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May 14, 2015 Web Exclusive By Austin Trunick

[As a tribute to AMC’s award-winning drama Mad Men—which wraps its seventh and final season this Sunday, May 17th—we’re speaking with the actors who played several of our favorite characters on the show. We’ll be discussing many specific moments and episodes from the series’ run, so please take warning: these interviews will contain many spoilers for those not caught up on the show.]

Sylvia Rosen was the wife of Dr. Arnold Rosen—and Don and Megan Draper’s downstairs neighbor. The two couples maintained a friendship even while Don and Sylvia carried out an illicit and on-again, off-again affair. Don’s respect for Arnold—and Sylvia’s friendship with Megan—complicated their relationship, which came to an immediate end when Sally Draper walked in on her father in bed with their neighbor. From the way the show played it, Don’s brief fling with this devout Catholic mother seemed to be one of the hardest for him to get over.

In addition to Mad Men, many readers will remember actress Linda Cardellini as Linsday Weir, the teenage heroine of the cult favorite television series Freaks and Geeks, while others will associate her with her long tenure on E.R.. Currently you can see her in the Netflix original series Bloodine, or in theaters opposite Kristen Wiig in Welcome to Me.

Austin Trunick [Under the Radar]: Matt Weiner keeps a veil of secrecy over the whole audition process. Do you recall the feelings that went through your head when you found out you had a pivotal role opposite Don Draper?

Linda Cardellini: It came slowly. It was one script at a time that I was finding out what she was about, and what her point would be, and what her character meant to the script. I remember reading the first episode. I had one line towards the end of the episode. I remember Matt Weiner, he said: “You only have one line, but I promise you, it’s going to be great!” And so I just trusted him. Each time I read a script it got better and better and better. And then, the way that it ended with [Don and Sylvia], I was so happy with that. It’s so devastating, but at the same time it was a really exciting way to be part of the show.

Do you have a favorite moment from your own performance on the show?

Oh, gosh. [Laughs] Not from my own performance. But I had so much fun playing that character. Matt had such a specific idea of her look, and finding that was really fun. To put that on, and become that person, and to be of that era was incredibly fun. You know, to play the sort of ‘50s-style housewife, but have so much else going on. So much secretive stuff. That was really juicy stuff to play.

And then, to be working with Jon Hamm? He’s so great. Everyone on the show is so great. I’m a fan of the show, and it was so wonderful to be part of that. And to be part of that television history, it was an honor. I’ve been really lucky in that way.

Were you watching the show before you were on it?

Oh, yeah. I liked the show a lot. I’m sad to see it go, but I’m excited to see how it ends.

Do you have any favorite scenes or episodes that you weren’t in?

There are all kinds! It was during my season, too, but I love when Don and Betty sleep together at the camp. Because I was such a fan, I asked not to see the scripts that I wasn’t in. I was invited to come to all the table reads for the season, but I asked not to. So, I didn’t know how anything I wasn’t in would end up. When I saw that, I was just like, “Wow.” I was so excited. I think it’s so great. There’s so much I love about the show.

It’s all so great. And it’s not like you’re following a murder, or something else that happens. It’s just all about these people and their characters. And sure, maybe Don’s identity was in question, and you were worried that it was going to be discovered, but even that has already been uncovered. It’s just all about—I don’t even know how to finish that sentence. I love watching it.

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For more information about Mad Men, head to AMC’s website.