Like most parents,Chris EvansandMichelle Dockeryhave some thoughts aboutJaeden Martell’s hair.
“Just for fun,” Martell replied.
“Because why not?”
Claire Folger/Apple TV+
“It looks great!”
Dockery gushed, as Martell pointed out Evans' recent buzz cut.
“It’s utilitarian,” Evans said with a shrug, running his hand over his head.
Claire Folger/Apple TV+
Suddenly, mom Laurie(Downton Abbey’sDockery) and dad Andy (Evans, a.k.a.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: This is such a wild, twisty story.
What was it that made each of you want to be a part of this?
That certainly was an interest for me.
And Mark is just such a brilliant writer.
For me, it always starts with the material.
JAEDEN MARTELL:Chris and I were doingKnives Out, actually.
Chris, what was it about this project that drew you in?
CHRIS EVANS:It was mostly Mark and Morten.
I mean, I loved the writing as well.
But you only get to read one script, at least I only read the pilot.
So for me, it was just a couple of guys that I really wanted to collaborate with.
You looked at me and [said], “Are we going to do this together?”
“I think you’re going to be my son?”
MARTELL:“I think you’re going to be my son,” yeah!
So that was funny.
The first one I watched was Jaeden’s.
That takes courage."
And then I watched the next kid and it was the same dialogue.
I said, “Wait a minute, wait a minute.
That scene that I just watched Jaeden do, was that actually written?”
He’s that natural, that effortless."
And it really was, at that point, just a no brainer he was that guy.
Jaeden, you also played a young version of ChrisinPlaying It Coolin 2014.
Are you guys basically family now?
MARTELL:It’s pretty funny.
We never met, but I remember seeing Chris from afar in the van.
I was like [points], “I play younger you.”
I had really long blond hair, and they shaved it.
That was hard to deal with.
But it’s uniquely centered on this family relationship and the idea of trust.
What was it about that theme of family that you guys wanted to explore?
EVANS:I think it starts with trust and [whether you] can ever really know anybody.
But I think the downstream impact is a little more interesting to me.
DOCKERY:They differ in their journey so much, Andy and Laurie.
So much of the struggle for her is the guilt that she carries: “Is this true?
Is this my fault?
Did I do something wrong?”
Jacob is obviously the most cryptic character in the whole show.
Jaeden, how did you approach playing such a secretive, internal figure?
It was essentially like shooting an eight-hour-long movie.
It was easy to forget where we were as characters.
He said he didn’t want to know, and I shouldn’t tell anybody.
I just had to figure that out.
This feels like a little bit of a departure for each of you.
Did you get to try any new skills or explore any new territory?
DOCKERY:I mean, it’s always challenging playing Americans.
I’m having to play them a lot at the moment.
I learned with this one that it does take a bit more homework.
I definitely didn’t.
I didn’t go that far as to become my character, but I definitely took a step forward.
So I definitely learned how to change for this because I was so different from Jacob.
EVANS:This may be boring, but I got to play a dad.
There’s something really sweet about your source being your own relationship with your father.
That’s a nice place to tap into if you have to.
Was there anything particular about your own dad that you used as inspiration?
EVANS:This is turning into a therapy session now.
[Laughs] I have a wonderful relationship with my father.
His, what do they call it, love language is…
So it’s all coming from that place of unconditional purity.
What do you think was your biggest challenge on this show overall?
EVANS:I think what Jaeden said is really accurate.
But typically, those are shoots for two-hour films.
DOCKERY:For me, it was how emotional the role was.
MARTELL:To be honest, it was just figuring out whether he did it or not.
That was so hard for me.
It was a tough decision.
Did you ever tell anyone, or did you keep that close to your vest?
MARTELL:Only I know!
Maybe one day I’ll tell somebody.
Defending Jacobpremieres April 24 on Apple TV+.
