'Leverage': Beth Riesgraf Calls 'Heart-Wrenching' Season Closer a 'Shocker' (Video)

Is trouble brewing for the Leverage crew on the final two episodes of the season? Seems so, at least according to series star Beth Riesgraf (aka Parker).

our editor recommends

'Leverage' Boss Reveals Finale Goes Out With 'Big Bang' and If Season 6 Plan Is in Works

'Leverage' Boss Calls Christmas Finale 'Powerful,' Addresses Possible End to Series

"They did it in a way where they could go on from here but it's definitely a shocker," the actress shared of the final fifth-season moments during a recent visit in The Hollywood Reporter Cover Lounge. "People are going to be excited, they're going to be surprised, maybe a little scared."

STORY: 'Leverage' Boss Reveals Finale Goes Out With 'Big Bang' and If Season 6 Plan Is in Works

The finale, titled "The Long Goodbye," sees the team of five taking on their riskiest con yet when group leader Nate (Timothy Hutton) takes on a case linked to the death of his son. The personal ties are what magnify the significance of the crew's latest task -- and it comes across onscreen.

"You always hear us talking about, as a cast -- on set and off set -- we're a family and it really is true. In this last episode, you really see the fruits of our labor. That family dynamic is so strong in this episode -- it's heart-wrenching how much we care about each other and the strength that we have as a team," Riesgraf revealed. "It's really come to a head in the end. This is really it, this is where they've all arrived. They can't live without each other basically because they are essentially a team."

STORY: 'Leverage' Boss Calls Christmas Finale 'Powerful,' Addresses Possible End to Series

The final Leverage episode of the year, airing Christmas evening, will have an unexpected spin that may throw viewers for a loop.

"There's a little spin in the episode; there's always a con under a con under a con," Riesgraf said. "In this one, the shift is that audiences may be expecting a con and they may not have one."

Though TNT has remained mum on the future of the show, Riesgraf said that a decision on whether Leverage will close its doors for good or move on with a sixth season could come in January.

Executive producer Dean Devlin told THR that he would be up for the challenge to figure out a way "creatively of how to come back from from the finale." However, he says, when viewers see the finale, "you may go, 'Wow, you've set a high task for yourself.' "

Leverage closes out season five 10 p.m. Dec. 25 on TNT.

E-mail: Philiana.Ng@thr.com
Twitter: @insidethetube