Who is Rowena in Absentia? Character explored in depth

Absentia (Image Source: Prime Video)
Absentia (Image Source: Prime Video)

The show Absentia added an important new person named Rowena Kincade in Season 3. When she arrived, the story became harder to figure out and caused trouble for the main person, FBI agent Emily Byrne.

So, "Who is Rowena in Absentia and what does she do at the end of the show?" She is a smart spy who taught Emily long ago. Because of this shared history, she is a very interesting person in the series.


Rowena in Absentia: Exploring the character

Rowena Kincade: A teacher and expert spy

Rowena Kincade is an important spy. She used to teach at the FBI training school called Quantico. This means she is extremely good at spying, fighting, and reading people. A long time ago, Rowena was Emily Byrne's teacher. Because of this shared past, Rowena has a lot of influence over Emily.

Since Rowena understands all of Emily's good and bad points, she is a huge threat in the show. Rowena gets involved in Emily's life as Emily tries to protect her family from criminals. However, Rowena's help is never clear. She seems able to both protect Emily and cause trouble for her. The writers made her character full of mystery.


The unclear relationship in Absentia

Absentia (Image Source: Prime Video)
Absentia (Image Source: Prime Video)

The connection between Emily and Rowena is the most important part of the third season. Rowena was Emily’s teacher, but her actions now are unpredictable. This makes their connection feel like an intense game of cat and mouse. Since they understand each other so well, every talk they have becomes a small fight. The big question remains: Who is Rowena in Absentia truly helping?

The actress, Josette Simon, plays the uncertain nature of Rowena well. She said the character’s goal is to make the audience constantly guess where she stands. As an example, in their first meeting, Rowena calmly places a gun on the table between them. This simple act shows how dangerous she is. It suggests that even though Rowena seems nice, she might hurt Emily at any second. Making the character seem so subtle and tricky was the hardest part of filming the show.


Rowena’s effect on Emily’s story

Rowena’s character was essential for showing how Emily has changed. In Season 3, Emily starts to recover from her past and acts with new strength. Rowena had helped train Emily before.

Therefore, much of Emily’s current skill and power is something Rowena taught her years ago. Their difficult relationship forces Emily to face the skills and the dark side, she learned while working for the FBI.

Absentia (Image Source: Prime Video)
Absentia (Image Source: Prime Video)

Their confusing bond helps the story move forward quickly. The audience has to watch every moment to try and understand Rowena's plan. This tension keeps the story exciting. Who is Rowena in Absentia? She acts like a mirror, showing Emily her own past and what she could become.

Like the rest of her story, the end of Rowena Kincade remains a puzzle. Josette Simon suggested that the best ending for Rowena would be a mysterious escape. Maybe a fast chase that ends with her jumping off a cliff and diving deep into the sea. This idea perfectly captures her character: A mysterious, smart, and hard-to-catch spy who made a huge impact on the final season of Absentia.


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Edited by Amey Mirashi