These days, so many television shows are remakes. Like the new Gossip Girl or iCarly – at a certain point, all of these shows just seem like companies trying to use our sense of nostalgia against us for some quick cash.
But there is one remake I actually am rooting for: the new series, Mr. and Mrs. Smith.
You may remember the 2005 film of the same name starring Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt as a seemingly normal couple who are secretly assassins. Neither one knows their partner’s true career- that is, until they run into one another on the job and become each other’s next target. The film is a fun twist on classic action movie concepts, that relies heavily on the chemistry and physical attractiveness of its two stars. Jolie and Pitt are Hollywood’s ideal leading players. White, thin, well-known, and conventionally attractive, they embody the pinnacle of traditional Hollywood ideals. I fully admit that the 2005 Mr. and Mrs. Smith is a fun, sexy watch that taps into that early 2000s nostalgia. But it is representative of its time and all of the tropes from then.
One look at the 2024 television will make clear that this is less of a remake than it is a reimagining of the concept of an assassin couple. The series stars co-creator Donald Glover alongside Maya Erskine, two actors of color who have experience bringing their unique perspectives to the screen in a profitable way. Glover is known for his music, numerous acting projects, and the creation of his other hit show Atlanta. Erskine is the creator of the series, PEN15 in which she stars and for numerous other roles in TV and film. Both are multi-hyphenate, extremely creative, accomplished artists, but are not household names the way Jolie and Pitt are.
Because of all these factors and more, the new Mr. and Mrs. Smith becomes so much more than the original concept. It is an assertion that people of color can be hot, sexy, cool, and funny in all the ways white people are and more. While race is relevant to the characters, it is not the central plot point. Rather, the show leans into the entertainment of action and romance, just as the original does.
While the actual series is not that similar to the original, the shared title still serves an important purpose, inviting the comparison of Erskine and Glover with Jolie and Pitt. It dares the audience to recognize the similarities and differences between both versions and spot the biases we may hold about what a leading couple should look like, all the while providing an entertaining watching experience.
So, yes while I am tired of the many television show remakes, I think there is a tasteful and impactful way to go about it that teaches the viewers something new about the characters and themselves. If you are an action lover, a fan of Glover or Erskine, or just curious, I would definitely give Mr. and Mrs. Smith a watch. It might be the new show you never knew you needed.