Episode Report Card Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Bride of Kiefer speaks
By Gustave | Season 1 | Episode 25 | Aired on 05.30.2002
The day after the final episode aired, I spoke to Leslie again.
Gustave: So did you know you were dead when we spoke?
Leslie: Not exactly. My death was going to be one of the alternative endings, so I knew it was a possibility. And it had a lot to do with whether or not the show got picked up. I mean, there were all these rumors that one of us -- either me, Sarah, Carlos, or Elisha -- wouldn't be back next season. To be perfectly honest, I had no idea it was me. I mean, I was pregnant, for crying out loud. They never kill the pregnant lady. I was pretty shocked when I found out, but it really was the best thing for the plot. It was just the best thing artistically for the show. We shot this scene where me and Kiefer reunite, and it just didn't work as well.
So when did you find out?
We were shooting a scene, and Joel Surnow was there. It was the end of the day, and it's rare that you see Joel on the set that late in the day. So I made some joke about Joel working late and he goes, "Actually, I'd like to have a word with you." And it was in that -- I don't know -- tone where you know what's coming next.
Like when they tell you to report to personnel and then they close the door behind you and hand you a tissue?
Yeah. But I still couldn't believe that I was getting cut. I'm pregnant. They never kill the pregnant lady. So I made this joke to the cast and crew. I was like, "Bye, guys! I'm going off to get fired!" And then I was. I felt so stupid.
You know, it almost made watching 24 a lot like watching Survivor. On the one hand, you care what happens to the characters, but you're also seeing certain actors you like voted off the island, so to speak.
Yeah. It was really touch-and-go. At one point they had a meeting with Sarah and told her that she was going to be the second mole. So she comes back from this meeting and tells me and Carlos that she's the second mole, and we felt so bad for her, because obviously that meant that she was going to be killed or something. But then she said, "Oh no, they told me that I wasn't going to die or anything. I'll still be back next year. They said they were keeping me around." So we just didn't know what to say.
And it was really awkward there for a while, because I was calling people about work and everyone just assumed that I was locked into 24 for another year. They'd be like, "Oh, but you're not available, are you?" and I'd say, "Uh, no, but could I come in a read anyway?" It was frustrating.