The second season of V kicks off on ABC tonight.

What can viewers expect from a series that was criticized for its slow pace last year? A lot of action and torture, star Elizabeth Mitchell has already promised.

With the introduction of a global Fifth Column and new motivation for Erica Evans, Mitchell also teases that her character will have a fresh reason to become "ruthless."

"I think she's going to have to cross the line a lot," Mitchell told TV Guide. "She's passed the point of redemption and that makes for a really dark season."

Among the major moments on which V will focus this season will be the reveal of what the Visitors actually look like. Says Mitchell:

"I think we needed to up the stakes, if only for our own joy and amusement.  It's V - it's an alien invasion story, it's not War and Peace. It was much more fun to play, for sure."

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.