Michaelea Conlin Top crime show Bones returns to Sky1 this week.

We caught up with actress Michaela Conlin for the lowdown on the new series and a few hints about what's in store for her character, free spirit Angela.

Michaela's big break came in 2005 when she was cast as the vivacious Angela Montenegro in Fox’s crime drama Bones.

A specialist in forensic facial reconstruction with a quirky attitude and sense of humour, Angela adds balance to the show’s serious subject matter.

So what do you like about Bones?
Initially it was just like any other pilot. I really loved the female characters. It’s really hard to find network TV shows that have real women voices. They’re always sort of generic and poorly written. But I got the pilot script for this show and I was pleased to see that these were strong, smart women. I really liked that.

Do you think the idea of stronger women is a growing trend now?
I do. The roles played by Holly Hunter, Glenn Close and Kyra Sedgwick —their shows just came about in the last few years. It is pretty new. Hopefully, it’s a trend that will stay put.

What do you think of the show’s forensics, is it a disturbing subject for you?
It grosses my character out much more than it grosses me out. I find it really fascinating that you can identify someone based on a piece of their skull an inch long. It’s pretty incredible. These things really do exist. Although we do them much faster on the show. It’s a pretty big testament to the people who work in this field. It’s pretty cool.

If you had to pick one, what was your favorite episode?
I would have to say, the Christmas episode from season one. It was the first episode where we were all together and the entire episode was shot in the lab. I was dressed as an elf. But you know, there’s been so many.

Are you happy with the direction that your character has taken?
Well, I’ve been very happy up to this point. I mean Angela started out being single and a gentleman’s lady. She’s a really fun, over-the-top, gregarious, truthful character, so she’s a ball to play 12 hours a day. I think it’s time for Angela to have new adventures, new relationships, some new people in her life—in every area.  She’s like a real people person.

What do you think of the comedy in the show?
To be honest, people really never stop me about the crime [aspect of the show]. They always want to know about the interactions about Zach and Hodgins. I think the show has a real organic, kind of dark, cynical humor that’s funny.

Do you have the freedom to give the writers suggestions?
Yeah. Hart and Steven really have an open door policy. I’ve gone to them several times and said, "I don’t think she’d say this." At this point, we’ve been playing these characters for years, so we know the really well. But sometimes, he’ll say, no. But they’re really good about it. They listen when they can and they don’t when they shouldn’t.

Where do you see the relationships in the show going?
I think that Booth and Brennan’s relationship is definitely a “will-they, won’t they” kind of relationship and I’m hoping that they will. This season, everything is going to turn up a little bit. I’m hoping we’ll get a couple people in bed, get some people fighting, I hope it gets more intense. I think that we have a real loyal audience, and the network and the studios have been behind us from the beginning and I think it’s time for us to have some fun, make it different, change it up.

Are there story lines that you liked, but they chose not to follow?
That’s a really good question. I’d really love for Angela to be out in the field more, solving crimes.  But I think she’s done pretty well. She’s had a really good relationship and I’m sure there’s more to come. So, no, I really have no complaints.

Find out when Bones is showing on TV.