Exclusive Interview: Ian Somerhalder (Lost), Part II

Ian Somerhalder, in Part I of our Exclusive Interview, talked in some detail about The Vampire Diaries (TV). Now, in Part II of our conversation, he discusses his long-awaited return to Lost (TV). Will his character, Boone, appear in flashbacks? In an alternate timeline? As a ghost or a figment of someone's imagination? The truth is that Somerhalder wasn't able to say too much about reprising his role as Boone on ABC's top-secret sci-fi show that will kick off its sixth and final season on Feb. 2 with the episode "LA X." Still, we gave it our best shot and then got Somerhalder chatting about some other topics, too. So please read on.

Our understanding is that after you left Lost you stayed in touch with all your friends from the show, but didn't tune into the episodes on a regular basis. That sound about right?

I never have time to watch it, but I don't get a chance to watch any television. When I left that show I needed to get on my life. I wasn't going to just sit and watch every single episode that they were producing. It was very bittersweet. And now, going back, I haven't had time to watch five seasons of Lost. I wish I had, but it's just not the case. I know they're doing phenomenal work and what I have seen, it's like no other television show.

You will be in up to as many as three episodes of Lost this season and are, in essence, bookending the whole thing. How glad are you to be back for the conclusion of what's really a landmark TV show?

I'm really happy to be a part of that. It's one of those things that, many years from now, you'll look back at and think, "What a great experience that was, being able to be a part of something that was that well done." And also, the people and the experiences that I took from it I will have for a very, very, very long time.

We're pretty sure you won't tell us a damn thing, but what will you be up to as Boone in your episodes, especially the season opener?

The Lost sixth-season opener is a very big episode of television. Out of respect for the show…actually, not even respect -- I think (producer) Damon (Lindelof) would shoot me if I revealed anything I'm not supposed to -- I can't really say anything. And I understand their need for secrecy, beyond a shadow of a doubt.

You're back as Boone. Dominic Monaghan is back as Charlie. Emilie de Ravin is back as Claire. How disappointed are you that it didn't work out for Maggie Grace to return as Boone's sister, Shannon?

I know. I know. I called her to talk about that. She was literally in the airport going to India to do a movie. I think she's back (home) now. I'm going to call her and talk to her about it (again). It would have been cool. It would have actually been a lot of fun to be on the set again with that Maggie Grace, and maybe not bickering. (Laughs)

What else is in the works for you? According to IMDb you've got a comedy called How to Make Love to a Woman (2010) shot and awaiting release and Cradlewood soon to roll. Are those accurate?

How to Make Love to a Woman is done and in the can. I wasn't in much of the film, but it was a really fun little experience. The guy (Scott Culver) who directed that is, I think, going to be a great director, and it was a lot of fun working with Krysten Ritter, who I adore and is a wildly talented individual. Cradlewood is a psychological thriller that may be going this spring. But other than that, man, and I say this not complaining -- I'm elated -- but there's nothing else I could possibly do than what I'm doing right now. We work five days a week on The Vampire Diaries (TV) and then travel for publicity. With that and Lost, there's nothing else right now. I think there's some really great storytelling going on both of these shows, and I'm just really happy to be a part of them.