Warning: This story contains spoilers from the season 11 finale ofBones.
The Jeffersonians favorite almost-murderer is back.
(Headherefor executive producer and co-showrunner Jonathan Colliers thoughts.)
Credit: Patrick McElhenney/FOX
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: What did you think when you heard what the writers had in mind for Zack?
And then they say, you gotta go to this makeup studio and get your head measured.
And Im asking my agent, Is it happening?
And it was like, Well, you did get your head measured.
[Laughs]
Then I finally got a script, and it was so exciting!
Up to that point, I didnt know that I was the cliffhanger.
Im the last line of the episode: You and I, we have so much to talk about.
I was like, Oh my god, this is crazy.
Do you know anything about what Zack has been up to for the past eight years?
I do, but I cant tell you.
Its really, really cool.
Have you had input in the story?
Weve already been down that road.
You have to make him the hero.
So that was their input.
They fought for my character.
Were you concerned at all when you heard about this plot?
I was like, Well, this episodes going to befun.
Playing that scene was fantastic, and playing this next episode is going to be so much fun.
Were you hoping that youd get the chance to revisit Zack?
It was exciting that hed left that opportunity.
But I did think I came back for three more episodes.
But they havent seen Zack in real time since that episode at the beginning of season 4.
So its been, what, eight years?
I just thought, after that long people would say, Are you coming back?
And I was like, You know what?
Probably not, because its been so long.
I was hoping that Id be in the series finale, but I was worried.
I literally immediately emailed my agent back, Holy crap.
No, I mean, not really.
But then Michael Peterson gave an interview, and he said one of the nicest things.
And then he said in that article, Im going to do everything I can to bring him back.
So I was like, Now can I tell people?
But I couldnt, because I cant tell people the context.
My husband and I really want to tell people to watch it, but we cant give it away.
But he posted on Facebook he didnt say anything about me being on the show.
He just said, With Trump speaking at the convention, Im going to watchBonesinstead.
I did, but so much has happened to him, and hes older.
I look older, because I am older.
There was an episode recently where they showed a picture of Zack.
It was like a documentary, and TJ talked about Zack, and they showed some pictures.
I was like, Im so young!
I dont look like that anymore.
And then I thought, No, but Im not supposed to look like that anymore.
One of the things that was kind of funny was David Boreanaz directed it.
Hes a great director, and Emilys directing this next one, which is exciting.
So when Im doing this scene with Emily, Im not even looking at her.
Im looking at this piece of tape saying, You and I have so much to talk about.
Youve worked with David as a director before, because he directed the 100th episode.
Whats that experience like?
Oh, he is great.
So hes really fun.
I think hes my favorite of all of the directors weve worked with.
What kind of director do you think Emily will be?
I think shes going to be great.
I think its her first, so its going to be fun.
My husband was saying, Emily loves you shes going to make you look good.
[Laughs] Thats a good point.
Have you kept in touch with the cast?
Youre going to love it.
… And Emily and I have been texting each other since I got the script.
She was very nice.
She told me to let her know if I have questions or concerns or anything.
Looking back on your time as a regular, does anything stand out to you?
The camaraderie and the friendship, working together.
And also, looking back further, Hart Hanson was really a good guy to work with.
We had some good times.
I really had to deal with it until I found the right combination of medication during the first season.
And he was so supportive, and we really got through it together.
And that was really, really nice.
Thats definitely a moment I look back on… Its going to be sad when its done.
Even though I wasnt on the show for several years, it was always a possibility.
I could always check in on the show and see everybody.
Its going to be weird when were just reruns.
Had you thought at all about how you wanted to see Zacks story wrap up?
Thats a good question.
I mean, I never thought about how they would actually make it happen.
I just wanted it to happen.
I wanted to come back.
But then like two seasons ago, Sweets got murdered.
I was like, The one guy who knows is gone!
What does that mean?
But no, I just like being surprised.
Is there anything you want to say to fans who are worried about this story for Zack?
Its going to be fun.
The episode we have coming up is a tour de force.
This is going to be the most exciting episode Ive ever gotten to do.
