There are plenty of oddball duos on television, but none quite like Resident Alien‘s Sheriff Mike and Deputy Liv.
Played to perfection by Corey Reynolds and Elizabeth Bowen, the pair has become a cornerstone of the USA Network series, mixing dry wit, heartfelt vulnerability, and the kind of slow-burn growth that sneaks up on you.
In a new conversation with TV Fanatic, Reynolds and Bowen reflected on what makes their characters tick and why this season marks an emotional evolution for both of them.
Mike’s journey, Reynolds explained, has been building toward a reckoning.
For three seasons, he and Liv have been trailing mysterious disappearances, unexplained murders, and plenty of small-town strangeness — all of which have ultimately led back to one person: Harry.
The realization that their alien neighbor has been hiding in plain sight hits hard, especially for a sheriff who prides himself on his instincts.
“It’s very frustrating,” Reynolds said, pointing to Mike’s growing internal weight.
The pressure’s been stacking up: alien revelations, memory tampering, unsolved cases. It’s no wonder Season 4 brings a deeper, more reflective Mike than we’ve seen before.
Bowen, meanwhile, offered a surprising take on Liv’s alien fascination.
While viewers may see her as someone who’s trying to expose or stop extraterrestrial threats, Bowen clarified that Liv’s curiosity runs deeper than suspicion. She’s filled with awe.
“I think she fears the awesome, supernatural-seeming world of aliens,” Bowen shared, “but I think she also wants to get to know them.” Liv has always believed — she saw a UFO as a child — and that sense of wonder never really left her.
In Bowen’s view, even if the script doesn’t spell it out, Liv operates from a place of deep curiosity and reverence.
That contrast — Mike’s guarded intensity versus Liv’s wide-eyed optimism — is part of what makes their partnership sing.
Reynolds called Liv’s perspective “hopeful,” noting that her belief in something greater begins to rub off on Mike.
There’s a moment from Resident Alien Season 3 where she takes him into the woods to revisit her alien sighting, and it’s not fear that defines the moment, but awe.
That slow shift in Mike, the beginning of embracing the what-if, adds another layer to a character often cloaked in bravado.
Off-screen, the actors clearly enjoy the ride.
They fondly recalled filming a scene involving a murder board and a completely derailed mime theory, a bit of absurdist brilliance that captures the tone of the show in miniature.
For Bowen, playing Liv means learning not to crack up opposite Reynolds’s deadpan delivery — a challenge she’s mastered, even as his improvisational flair keeps things fresh.
As the new season unfolds, both characters are positioned to face revelations that challenge their worldviews.
But if there’s one thing they’ve proven, it’s that Resident Alien’s most grounded duo is also one of its most open-hearted.
Check out the video below for our full conversation.
We’ve got more Resident Alien content on the way, so be sure to check back for additional cast interviews and weekly reviews as Season 4 unfolds.
If you haven’t already, don’t miss our conversation with series creator Chris Sheridan, where he teases the season’s emotional themes and wild twists.
And while you’re here, we’d love to hear from you — what are your favorite Mike and Liv moments so far?
Drop a comment and join the conversation!
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