Starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Mr And Mrs Smith received mixed reviews from critics when it was released 19 years ago. However, it proved that audiences were desperate to chomp popcorn along to the tale of a bored married couple who discover that they’re secret assassins for rival agencies. They were so desperate, in fact, that Mr And Mrs Smith quickly became the seventh highest-grossing film of 2005.

Now, the film’s story is set to be rebooted for the small screen, albeit with one notable departure from the original: this time around, John and Jane Smith are well aware of one another’s identities from the get-go.

In fact, their marriage is… well, it’s just another part of the job.

Watch the trailer for Mr. And Mrs. Smith below:

Intrigued? Here’s what you need to know about the new series.

What’s Mr And Mrs Smith about?

Francesca Sloane, who co-created the new series with Donald Glover, has promised “something wholly original”. She told Deadline it is every bit as inspired by the 2005 Mr And Mrs Smith as it is reality series like Married At First Sight.

As per the official synopsis, the TV reboot sees “two lonely strangers land a job working for a mysterious spy agency that offers them a glorious life of espionage, wealth, world travels and a dream brownstone in Manhattan”.

There is, however, a catch. They have to undertake new identities in an arranged marriage as – you guessed it – John and Jane Smith.

“Now hitched, John and Jane navigate a high risk mission every week while also facing a new relationship milestone,” continues the synopsis. 

“Their complex cover story becomes even more complicated when they catch real feelings for each other. What’s riskier, espionage or marriage?”

Who stars in Mr And Mrs Smith?

The aforementioned Glover and Maya Erskine (Pen15) lead the cast of as John and Jane Smith.

They’re joined by the likes of Michaela Coel, John Turturro, Paul Dano, Sharon Horgan, Eiza González and Sarah Paulson.

Those who have been following the progress of Mr And Mrs Smith since it was first announced may wonder why the much-hyped Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s name is no longer on the cast list. As it happens, the Fleabag creator left the project in September 2021 over creative differences.

What are people saying about Mr And Mrs Smith?

Speaking to Screen Rant about the series, Erskine promised it would offer up “the trajectory of a whole relationship”. 

“You start with the first date, second date, the first time you go on vacation together. Am I allowed to say all these things? Am I going to give away anything? OK. And you see them fall in love, the first time they have sex, the first argument. It’s really watching all of those firsts, but against this massive spy backdrop.”

Sloane, meanwhile, tells Deadline that the show takes viewers “on the journey of seeing these two ordinary people become extraordinary. We watch them become stronger spies but more vulnerable humans. We hope that you laugh. We hope that it makes you feel something. We hope that you enjoy the big swing.” 

When and where can we watch Mr. And Mrs. Smith?

The series is due to premiere on Prime Video on Friday 2 February.

Images: Prime Video/Getty