Haley Bennett and Dominic Cooper, stars of Apple TV+ crime drama "The Last Frontier," recently shared insights into their complex characters, the challenges of filming, and their hopes for a potential second season. The show, featuring Bennett as CIA agent Sidney Scofield and Cooper as the elusive criminal Levi Hartman, also known as Havlock, is lauded for its layered storytelling and intense action.

Bennett’s career is marked by versatility, spanning from the musical rom-com Music and Lyrics to action films like The Equalizer and historical dramas such as Till. Her acclaimed performance in the psychological thriller Swallow earned her the Best Actress Award at the Tribeca Film Festival. Cooper’s impressive range includes roles in Marvel films, Mamma Mia!, and his notable turn as Jesse Custer in AMC’s "Preacher." Their on-screen chemistry as a married duo, with Sidney tracking down her husband Havlock, forms the core of the Apple TV+ series.

For Haley Bennett, understanding Sidney Scofield involved identifying subtle character quirks, such as the soda bottle filled with alcohol she carries, which spoke volumes about her secrets. Additionally, the show’s musical DNA, with specific song cues noted in Jon Bokenkamp’s script, provided audiovisual insights. Sidney is portrayed as a character defined by secrets and morally ambiguous decisions. Her assignment to Alaska introduces her to Frank Remnick, an old-school marshal who initially appears to be her opposite but is revealed to share more similarities with her as the series progresses, highlighting their mutual need. Bennett emphasized that The Last Frontier distinguishes itself by combining thrilling physical action with profound emotion and authentic human behavior, allowing audiences to genuinely connect with the characters.

Dominic Cooper approached the role of Havlock with a constant awareness of revealing just enough to maintain suspense. Early in the series, Havlock impersonates a pilot, requiring Cooper to balance a convincing performance with the element of surprise. He described the challenge of navigating the audience’s perception, especially when Havlock is initially presented in a way that could be interpreted as psychopathic. Cooper highlighted Havlock’s multifaceted background as a "Navy SEAL, mathematician, lecturer," adding layers to his mysterious persona. He relished the blend of complex emotional scenes and "kick-ass action sequences," crediting the stunt and directing work of the Hargrave brothers, particularly their expertise seen in films like Extraction.

Both actors found the show’s intricate language to be one of its most challenging aspects. Bennett, who comes from a blue-collar background and only has a high school education, struggled with the "Latin-derived, multi-sound, multi-syllable sentences" common in the script’s scientific dialogue. She humorously recounted a particular difficulty with the phrase "cover job," despite mastering more complex terms. Cooper acknowledged the intensity of the dialogue, likening it to the specialized language used by professionals like doctors, lawyers, and government officials, and praised Bennett for making it appear effortless.

Discussing the Season 1 finale, Bennett and Cooper recalled filming the dramatic "Lion King moment" where Levi saves Sidney from falling off a bridge. This climactic scene was among their last together, undertaken when they were "fried but happy." The production team, facing the dangers of filming on a real dam, ultimately constructed an elaborate dam set with a blue screen, a testament to Apple TV+’s commitment. The actors described the experience as physically demanding but emotionally resonant, as their characters’ bond had become second nature by that point.

Looking ahead to a potential Season 2, which would follow the current cliffhanger, Dominic Cooper expressed a strong desire for a prequel. His vision involves exploring the "before" – delving into how Sidney and Havlock initially met, fell in love, and the evolution of their relationship leading up to the fateful plane crash seen in Season 1. This prequel narrative, he suggested, could run concurrently with Frank Remnick’s past in Chicago.

Both actors found the Season 1 flashbacks, which offered a glimpse into their characters’ history and relationship, to be a liberating and enjoyable experience, providing a "different flavor" and a "nice breather from the Alaska world." They affectionately likened their characters’ complex romantic and espionage dynamic to "Mr. & Mrs. Smith," emphasizing the beauty of discovering how the couple fell in love despite their later dangerous circumstances.