Actors Clark Gregg and Ever Anderson, both veterans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, are starring in a new murder mystery series for The Network streaming service. Gregg, known for his longtime portrayal of Agent Phil Coulson in movies like The Avengers and Captain Marvel, and Anderson, who played a young Natasha Romanoff in Black Widow, are starring as a married couple in The Artist.
The Artist is set to premiere on The Network on Nov. 27, and the pair sat down with CBR’s Grae Drake to chat about their on-screen relationship in the new show. The official logline of The Artist reads: “In the twilight of the Gilded Age, murder strikes the estate of an eccentric and failing tycoon. As he hosts the era’s biggest celebrities, including Thomas Edison, Edgar Degas, and Evelyn Nesbit, lies, mystery, and ambition collide as the truth is shockingly revealed.”
Gregg plays Henry Kendall Thaw in the new show, while Anderson portrays his wife, Evelyn Nesbit. The couple shares a rather explosive relationship in The Artist, and Anderson talked about what it was like filming her first scene with Gregg. “I would say for Clark, I mean, we met about what, 10 minutes before we actually filmed our first scene. And so nobody really knew what the other was going to bring to the character,” Anderson began. “And all of a sudden, we’re breaking glass and we’re breaking the bed, and all of this is happening. And that was the first moment where I was like, ‘Whoa, okay, we’re doing this, like we are in this,’” she added.
Anderson stressed that Gregg’s character is worlds different than the actor in real life. “And it was incredible for me too, because, I mean, obviously, that’s not what Clark is like in real life, but to see it…but that’s what a great actor is. And the fact that he made the whole experience…made me feel comfortable, made me feel like protected around and like safe, that this was a safe environment, especially doing a scene like that,” Anderson said. She continued, “But that was definitely, I’ve never done a scene like that, and for me, it was a great experience.”
The Artist is the first original series from The Network, and Gregg touched on the tone of the show. “You know, as Ever said, we, the nature of this thing, one of the things I think is most amazing about it is that they’re trying to kind of do the equivalent of an independent film streamer. And this is their first show, and so, you know, they’re trying to do six episodes there. It’s fast and furious, and this was our chunk,” Gregg said.
He also talked about that tumultuous first scene between himself and Anderson’s character. “So, we rolled in, and all of a sudden there’s a room, and it’s got to get very explosive in the moments we’re figuring out what we even sound and act like. And that’s kind of terrifying. And it’s especially terrifying if you then factor in, okay, here’s a woman who’s playing my wife, who is 300 years younger than me. It’s really weird, and it’s overtly sexual, and it’s going to get explosive.”
Gregg praised his co-star for how professional she was during those crazy scenes. “And luckily, she has the kind of grace and professionalism of somebody, I wish I could say older, but I rarely come across it, so I just immediately was like, breathed a sigh of relief, and felt like, okay, I can go for this,” he said. Gregg added, “And then at a certain point, there was a moment where it was really clear she had to push back. One of the biggest problems is, if you have to do that, is someone who’s too timid to kind of create the tension back physically or otherwise that you need for the sparks. And I said, ‘You know, feel free.’ And sure enough, she blasted me across the room. I was like, Oh, I could die here, but at least it will make a good it’ll make a good scene.”
Anderson & Gregg on their Shared MCU Experiences
The Network
While working together, the duo, who both have a history in the MCU, said they had no idea that they both appeared in Marvel movies. When asked if on set, the pair compared notes about what it was like to be in the MCU, Anderson said they had no idea they even had that in common.
“We didn’t know. An interviewer told us,” Anderson said. She added that instead of bonding over their shared MCU experiences, instead, it was music that they had in common. “I didn’t know. We kicked back on P.J. Harvey because that’s our favorite singer,” Anderson said.
The Artist is set to premiere on The Network on Nov. 27. In addition to Gregg and Anderson, the series features an all-star cast including Danny Huston, Janet McTeer, Zachary Quinto, Hank Azaria, Patti LuPone, Ana Mulvoy Ten, and Mandy Patinkin.