Emily VanCamp Is Ready for Some Brotherly Lovin'

[Still Dirrty]

This interview contains spoilers of the new season of Brothers & Sisters

She's a Walker sibling no more, but that won't rob Brothers & Sisters' Rebecca from her fair share of drama this coming season (premiering Sunday at 10 pm/ET). Emily VanCamp gave us a peek at what's ahead for Rebecca and Justin, a possible Everwood reunion, and the arrival of Ryan.

TVGuide.com: How is this season different than the last? What's your take?
Emily VanCamp: It's the usual drama that comes with the Walkers and the Harpers, but it's different in terms of my character and her relationship with the family, which has changed drastically.

TVGuide.com: When you got de-Walkered, was a part of you, the actress, a little scared. "Whoa, is there going to be stuff for me to do?"
VanCamp: There were a couple moments of panic, but it wasn't so much, "Am I still going to be on the show?" It was more, "Oh my goodness, I'm going to miss being a part of the family and playing that aspect of it." But it opened up a lot of storylines that add new layers to Rebecca.

TVGuide.com: Some fans felt cheated, that Rebecca put the Walkers through such upheaval only to be a false alarm. But there are other storytelling possibilities this way.
VanCamp: Absolutely. It was very important to address the chemistry that existed between Rebecca and Justin, and obviously no one wants to go the incest route. I can understand how it would be frustrating that they embarked on this journey with this character and it fell apart in the end, but it's more interesting this way.

TVGuide.com: When the season begins, Rebecca and Justin are keeping their romance a secret from everyone?
VanCamp: I don't want to give away too much, but they're trying to figure this out for themselves — this is all very new and scary for them — so they're not ready to let others know what's going on. But you'll see, the first episode is funny....

TVGuide.com: I've also heard it won't be smooth sailing for them, that there might be "intimacy" issues....
VanCamp: These two characters have gone through so much together, they're just trying to find their footing in a relationship as opposed to that brother-sister connection that never quite existed. When you begin dating a best friend, it can be kind of awkward at times, you have to figure it out. Ultimately they do, which is great. [Laughs]

TVGuide.com: It would seem that Rebecca will find a kindred soul in Ryan once he shows up.
VanCamp: That's going to be a very interesting storyline. Obviously Rebecca has had to deal with the difficulties of finding out that you're a part of this whole other family, so she most likely will be a great support to this new character — and who knows what will come of that?

TVGuide.com: The audition script for Ryan has exactly that tone. Rebecca basically tells him, "I've been down this road. As tempting as it is, don't be hating on the Walkers."
VanCamp: There's a protectiveness that Rebecca has with the Walkers. But also she will never be one of them, so there's the sense of being an outsider that she shares with him.

TVGuide.com: Are you testing with the wannabe Ryans? Do we have a winner yet?
VanCamp: I know for a fact, because I have really good friends of mine that are auditioning for the part, that they're at the beginning stages.

TVGuide.com: Some armchair casting directors want Gregory Smith (one of VanCamp's Everwood love interests) to play the role.
VanCamp: [Laughs] I think that's just an Internet rumor. That'd be a little bit of an Everwood overload!

TVGuide.com: How goes Rebecca's career?
VanCamp: She ultimately finds a place in her mother's company. What's exciting about that is I adore exploring the single mother-daughter relationship with Patty Wettig. She's a brilliant actress, and we have such an interesting connection on screen. I love that they are putting us together a little bit more.

TVGuide.com: What I like about them is they're not so polished, like the Walkers. They have imperfections....
VanCamp: That's something Patty and I have talked about. I learn a lot from her in that respect because she is so willing s an actress to be flawed, to be darker, more of a villain. A lot of actors aren't up for that. They want to be loved by everyone.

TVGuide.com: How did you spend your downtime between seasons?
VanCamp: I had all these big plans — I love to spend my time off traveling, running around the world — but I wanted to be with my family. So I spent the month at home in Canada, eating my mom's home cooking.

TVGuide.com: What's your favorite home-cooked meal from Mom?
VanCamp: Oh, that's so difficult.... Hmm, she makes a killer Caesar salad with chicken on it. I know, it sounds basic, but it's my favorite.

TVGuide.com: Hey, a killer grilled-chicken Caesar salad can be awesome.
VanCamp: It's just out-of-this-world. She's brilliant at comfort food, the pot roasts and prime rib and meat dishes.... I'm definitely not a vegetarian! [Laughs]

TVGuide.com: And your favorite dessert?
VanCamp: I make these really crazy chocolate chip-oatmeal-raisin-pecan cookies. It sounds incredibly overwhelming, but it works!