Hit or Miss: ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ Shows Great Potential With A Stylish First Teaser
In February of 2021, Prime Video announced they were developing a television adaptation of the hit 2005 film, Mr. & Mrs. Smith. The film was inspired by the lesser known, one season-long 1996 television series of the same name. Originally, this new series was set to star Donald Glover (Community, Atlanta, Solo: A Star Wars Story) and Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag, Crashing, Broadchurch) in the titular roles. However, after Waller-Bridge’s departure from the project in late 2021, Maya Erskine (PEN15, Man Seeking Woman, Blue Eye Samurai) stepped in to fill the role. The series is helmed by showrunner Francesca Sloane (Atlanta, Fargo, Seven Seconds), with both her and Glover executive producing. Due to the writers’ and actors’ strikes, production was delayed, ultimately pushing the premiere date to February 2nd, 2024. With the release of its first teaser, Prime Video finally gives audiences a taste of what they can expect from this new romantic espionage thriller.
Though the series shares the same name and general premise as the film, this teaser makes it clear that this story is its own. The film follows a married couple who each discover that the other is an assassin working for a rival agency; assigned to kill each other, they spend the duration of the movie failing to do so. The series, however, will follow two strangers brought together after they accept an assignment from a mysterious spy agency, taking on new identities as husband and wife to maintain their cover. Each episode will see these newlyweds tackle high risk missions while managing their charade of a marriage. Complicating things further are the real emotions that begin to develop between these deadly spies.
The lack of an established romance at the beginning of the story is the most significant difference from the film. Watching their relationship evolve throughout the season from a simple cover story to a genuine connection might just be a viewer’s primary motivation to tune in. The trailer emphasizes the importance of their relationship through glimpses of affection, subtle yet meaningful looks, and a passionate kiss; this as well as bits of dialogue allude to the blossoming romance between these two spies. The romantic focus is also highlighted by the trailer’s song choice. It excellently establishes the classic espionage, James Bond-esque tone while incorporating lyrics that point to the inevitable love these two characters will come to share.
...to tell the story of how great a love can be? The sweet love story that is older than the sea. The simple truth about the love he brings to me...
This series’ action is just as important as its romance. Both Glover and Erskine have more than proved themselves as genuine talents and powerhouses of comedy, with the successes of both Atlanta and PEN15 showcasing just a fraction of their skills. Seeing these stars step out of their comedic comfort zones into action-oriented roles will be a new and exciting experience for audiences. Prime Video already demonstrated their ability to deliver thrilling, polished action sequences in the past, with series such as The Boys and Jack Ryan, so there is good reason to believe Mr. & Mrs. Smith will continue this trend. Throughout the teaser, glimpses of action showcase the countless bullets and explosions viewers can expect to encounter. Glover and Erskine wield their weapons with conviction while injecting their signature comedy into the mayhem, blending the genres seamlessly.
The first teaser for Mr. & Mrs. Smith is a strong one. It effectively shows audiences what they can expect without giving enough to connect the narrative dots. It establishes its classic espionage tone while conveying the fun, likable personalities of its leads. Shots of varied and interesting locations demonstrate the production’s commitment to quality, and glimpses of the excellent guest stars in Paul Dano (The Batman, The Fablemans, Prisoners), John Turturro (The Batman, Mr. Deeds, Severance), and Parker Posey (Scream 3, Beau Is Afraid, Josie and the Pussycats) only add to the excitement. As it stands, it seems the creative team behind Mr. & Mrs. Smith was wise to construct a unique identity for the series rather than ride the film’s coattails. With limited competition and high potential, Prime Video might just have another hit on their hands when Mr. & Mrs. Smith arrives on streaming this February.