When The Night Agent returned for its third season earlier this year, fans immediately noticed something—or rather, someone—missing. Rose Larkin, played by Luciane Buchanan, was nowhere to be found. The absence of Peter Sutherland's love interest left a noticeable hole in the series, and viewers weren't shy about voicing their disappointment. Now, with Netflix confirming that the show will end after its upcoming fourth season, Buchanan is finally breaking her silence on her character's return and the emotional journey that led her back.
In an exclusive interview with Collider, Buchanan opened up about the mixed emotions she felt when she learned Rose wouldn't be part of Season 3. The call came just two months after wrapping Season 2, catching her completely off guard. "I was like, 'I'm renewing my lease for New York. We're going to do Season 3 here.' And then it was like, 'We can't find a way to bring your character back,'" she recalled. "It was such a mixed thing. I think ultimately it's your ego that's like, 'Wait, was I bad? Is this character not worth diving into?'"
The news hit especially hard because Buchanan had felt a sense of security after two seasons as a lead. "Financially, it was a tough time in the industry, so your brain goes into stress mode," she admitted. "I thought I was in this safe bubble of being a lead on the show." But the experience also taught her a valuable lesson about the unpredictable nature of Hollywood. "It was a nice reminder that in this industry, specifically being an actor, so much is out of your hands."
Despite the initial sting, Buchanan chose to handle the situation with grace. She acknowledged that the decision came from higher up and wasn't worth holding a grudge over. "I've watched a lot of women on the show have similar experiences," she explained. "I don't think it's a question of whether they were bad or not. It's just the way that they want to tell the story." Still, she couldn't help but wonder, "Why is it all the ladies come in?"
Fan outrage over Rose's absence was swift and loud. Buchanan revealed that she receives messages about it every day. "I'm like, 'I can't say anything,'" she said, laughing. But the outcry clearly made an impact. Netflix ultimately reversed course, bringing Rose back for the fourth and final season—a move that many fans see as correcting the show's biggest misstep.
The Night Agent has been a flagship action series for Netflix, especially after the cancellation of The Recruit. While viewership has dipped slightly since its explosive first season, the show remains a major player in the streaming landscape. Its fourth season will be its last, giving Buchanan and star Gabriel Basso a chance to wrap up Peter and Rose's story properly.
Buchanan also reflected on how she landed the role in the first place. At the time, she was struggling to make ends meet and taking whatever work she could find. "I was like, 'I need to pay rent.' I know people in the industry, and I'd just call them and be like, 'Do you need a driver or do you need this? I can be a script editor. I've never done that in my life, but I'll give it a go,'" she said. "That's very New Zealand, like, 'I've never worked in lighting. I'll give it a go,' kind of thing. And that's when The Night Agent audition came in."
For fans who've been waiting for Rose's return, the wait is almost over. All three seasons of The Night Agent are streaming now on Netflix, and Season 4 promises to bring back the dynamic that made the show a hit in the first place. As Buchanan put it, "I will always be grateful for that show and appreciative of the makers of that show, because it changed my life. So, I can't be too mad at that."
In related news, Netflix continues to dominate the action genre with hits like Counterattack, which recently became its biggest non-English hit. And for those who love a good thriller, check out our roundup of thrillers that never let go.
