‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith’ protagonist explains why her version superior to Angelina Jolie’s
‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith’ protagonist explains why her version superior to Angelina Jolie’s. Maya Erskine told some details about her character in Mr. and Mrs. Smith, noting that during filming she didn’t care about looking “sexy.”
By Staff
In the recently released Mr. and Mrs. Smith, actress Maya Erskine, known for her role in the hit series Pen15, enters new territory by playing an adult woman in a spy and comedy plot alongside Donald Glover.
The series, which premiered on Amazon Prime Video on February 2, 2024, has captured the attention of viewers, drawing inevitable comparisons to the iconic original 2005 film starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
In an exclusive interview with Variety, Erskine shared her thoughts on why her version of the character surpasses Angelina Jolie‘s interpretation.
The actress highlighted the opportunity she had in the series to leave behind the stereotype of a teenager with a bowl cut, something with which fans identified her in “Pen15.
Accustomed to portraying a 13-year-old girl with a bowl cut, where I could blend in unnoticed, I find much more comfort in such roles,” Erskine shared from her residence in Los Angeles, where she resides with her partner Michael Angarano and their recently born son.
The actress stressed that, contrary to the expectation of exuding allure, her depiction of a spy in “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” is characterized by authenticity and vividness, differing from Angelina Jolie‘s interpretation.
Erskine drew inspiration from 1970s icons like Jane Birkin and Jane Fonda to evoke sensuality without the burden of adhering to glamorous perfection.
“The inspiration was to feel sexy without trying to be so glamorous and perfect,” said Erskine, noting that her character reflects an authenticity and maturity that distinguishes her performance from Jolie‘s.
The actress also shared details about preparing for the role, revealing that she and Donald Glover shared the same gym, where she impressively got into shape. Erskine, with a laugh, commented: “I just needed to get to a point where I was believably strong.”
The series, which marks Erskine‘s return as a lead since the end of “Pen15” in 2021, provided a welcome change in her creative focus.
Unlike her multifaceted role in the previous series, in “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” she only had to focus on her performance.
Erskine, who became a mother in 2021, also shared how motherhood has changed her creative approach and the importance of finding a sustainable balance between work and personal life.
The actress seeks roles that explore the complexities of marriage and relationships, expressing her desire to play Gena Rowlands-style characters.
The series, which took six months to shoot, has received favorable reviews so far. Erskine hopes that her performance opens doors for future projects that highlight the strong and serious side of her as an actress.
Maya Erskine not only brings a new interpretation to the character of “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” but also offers a more authentic and mature perspective, challenging traditional expectations of glamor and perfection associated with the spy genre.
