Donald Glover and Maya Erskine introduce a fresh and relatable take on “Mr. & Mrs. Smith.”

Briefly
• Donald Glover and co-creator Francesca Sloane present a unique spin on “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” with an eight-episode series starring Glover and Maya Erskine, which delves into the real intricacies of relationships with life-or-death stakes.
• Unlike the original movie version starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, this series follows two strangers who unknowingly become a married spy duo and evolve into something genuine.
• Initially, Phoebe Waller-Bridge was to play Jane but eventually stepped away from the project due to creative differences.
• With humor, Erskine jokes about the disparity between herself and Angelina Jolie, but she embraces the opportunity to portray a more relatable couple.
• Glover hopes for people to feel something powerful instead of questioning why he reimagined the original film. He aims to explore deeper themes such as trust, teamwork, loneliness in relationships, and marriage in modern times.

In an exclusive interview with EW, co-creator and star Donald Glover, alongside star Maya Erskine and co-creator Francesca Sloane, reveal that their Prime Video series is not an attempt to remake the iconic 2005 movie starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.

Glover is ready to react strongly to his new version of “Mr. & Mrs. Smith.” While he hopes for love and hate, he wants viewers to feel something powerful rather than questioning why he chose to reimagine the original spy film.

“This eight-episode series will be different, and that’s a good thing,” Glover tells EW. “You can always go back and watch the old one, but this gives you a fresh perspective. People will be shocked. If everyone responds ‘Eh,’ we haven’t done our job. I hope some think our version is better, while others think it’s far worse.”

Glover and co-creator Francesca Sloane present a unique story in “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” starring Glover and Maya Erskine. Unlike the movie, which revolves around a married couple discovering their secret spy identities, this series follows two strangers who unknowingly become a married spy duo. As they embark on dangerous missions together, their arranged marriage gradually evolves into something genuine. However, with deceit at the core of their relationship, can they truly trust each other?

Confessing sacrilege, Glover admits he had never seen the original movie until a producer friend obtained its rights. After finally giving it a chance, he realized he didn’t quite understand its appeal. “I mean, I get why it’s iconic because of the people starring in it — it’s just two gorgeous people in this situation,” he explains. But he wanted to explore deeper themes, prompting him to reimagine the TV series, focusing on the modern concepts of marriage, relationships, trust, teamwork, and loneliness. “I wanted to create something that resonates with people today. In a time of abundance, why do we still feel lonely? The movie didn’t tackle that,” Glover states.

Sloane, who previously collaborated with Glover on “Atlanta,” initially thought he was joking when he pitched the idea of a new “Mr. & Mrs. Smith.” However, after discussing the unique approach they could take, she became enthusiastic. The events of 2020 changed how people view relationships, emphasizing the importance of love, trust, and a nurturing environment. For the characters of John and Jane, who excel at espionage and deceit, building trust becomes a challenge. “How can you have a foundation of trust when your job requires constant skepticism?” Sloane questions.

In the early stages of the series, Phoebe Waller-Bridge was set to play Jane but later stepped away due to creative differences. When Glover approached Erskine about the role, she initially had no idea it was for Jane. With humor, she jokes about the disparity between herself and Angelina Jolie. However, Erskine embraced the opportunity to portray a relatable couple rather than trying to replicate the untouchable chemistry of the original cast. “You can see yourself in these characters, but they’re spies,” she shares. “This show delves into the intricacies and flaws of real relationships, with life-or-death stakes. What surprises people is that at its core, ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ is really about marriage.”