When actor Donald Glover announced he was turning the movie Mr. & Mrs. Smith into a series for Amazon Prime, most people in the industry probably didn’t expect the final result to look like this. The series is a mix of reflections on relationships and it features a lineup of guest stars like Parker Posey, John Turturro and Michaela Coel. The drama created by Glover and co-creator/showrunner Francesca Sloane is very different from the original movie, which was their goal from the start. With 16 Emmy nominations and a second season on the way, they are planning to keep pushing those boundaries.
The show premiered on February 2 and its IMDb synopsis describes it as a story of “two strangers who land jobs with a spy agency that offers them a life of espionage, wealth and travel. The catch: new identities in an arranged marriage.” Amid much speculation and hype for its second season, showrunner Francesca Sloane talked in detail about the show with The Hollywood Reporter.
When asked to single out a scene that encapsulates the essence of the first season of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, showrunner Sloane didn’t hesitate. For her, the truth serum scene between Donald Glover and Maya Erskine stands out. “The entire season, they’re so withholding,” Sloane explained, noting that the tension between the characters builds as they both try to outmaneuver each other. This scene, where they’re forced to be honest, is particularly revealing. “Two people, regardless of being spies, can be withholding and scared to really show who they are at the beginning of a relationship. And truth serum is an actual thing! They even use it in the military. It’s sort of magical,” she said.
Sloane also reflected on the delicate balance between drama and comedy in the show. She and Glover approached the tone as something to experiment with, adjusting the “comedy knob” as needed during arguments between characters. “But ultimately, this is still a character study about relationships,” she said. Sloane likened the creative process to composing music, with each episode functioning like a single on an album. “Our North Star is making hits for every episode,” she added.
As a first-time showrunner, Sloane also had to navigate unexpected challenges, particularly when it came to shooting on location. “I realised it was going to be expensive, but what surprised me is how expensive locations are — especially in New York,” she shared, remembering her initial shock at the costs associated with filming at iconic spots like the Whitney Museum. Additionally, she noted the restrictions that come with certain locations, such as the prohibition of gunfire on the Highline, which led to creative adjustments in action sequences. “Rewriting certain things to obey these restrictions became fun,” Sloane explained.
The success of season one has generated significant interest from actors eager to join the show’s growing list of cameos. Sloane has reportedly been getting calls from some impressive names. “There’s definitely some really cool people who’ve been hitting us up,” she revealed, adding that she’s particularly thrilled to see legendary character actors express interest. “These are some icons, real heavy hitters, and I think they recognise that there are parts for them in this show. There’s been a lot of ‘Pinch me! Are you serious?’ outreach,” she noted.
Sloane’s excitement about what’s to come is evident, and fans can look forward to more surprises, creativity and perhaps even some iconic guest stars as Mr. & Mrs. Smith continues for a second season.
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