What The Final Day On The Set Of Sons Of Anarchy Was Like
Whenever a major TV series or movie franchise comes to an end, it's often a bittersweet time for the fans, but also the cast. From "Harry Potter" to "Friends," tears are typically shed on set during the final day of production. It can be difficult to say "goodbye," especially when the series/franchise was part of their lives for a number of years.
The cast of FX's hit series "Sons of Anarchy," which wrapped up its 7th and final season in December 2014, is no exception. These actors may portray tough-as-nails bikers who have no qualms with killing and other crimes, but behind the scenes, they grew attached to their troubled characters, and to each other as people playing these roles.
Charlie Hunnam told People that portraying Jax Teller "was a very deep experience. I lived with that character inside me for years, like, in a very real way. In a way that manifested in ways that I could never even [have] imagined." Katey Sagal also felt close to her role of Gemma Teller Morrow, the matriarch of SAMCRO who brutally murders her son Jax's love, Tara Knowles (Maggie Siff). She told People, "I really loved Gemma, even in all her heinous doings."
Given these actors' deep passion for their respective roles, it makes sense that the last day on the set of "Sons of Anarchy" was an emotional one.
It was difficult for the Sons of Anarchy cast to say goodbye
After seven riveting seasons, "Sons of Anarchy" came to a dramatic close with a massive police chase and Jax taking his own life -– a heartbreaking scene both on and off camera. FX shared touching footage of the entire studio cheering, applauding, and hugging right after the last "Sons of Anarchy" moment was shot.
"We just wrapped 10 minutes ago and it hasn't quite sunk in that this thing has actually come to an end now, but it's just been such a beautiful experience," Hunnam said while fighting back tears. "I think I'm gonna wake up tomorrow with kind of a big hole in my soul," he added later on in the clip.
The next day, the sets were taken apart, SAMCRO's beloved bikes were returned to Harley-Davidson and the names were taken off the trailers. Though everyone said their goodbyes, there was a consensus that the bond created while filming "Sons of Anarchy" would live on. David Labrava, who plays SAMCRO sergeant-at-arms Happy Lowman, said, "Absolutely the best friends that I've ever made in life and I plan on keeping them forever."
Several cast members shared sentimental posts to mark the end of an era. Kim Coates, who plays Tig Trager, shared a sweet selfie of himself, Labrava, and Tommy Flanagan, who plays Filip "Chibs" Telford. In the caption, Coates wrote, "Our show is almost dead...but a selfie never dies."