Attention, job recruiters; a new applicant is about to enter the market.
Timothy Olyphant, who has played U.S. marshal Raylan Givens on the FX drama “Justified” for five seasons, is preparing to wrap up his current gig with the sixth and final season of the series, which premieres Tuesday at 10 p.m.
With three more episodes of the final season to shoot, the actor is currently eyeing what’s next after he hangs up his badge.
“I’m unemployed, I need work,” Olyphant told TheWrap.
Luckily, he has a pretty solid résumé. TheWrap spoke with Olyphant about what to expect on the final season of “Justified” and what’s next for the actor after this.
TheWrap: You’re pretty close to finishing filming the final season of “Justified.” What can you say about how this last run plays out?
Timothy Olyphant: It’s pretty good. What do you want to know?
Where is it going, particularly with Raylan?
Everyone’s in a bit of a jam. And I think we’re looking at Boyd real seriously; he’s not in a good spot. Ava’s kind of stuck in the middle of it. She’s not in a good spot. A bunch of new folks come to town; as always, that kind of widens the scope. Same-old, same-old.
Does Raylan come out of this last season a changed man at all?
I don’t think that cat’s gonna change much. I don’t think that’s in cards.
Do you think you’re going to go through Walt Goggins withdrawal when this is all over, after working with him on the show for so long?
Walt Goggins withdrawal? I love working with him. He’s one of the good ones.
Have you talked with him about processing the fact that it’s all coming to an end?
Not really. When I say not really, I mean no — not at all. We haven’t talked about it.
Do you think you will at some point before it’s over?
Probably not.
“Justified” had a lot of loyal fans who are very disappointed that the show is coming to an end. What would you say to them to ease the pain?
Oh, I don’t know. There’s a lot of good stuff on TV from what I’ve been told. So, they’ll be alright. But, I do appreciate that sentiment. It’s better than people coming up to you and asking if you’re still on the air. “I like that show — are you guys still on the air? Are you still doing it? Whatever happened to that show?” “Yeah, we’re on the air, we’re doing it.” “Oh, good, I’ll have to check that out.”
After playing Raylan for so many years, is there anything about the character, any traits, that you feel like you’ve inherited from him?
We both got older as we went, I’ll take that with me. No, not that I can think of.
Is there anything you’re going to miss about playing him?
I’m going to miss working with these folks; they’ve done a great job, and I’ve been spoiled. For six years, I’ve been spoiled. I’ll miss it.
What’s next for you after “Justified”?
I’m unemployed, I need work. I don’t know what I’m doing next, I’m being serious.
Do you feel like you could use a break after being on this long of a run?
No, I like my job. Yeah. And the kids don’t want me around that much.
The final season of “Justified” premieres Tuesday at 10 p.m. on FX.