original Leverage show, Tara, who is played by Jeri Ryan, appeared in Leverage: Redemption season 3, episode 5, attempting to steal the same watch as Parker and Interpol agent Astrid. The character's return to the franchise will impact several of the characters, not least Parker, who shares a unique bond with the legendary thief.

ScreenRant's Grant Hermanns sat down with Riesgraf to discuss Tara's return, and the actress talked about the familial dynamic Tara brings to both Sophie and Parker's lives, but in different ways. She also praised co-star Ryan, and her knowledge of the show, and how the character's return brings some important energy and action to the process. Discussing Tara's impact on the show, she talks about how there is a real love between the two characters, and Parker feels like she has found a sister in Tara. Check out Riesgraf's comments below:

"It's one of the greatest things to see her just slide right in, kick a lot of a--, give us that smile that she has, and those blue eyes, and you're just like, 'I love you so much!'. I have so much love for her as a human being, that the second we see each other, we just grab and scream and laugh and have fun. And then, you get into the a---kicking part, which it's just like, 'Boom.' That scene partner energy just clicks right back in. She didn't skip a beat.

She comes in, she literally kicks a--, and then she goes home. That's who Jeri is, Jeri's a total bada--, but also kind and generous and fun, and another person who's just down to play and go there with us, and knows the character backstories, and so effortlessly you get that in her subtext. And the scenes between her and Aleyse as Breanna are so amazing in the way Aleyse chose to play those moments. It was just so fun.

That's the thing I love about our show is you can have these characters who've been there forever, and then you introduce a new dynamic like that. It just brought this whole other world, and sparked so many ideas. I'm like, "Oh, you could do a whole episode with just Breanna running a con with her. You can see a new path here, and it would be so funny, and action-packed, and all the things." So, yeah, she's awesome.

I think that there's a real love between the two characters. As much as Parker could say she feels like she has a sister, Tara is like that to her. Sophie, I would say, is more maternal in some ways, but Parker feels very protective over Sophie in that way, and then with Tara, it's almost more like the best friend you get in trouble with.

Someone she has total trust and faith and love for, like a sister you get in trouble with. [Chuckles] It's hard to say, because I could also say that about Sophie and Parker in their situations too, right? But I think just the depth of the emotional journey with Sophie has been so different, and the loss of Nate and everything that she's been through with her, she has such a fierce protection of Sophie, in a way.

Maybe even sees her vulnerabilities, so while Sophie is not afraid to kick some butt too, Parker hasn't seen Tara's vulnerabilities in her life journey the way she has with Sophie. So, it's going to bring out a different dynamic. And I think it's more of that like 'sister you'd get in trouble by, but I'd also kill someone for you' thing. [Chuckles]."

What The Insight Means For Parker's Season 3 Story Arc

Tara Is Going To Have A Big Impact On Parker's Story

Parker has many interesting relationships over the course of the show, and Leverage: Redemption season 3 has proven to be the most Parker-centric season to date. Given her traumatic childhood and formative years in the foster system, Parker sees the group as her adoptive family, and Tara plays a key role in this. As Riesgraf's comments show, Tara is like the cool older sister or best friend, who breezes into town, has some fun and gets into a bit of trouble, and then leaves again. It's the kind of relationship that helps Parker loosen up and embrace her fun and more care-free side.

She helps Parker be more relaxed and at ease, and brings out her more fun and playful side, which goes a long way toward helping the character grow and evolve.

Having an actress of Ryan's caliber playing Tara is a huge boon for the show, and given that she had a recurring role in the original run of Leverage, bringing the character back would have felt like an easy fit for the story. Tara is a character who has a big impact on both Parker and Sophie, and Parker feels that sort of sisterly bond with Tara that is less vulnerable than her relationship with Sophie, and this is integral to helping shape the different facets of her character.

Our Take On Parker & Tara's Relationship

Tara Helps Bring Parker Out Of Herself

Parker is a quirky and no-nonsense woman, but she is also fiercely loyal, and a good friend. Due to her traumatic past, Parker can be very guarded, even with those in her adoptive family, but this is why Tara is the perfect antidote. She helps Parker be more relaxed and at ease, and brings out her more fun and playful side, which goes a long way toward helping the character grow and evolve. There will be hopes that Tara can make more appearances, especially if Leverage: Redemption season 4 gets a renewal, and fans will be keen to see more interactions between her and Parker.