CBS' 'Salvation' grapples with panic — and possibility of war — in Season 2

Nine months later, how much closer is that asteroid to Earth?

That's nine months in real time, but the gap has been shorter for the characters of “Salvation,” the CBS sci-fi drama that returns for its second season Monday, June 25. When last seen, as scientists Liam and Darius (Charlie Rowe, Santiago Cabrera) continued to work on a possible solution to the crisis, those about to be launched into space to escape the impending disaster — including Pentagon press secretary Grace, played by Jennifer Finnigan — were dealing with a potential nuclear war, and also with leaving loved ones behind while readying for the voyage.

Jacqueline Byers, Ian Anthony Dale and Rachel Drance also are among returning “Salvation” stars, but Finnigan is particularly pleased a presidential counsel is portrayed by a new cast member: her husband, Jonathan Silverman, with whom she welcomed their first child last fall. Thus, Finnigan filmed Season 1 of “Salvation” while pregnant, and she notes how different she's finding Season 2 ... especially physiologically.

“I would say it's even more difficult this year,” she reflects, “I think I did pretty well with the physical wear and tear of being pregnant while doing really long work days, but this year, there's the addition of the mental and the emotional — having to leave my baby every day. It's really rough. It was hardest at the beginning, because I was used to being with her all the time. There's no controlling hormones, and sometimes, they hit.”

While Finnigan is careful not to reveal too much about the direction “Salvation” is headed in — skyward or otherwise — the asteroid is no longer a secret to the general public, with mass panic a likelihood, as of the first new episode.

“We pick up the way we left off, with Grace and about 160 others locked in the ark and just sort of in a holding pattern,” Finnigan says. “The funny part is that within 10 minutes of being in the ark, everybody starts freaking out because they can't get cell service! I think that's the most realistic story line in the show so far.”

Despite Silverman's presence, Finnigan evidently works more closely with “Salvation” addition Ashley Thomas, as a detective who's on a very personal search for justice ... which Grace, with whom he becomes involved romantically, is strongly tied to.

“I would say the biggest change in Season 2 is that it's not as centered on the asteroid,” allows Finnigan. “It becomes much more geopolitical, really about the internal politics of the country. We're almost nearing a civil war in the show, and I think it's really timely.”

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“Salvation”

Returns at 8 p.m. Monday, June 25, on CBS