Maya Erskine, known for her role as a teenage version of herself on Hulu's Emmy-nominated show 'Pen15,' is taking on a new character in her latest series, 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith.' In this Amazon Prime Video series, Erskine plays a grown woman, a departure from her usual portrayal of adolescents. The show, which launches on February 2, is a remake of the 2005 film of the same name, where Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie starred as assassins forced into a pretend marriage.
For Erskine, the opportunity to play a spy in 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith' meant trading in her signature bowl cut for a more mature and sophisticated look. She admits feeling more comfortable in her previous roles where looking pretty wasn't the primary focus. However, this new character allowed her to explore feeling sexy without trying to be glamorous or perfect. Drawing inspiration from icons like Jane Birkin and 70s-era Jane Fonda, Erskine aimed for a more lived-in spy persona.
Preparing for the role didn't require the same intense physical training as her co-star Donald Glover, who got 'massively ripped' for the series. Erskine simply aimed to be believably strong. 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith' marks her first regular role since 'Pen15' ended in 2021. While she co-created, wrote, and directed episodes for 'Pen15,' Erskine wanted a bit of relief and a chance to solely focus on acting for her next project.
Creating the show alongside Donald Glover and Francesca Sloane, Erskine found a sense of ease in trusting the talented creators and focusing solely on her performance. Unlike the original film, where Pitt and Jolie's characters were initially spouses, Glover and Erskine's characters meet on the job and build a relationship while navigating the complexities of their dual identities. Through this process, they uncover various aspects of each other's lives, including their differing desires for children.
Parenthood has also significantly reshaped Erskine's perspective and creative process. With her son accompanying her during the shoot for 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith,' she learned to balance her priorities and find sustainability in her work. As she grows older, she realizes the importance of creating good work without sacrificing well-being.
Erskine's portrayal in 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith' showcases her strong and serious side, potentially opening doors for more varied roles in the future. Her aspirations include playing characters like Gena Rowlands and potentially taking on challenging roles like 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?' However, she acknowledges that she still needs to live a bit longer and gain more life experiences before tackling such roles.
With her compelling performance in 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith,' Maya Erskine continues to captivate audiences and demonstrate her versatility as an actor.
