captivated by Klaus’s new predicament in “The Terror of Death” narrative, where he loses his powers. This twist, crafted brilliantly by Steve and the writers, provided an exciting chance to redefine Klaus, offering him a fresh persona, a revamped appearance, a transformed demeanor, and a renewed spirit. With such a character of intense extremes, it was fascinating to witness how he’d adapt when flipped upside down in every aspect, transforming into a character reminiscent of Howard Hughes – someone who struggles to cope with his new reality.

HOPPER It seems Luther is yearning for his powers and sense of purpose, yet not his ape form. During the break between seasons three and four, we discussed with Steve where he’d place us at the start of season four. I was taken aback but also intrigued to discover what Luther had been up to.

In your own words, could you describe how the recurring theme of siblings reuniting has influenced the dynamics between your character’s relationships in this series?

Initially, I must confess, I felt a tinge of apprehension about that situation. Being an only child, with a half-sister who is two decades my junior, I never had the experience of growing up with a sibling. The sudden presence of six of them seemed overwhelming at first. However, Steve Blackman and Peter Hoar, our season one director who also handled casting, did an exceptional job in selecting the cast for the show. From day one, we connected well, and the relationship dynamics among us effortlessly found their rightful places, forming a harmonious family unit. Each sibling plays a unique role within the bond of siblingship.

As a gamer, I’d say the bond between us developed naturally, like pieces falling into place on a game board. We played together, shared victories and losses, and our relationship evolved. We discovered each other’s traits, learning about ourselves in the process, and found that our characters complemented each other perfectly. It’s almost like we have this unique team synergy – it feels like we’re not just playing a game, but growing as a family off-screen too.

As a gamer, it’s fascinating how friends can become an integral part of your journey, but siblings… oh boy, they’re the ones who witness every step of your life’s gameplay from beginning to end. I’m proud that our series managed to capture this unique bond. There’s something special about siblings too – you may find yourself at odds with them, even hating each other sometimes, but deep down there’s an unbreakable bond of love. This duality played a significant role in shaping the dynamics within our show.

As a gamer, it’s a unique experience when you’re portraying siblings on screen. It gives us the liberty to be more honest, more curious, even beyond what we might do with just friends. This authenticity seems to have seeped into our real-life interactions as well.

ELLIOT PAGE Essentially, they all share the common experience of trauma. Those closest to you often have the ability to wound you most deeply. I believe they all comprehend that their choices aren’t always ideal because they weren’t equipped with the right tools to make good decisions. So, there are periods of conflict followed by reconciliation, only for another argument to ensue, and then peace again. They inflict a lot of pain on each other, leaving many scars in their wake. Yet, these hurts also create a thick layer of healing called ‘scar tissue.’ It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, which is what makes compelling storytelling.

DAVID CASTANEDA We brought the love, we definitely brought the love.

2024-08-10 19:55

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