The following contains spoilers for Legacies Season 4, Episode 20, "Just Don't Be A Stranger, Okay?," which aired Thursday, June 16 on The CW.
Hope Mikaelson, portrayed by Danielle Rose Russell, is one of a kind. The daughter of werewolf-vampire hybrid Klaus Mikaelson (Joseph Morgan) and Hayley Marshall-Kenner (Phoebe Tonkin), she eventually became the world's first witch-werewolf-vampire. Despite evolving into this immensely powerful individual, Hope struggled with the evil reputation associated with the Mikaelson name.
On Legacies, Hope seemed to find a home, purpose, identity, and friends among the supernatural students of The Salvatore Boarding School for the Young & Gifted. Sadly, after four seasons of mystical hijinks and battling demons and monsters, Legacies was not renewed for a fifth season. Last night's "Just Don't Be A Stranger, Okay?" served as the show's series finale. Russell recently spoke with CBR about Hope's journey, what scene had her in tears, and the character's future.
CBR: Last week's episode was super action-oriented, with the Super Squad defeating the god Ken (Luke Mitchell). How happy were you that they slowed things down for a more personal love letter to the characters in the finale?
Danielle Rose Russell: I think it's exactly how it should have been. Knowing what we know now, that it is the end, I would have been really disappointed if our show and this whole universe ended with such an action-heavy episode. I was happy it was, just as you said, a love letter to Legacies.
Alaric (Matthew Davis) proposed closing the Salvatore School down. How did that sit with Hope?
Not well. This has been her home since she was a kid and her parents died. Alaric has been a father figure to her. It's very personal for her. It does not sit well with her.
Hope has had this love/hate relationship with the institution. What do you feel it meant to her at this point?
At this point, it means home and her family. In the finale, it's the first time where I felt like I was playing Hope, where she was at peace in her life. She's finally found her footing, for the first time, and is OK and has come to terms with some pretty heavy things in her life. She has seen so much in such a short period of life, so the Salvatore School feels like the home she has always wanted.
There are numerous goodbyes between Hope and Landon (Aria Shahghasemi), Alaric, and even her deceased father, Klaus. Which one choked you up the most?
The ones I cried out when I read Hope's goodbyes were with Klaus and Landon. When I read the script, and when I watched it, I cried because I feel like Hope and Klaus have been the heart of two shows. It feels like The Originals was Hope and Klaus. Even on Legacies, Klaus has carried on in her life and has lived through her and her struggle with coping with his death. So, the one that hits home the most is definitely between Hope and Klaus.
As Aria and I were filming our last few scenes together, I really did feel the sadness of saying goodbye to Hope and this person she's been in love with. Even though they are not in a relationship at this point, it did feel like they were saying their goodbyes for the moment. It's hard to pick, but I would say the biggest one is between Hope and Klaus.
Hope and Landon's romance has experienced its ups and downs and its fair share of obstacles. What were your thoughts on where they ended up?
It's definitely unique. It's not a typical or usual way for two characters that have been in a relationship for so long to end up. I do think it was right for the characters at the time. I'm very big on that. I felt like it wasn't the right time for Hope to be with anyone. It was a great period for her to experience the joy of being alone. This is the first time in her life that she's comfortable with that, and that's beautiful. It was definitely, "I love you. We are equals in life right now. It's just that our paths aren't crossing at the moment. That's not to say never."
Klaus sent Hope a special message from beyond. How surprised were you about how that all came together?
I was surprised. I did not know if Joseph would be willing to come back. I totally respect why. I think we asked a couple of times, and he made it very clear he had told his story. So, when it actually happened, I was surprised. I am so happy it did, though, because it brings a huge emotional weight to the episode. It's everything the fans and characters needed to be able to say their goodbyes to such a special relationship.
How did the last day of filming go for you? Was there any moment that snuck up on you?
The whole last week -- I think we wrapped on a Wednesday -- so that whole Monday through Wednesday, I cried at every goodbye, at every time someone had a series wrap. I'm just an emotional person. The last few days were very bittersweet and deeply emotional but also exciting. Our last day was a scene between Aria and I. That did feel right. Our first shot, in our first scene of the show, was between Hope and Landon. It felt right to end it that way.
The series fades out on Hope welcoming new students into the school. What did you make of that final moment?
It was good. It felt like, for the first time, the show ended in a happy way with everyone comfortable in their own journeys and where they were at. For some fans, they will really appreciate that.
Showrunner Brett Matthews feels that the Vampire Diaries property will probably live on in some form or another. How open would you be to revisiting the character sometime down the line?
I would be very open to revisiting her. I guess I feel like we didn't get the full ending experience on the show. I would be very curious to know where she is further down her journey. I have a great working relationship with all of the creators. I would absolutely say yes. There's also a small part of me that does feel like we told her story, and I want to respect that story, as well. It would definitely have to feel right to whatever came next.
Assuming a time jump was part of that tapestry, where do you believe Hope would be five years from now?
That was actually, more than likely, part of our show. I did think a lot about it. I always selfishly wanted her to step away from the Salvatore School. While Legacies obviously focuses on the Salvatore School, I would have loved to see Hope existing in the real world and maybe even going to college, or if not college, traveling. There would be this hugely supernatural being trying to navigate adult life. That would have been cool to see.
How would Hope have fared in college?
I do think she could have done well if she committed to it. I do always make the joke that Hope is probably a horrible student at the Salvatore School because she was never in class. I don't even know if she would ever be accepted into college because she was an awful student. I do think she is very smart and could definitely do it.
Catch Legacies on The CW.