Raylan Givens likely won’t be facing off against his old foes before he hangs up his badge.
With the FX drama “Justified” heading into its final season (which premieres Tuesday), the cast and producers of the show gathered at the Television Critics Association press tour in Pasadena on Sunday to discuss, among other topics, what viewers can expect during the last go-around.
One thing fans shouldn’t look forward to: Older characters, such as former adversaries of Timothy Olyphant‘s U.S. marshal character Givens, showing up as an homage to past seasons.
“No,” executive producer Graham Yost asserted when the topic was broached. “That was one of the talks that we had … we didn’t want this to be the greatest hits. But that said, there are characters that could come in because they’re a part of that world.”
The final season does, however, have a pair of new cast members in the form of Garret Dillahunt and Sam Elliott, the latter of whom plays a legendary Kentucky gangster who returns from exile. Olyphant admitted that it’s intimidating to have the iconic western actor come aboard, though for reasons that one might not expect.
“I’m fucked now, because I’ve been stealing from him for years, and now I’m standing next to him, and it’s obvious,” Olyphant joked.
While the show’s writers said that the finale isn’t written yet, at least they know that the series will have a proper ending — unlike Olyphant’s previous series, “Deadwood,” which had an infamously abrupt demise. Olyphant reflected on the contrast, noting, “I will say it is nice knowing that the show has the opportunity to know the end is coming. Usually when things end I’m not the first person to find out. I think it’s wonderful to just be able to see the finish line and enjoy it.”
And just as Raylan Givens’ future is yet to be determined, so, too, is that of the actor who plays him. Asked if he was prepared, Olyphant cracked, “All I’m prepared for is that I’m unemployed in a few weeks. I’m going to have to take some shitty-ass fucking jobs. all the jobs that I said ‘no’ to over the last five years, I’m going to say ‘yes’ to.