ThroughoutEvilsfour seasons, one of the most fascinating characters has always been Sheryl Luria, played by Christine Lahti.
I was so shocked and sad, because I love her.
I love being on the show.
Sheryl (Christine Lahti) in her glass-ceilinged office. © Elizabeth Fisher/Paramount+
I love the character, especially this fourth season.
Read on for more of io9s interview with Lahti.
Cheryl Eddy, io9: In the end, do you think Sheryl was finally at peace?
“Rad G” introducers her granddaughters to her grandson: Timothy, the Antichrist. Photo: Elizabeth Fisher/Paramount+
Christine Lahti:I do think she was at peace.
She wanted two things: [first,] she wanted to bring down Leland.
[Shes] been playing the long game on that, I think, for many seasons.
“Rad G” introducers her granddaughters to her grandson: Timothy, the Antichrist. Photo: Elizabeth Fisher/Paramount+
I think she got it.
io9: Her relationship with Leland went from romance to frenemies to full-on deadly enemies.
What was it like being on that roller-coaster?
Lahti:Really fun.
First of all, Michael Emerson is a complete dream to work with.
Hes completely present and fearless and game to try anything.
But it was so fun because [Sheryl and Leland] were supposed to get married.
And then the way he broke up with her, I think was the dealbreaker.
And I will bring you down, motherfucker, at any cost.
And I think thats the long game shes been playing.
io9: Im glad you brought up the backstory because I was going to ask you about that.
Lahti:I think the father waswe got divorced, in my mind.
I dont think he was very much a feminist.
And I think he undervalued and mistreated and maybe even abused Sheryl.
And I think she was just determined to get power over these men and specifically [Leland].
How do you think she was able to balance out such opposing actions?
She kept saying, I will never see you again if you continue this relationship with this man.
But Sheryl had to continue her relationship with him to get to bring him down.
So she was able to justify all indirect things that happened to Kristen because of her actions.
Her granddaughters, she just wanted to empower and to protect.
I mean, she didnt kill him.
She just put him on a shelf and drained his brain fluid.
Whats the big deal?
io9: I loved the scenes with Rad G and the granddaughters.
What was it like performing with those four young actresses?
There was so much improv, and theyre all so gifted, and I got very close to them.
I will miss them.
io9: Sheryl was by far the best-dressed character onEvil.
Did you have any input into the costume choices?
Lahti:Dan Lawson is an extraordinary costume designer.
And we would go into the fitting room and just play.
He loved to push the boundaries for Sheryl.
She was a scrappy kind of street fighter.
io9: The bulletproof dress was great.
Or knife-proof, I guess.
Lahti:Knife proof?
It wasnt, as it turned out, bulletproof.
But she knew that Lelands weapon of choice would be a knife.
New episodes ofEvilarrive Thursdays on Paramount+.
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