TNT’s sci-fi drama “Falling Skies,” starring Clanton native Drew Roy, was renewed for a fourth season in early July.

Currently, Roy who plays Hal Mason, a teenager who is among the few survivors after an alien invasion that band together to fight back. Roy has gone through some changes in the show during the last few episodes of season three.

“We just got picked up for the fourth season and it feels nice that we have had a special season three,” Roy said. “Being picked up for a fourth season is pretty impressive for a television show and I have had a blast doing the stuff that is going on with Hal recently.”

Roy described the progression of being infected by an alien and filming alongside actor Noah Wyle who plays Tom Mason, Roy’s father on the show.

“It was just a lot of fun shooting that with Noah,” Roy said. “He has shot about as much television as anyone possibly can and he really digs deep into every episode which is always nice for someone younger like me to be able to watch. When the aliens infected me I went crazy. I then got to take on Noah and it was really fun being able to go toe to toe with him and hashing it out.”

Currently, “Falling Skies” is in between production and will begin filming the fourth season in early September so Roy is spending his days enjoying the ability to do whatever he feels like doing.

“I guess you could say right now is the amazing and boring time of year,” Roy said. “I am fortunate to be able to do whatever I want to right now so I am heading to Comic-Con International in San Diego and then to visit Connor Jessup, who plays Ben Mason, in Japan. He is living there right now on a rice field and I thought it would be fun to visit him.”

Roy said this will be his first trip to Japan and is looking forward to spending nine days exploring the area.

Roy, a 2004 graduate of Chilton County High School, said he tries to return to his hometown “every Christmas” and most recently visited Chilton County for the Fourth of July holiday.

“I came home to go with my family to the beach,” Roy said. “We went to Sandestin but we went the week that it rained literally every single day. The only time it stopped raining was at night. It was nice to be able to stop by Peach Park though.”

Roy said one of the biggest differences between him and his character Hal is that Hal has different sides including a bolder personality and tends to be a bit more impulsive than Roy is in everyday life.

“I think in some situations Hal uses his heart more than his mind which is kind of the opposite for how I normally handle things,” Roy said. “It is cool though to be able to watch a character you play evolve over time and see all of the growth and changes that character makes during the show.”

One of the greatest experiences Roy has enjoyed while being involved with “Falling Skies” has been the opportunity to meet and work with executive producer Steven Spielberg.

“When I get feedback from him I will often take a step back and think, ‘Wow, I just got feedback from Steven Spielberg,’” Roy said. “He watches all of the takes and he is very hands on. He always has final say on everything. I have met him three times and the first time I met him I called him Mr. Spielberg and he knew who I was. There is something crazy about meeting someone who is involved in so much knowing who you are that is pretty incredible.”

“Falling Skies” airs on Sundays at 8 p.m. Central Standard Time on TNT.