Ian Collins Talks ‘Snowpiercer’ Season 4 and What to Expect in the Final Episodes [Interview]

Nearly four and a half years after its pilot, AMC’s Snowpiercer is ending. Throughout the series, we’ve been introduced to many beloved characters, out-of-this-world situations, and stellar performances from its star-studded cast.

One of those beloved characters we’ll be saying goodbye to is Tristan, the right-hand man for Ruth, who slowly evolved throughout four seasons from a simple secondary character to one fans have real emotion for.

I recently had the chance to sit down with Ian Collins, who portrays Tristan, to discuss the impact of his time on the series, how his character has evolved, and what fans can expect from the final episodes.

One facet of the series that fans might not know is the immense development struggles it’s experienced since Season 1. Most recently, the series was forced on a long-term hiatus after it was dropped by TNT and forced to find a new home.

Ultimately, Snowpiercer found its place with AMC two years after the final episode of Season 3.

All of these aspects have not deterred fans from tuning in, but just as it shocked them, it also surprised the series’ cast.

Collins says they filmed the final season in 2022 and that he was in New Zealand at the time of the Deadline article with the news breaking.

“I was shocked at first because there was a preview that came out the month before, so I was already starting to promote the show,” said Collins. “Then I was a little disappointed because I am a fan of the show. So, as a fan, my fan brain was like, ‘I want to watch it. Why? Why can’t it come out?'”

“As an actor, once you do ADR, you know that it’s going through the final stages. Once you see a trailer and you see your face in the trailer, you’re like, ‘Oh, it’s coming out. Yay. Okay, great.’ So, I was shocked, but it feels like a good move for the show, and as a fan, knowing that more potential shows and wherever AMC wants to take it now, they can do more with it potentially. AMC seems right for the series,” Collins continued.

One of the most pleasing aspects of getting to work on the final season was knowing it was the end when filming began. Unlike many other TV cancellations that happen after a season airs, Snowpiercer was given the opportunity to wrap the series up cohesively and give everyone a proper send-off.

“It’s nice to reminisce on how we were feeling and how my thought process was back then. It’s been such a privilege to be on such a large studio production from season one all the way to the end. I mean, I’m surprised that Tristan made it this far,” Collins said.

During our chat, Collins revealed Tristan was initially supposed to be written off, but he was spared due to the COVID-19 pandemic and their inability to film.

“Tristan was originally killed off in a script where Mr. Wilford was going to – Tristan did something wrong; there was this big fight scene, and he ended up dead,” Collins recalled.

“So for me, it’s like a full circle moment of all the things that have happened in these last five or six years and reminiscing. It’s a fan finale, and I’m so excited that it’s finally coming out, and I get to see it as well because I’m a fan.”

Collins also revealed that his character was initially supposed to spend much more time beside Jennifer Connelly’s character, Melanie before being paired with Alison Wright’s Ruth.

“In the original scripts, Tristan did spend more time with Melanie. So, it would have been interesting to see if that stayed and having more time with Jennifer. I think that would have been interesting. There was also a scene originally written with Sean [Bean]. I didn’t have much time with Sean, so that would have been an interesting scene to do,” Collins said.

Despite those plans falling through, he described his time alongside Wright as one of the best things about being part of the series.

“It has been amazing to spend most of my time with Alison. She’s top-rated and one of the best actresses out there. So, to be able to work with her for five years was absolutely a blessing.”

We’ve seen Tristan in many different capacities during his time aboard Snowpiercer and Big Alice, but most notable is the transition from just an assistant who follows orders to an undercover operative working with the world’s best interest at heart and helping sabotage the antagonist of the season: Admiral Milius.

Tristan is last seen on Snowpiercer Season 4 Episode 6, “Bell the Cat,” helping etch the inscription for Ben into the engine room of Big Alice after he escapes from Milius’ clutches along with Ruth and others.

“There was such a change in Tristan this season. Instead of being this constant hidden figure and shadow of somebody else, he really comes into his own. And I think we’re seeing a new flip as to what Tristan is as a hero and what he thinks a hero is,” Collins said.

“I always quote things from Wizard of Oz, and I’ve always seen him as the Cowardly Lion, where he needs something to give him that oomph, to see that actual lion part. But I’ve always been a firm believer that Tristan is a lion. He’s somebody who’s hiding and pretending to be smaller, and that’s his defense mechanism. But he really is fiercely protective and loyal.”

Teasing what fans can expect in the remaining three episodes, Collins says we will see more of Tristan’s bravery, him in New Eden, and a special series finale created with the fans in mind.

“A lot of shows don’t get to know that they’re ending. Especially now, a lot of shows don’t even get four seasons, so the fans are going to absolutely love this. And I know that because I am a fan. I remember when I got the script by me and my partner read it both, and we were just like, ‘Oh, it’s a great ending, great ending,'” Collins said.

Outside of Snowpiercer, Collins has an active career in the Movie of the Week genre, crediting it as a pivotal part of his career.

“They’re the reasons I’m able to get on shows. They were my first fan base and my first real involvement in film and television. So, I have such a passion for them and love doing them a lot.”

He’s currently filming Return to Sender, which is poised to premiere on UpTV on October 27. 

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Snowpiercer airs Sundays at 10/9c on AMC.

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