FXsArcherhas some huge changes coming for season 11.
But theres a lot more to it than just that.
EW exclusively spoke to executive producers Matt Thompson and Casey Willis about their season 11 shakeup.
We thought it was so interesting that we wanted to do another season and explore that dynamic.
Archer goes home again and finds that everythings changed.
One reason Adam, Casey, and I started genre-hopping is we got bored telling a mission-of-the-week story.
Now weve been gone so long from that its going to feel brand-new again.Because everythings changed.
Its not a small matter.
So youre literally back at the New York agency in the same non-distinct time period?THOMPSON:Yes.
But the personalities and situation of the office has changed.
Were definitely back to doing spy missions.
But the roles and peoples personalities have changed.
Whats also different is Archer is physically and mentally not what he was.
Hes been in a bed for three years.
Thats something we can give away.THOMPSON:But its not just a cane.
Of course it is.THOMPSON:Krieger has put all these devices in it like hes James Bond.
And how does doing that for three years affect him and his capabilities?
What is the name of the agency now?
Because I assume its not the Figgis Agency or ISIS.
]THOMPSON:We have at this point not named it yet.
We have just started on the scripting of it and havent decided what were going to call it.
He feels everyone has left him behind.
Hes in the way.
And that exploration of truly something different for Archer as a character is exciting for us.
And Archer is going to change throughout the season as well.
There was speculation season 10 would be the last.
Obviously, its up to FX, but whats your sense?
Is season 11definitelynot the last season?
It feels brand-new again to me.
I know all the cast is signed and extremely happy to be here…
There are fans out there weve lost along the way.
And I understand that I dont watch shows in their 11th season.
Obviously the show is largely an episodic comedy.
But there are serialized elements.
1 concern has always been are we telling an interesting story that entertains us.
We have read the internet.
But then theres another portion of the internet thats like, Wake the f up already.
We definitely heard them.
But now it is.
Regardless, Archer had to wake back up to end the series.
You mentioned Adam a couple times.
Its been widely assumed hes leaving after season 10.
Yet it sounds like hes part of season 11?
Whats his creative involvement?THOMPSON:Adam has always said, Im out after season 10!
But its likeGodfather III: …then they pull me back in.
Hes not with us day to day.
This season hes taken a further step back but is still in.
He plotted out the stories with us.
At this time, hes only slated to write one episode.
His involvement was mainly at the front end of the production.
Are there any burning questions that you think the show has an obligation to eventually answer before it ends?
It was about Archers real father.
And I was like, No!
This is a great idea!
People want to know about his dad.
And people were just walking out of the room.
So not even Matt or I know, it was just a note to inform Lucky about his performance.
