Well, that’s a relief! How do you like playing these new incarnations of Simmons – first at Hydra, and now grappling with the Inhuman issue?
It’s brilliant to be able to play evolutions in a character. I think the assumption is that the actor is going to feel annoyed in some way, or just kind of upset, but actually I’m kind of excited by it.
I think anything new that happens — they’re in such extreme circumstances every single day, of life and death, and also like, the death of humankind! — that I think it makes sense that people are going to have radical changes of views, or evolution on their character journey that might seem extreme. But they’re not.
And I think that Simmons represents a viewpoint that people have, or that people are at least worried about. How to control something, or holding onto the past and wanting that to stay the same because the future is scary and unpredictable. I think that she represents an important viewpoint, that it’s not necessarily the one that I personally agree with, but it’s something that is a fear. If we are to move forward, it needs to be addressed.
And I think that that’s what she’s representing to me, as a fan of the show and obviously part of it, and I’m proud that that’s at least addressed, that that kind of… Because not everyone is always going to have amazing foresight.
I feel like Fitz has this wisdom now that he’s been through something, and real life is that the worst thing can be the greatest gift. But not everybody can have that foresight, and Simmons doesn’t have that right now. And I think that that’s believable, really. She’s scared, that’s what she is.
That’s an interesting idea, that the characters are evolving emotionally along with the Inhuman evolution.
[Simmons is] still on that journey. This is her initial reaction, and I think it’s a very human reaction for her to be scared and just close up like a clamshell. And you know, as she gets more information and realizes this is Skye, this is her best friend, this is something that she has to step outside her comfort zone and be brave in an emotional way.
Pretty much everyone was devastated to lose Trip in December. What has the atmosphere been on set for the second half of the season?
The week that [BJ Britt] got killed off was really tough, that table read was really tough. You know, as an actor you always know that you’re expendable, and that’s a healthy attitude to have — that we’re all coming together and trying to create something that’s bigger than each of us individually. And we all always wonder. Someone could call me up tomorrow and say this is going to be Simmons last episode — or whatever it is. I think we always know that nothing is necessarily forever.
But that being said, it’s always so difficult when such a core member of the team is no longer there. But we’re lucky that we all have a great friendship with BJ, and he’s forever going to be part of the family — as each of us will be if [it comes to that.] We all share a very special bond, and we all realize how lucky we are to have these jobs.
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And the vibe is set is so brilliant. Because you know, BJ was sad, but he was also grateful for the time that he had, and I think that’s a great lesson we can all learn. We’re just enjoying the moment and working as hard as we can.
And when our time is up — if our time is up — then we’ll be able to go, “That was a really good gig!” And everybody’s really happy to be here — and we’re so lucky that we get so many new people! And it has injected new life into the crew and cast. So the vibe is pretty great on set!
Blair Underwood and Edward James Olmos are guest starring on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. soon — what has it been like to work with them?
They’re both such talented actors. I mean to have Edward Olmos on, I mean give me a break! I could not believe that! And you see him walking on set, and I’m thinking “Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!” But he’s so lovely. And Blair too, they’re both!
It’s a dream and a gift for someone like me, as an actress that’s new to America really, and new to the industry. Being able to work and not only just being in scenes, but all the between — hearing their stories and advice, and asking questions — it’s just kind of soaking up their [knowledge.]
Related: Edward James Olmos teases his mysterious role on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
To be able to have those opportunities, and for that to be my day at work, it’s just unbelievable. I hope to have a long career as these guys have, and that’s like gold dust, their stories are so valuable!
And it really brings a weight to our cast too, when you have people that carry so much integrity and are brilliant at their craft. And for us to be able to have that, we’re very privileged, and we all feel very lucky that we get to have people that come in and out, and their energy is great. They’re both renowned actors, and we get to have them in our show — it’s just crazy!
We’re all super excited to see them — Captain Adama and the man who married Agent May!
I promise you, you will not be disappointed! And you’ll see a really nice new side to Melinda May, she has a brilliant arc this season.
And what’s one last thing fans should know about what’s coming up?
The team is going to be fractured and tested in a way that it hasn’t been before — and they’re going to have a big choice to make.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 2, episode 13, “One of Us,” airs Tuesday, March 17 at 9:00 p.m. on ABC.
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