Cobie Smulders

In The Avengers (2012), Cobie Smulders looks as though someone is still attending to the practicalities. As Agent Maria Hill, Nick Fury's deputy, she supplies authority in a cast with plenty of louder attractions. We laughed at the film because its actors leave space for one another's jokes; her serious manner fits that company without needing a separate comic routine. Joss Whedon's gathering runs too long, but its ensemble remains a pleasure. Smulders helps keep it grounded, even when Hill has little of her own to reveal.

How I Met Your Mother (2005–2014) had already established her as Robin Scherbatsky. Across comedy and action, her familiar parts are sharp, sarcastic women whose competence does not prevent them having difficulties of their own. The sitcom sometimes leaned on jokes about nationality, a narrow use of a performer able to suggest vulnerability without surrendering her briskness. Moving into Whedon's ensemble gave that no-nonsense manner another use, although it did not give her the space of a television lead.

The limitation of Maria Hill is that being useful to a large cast can mean having little to do beyond delivering information. Smulders is effective at that, but the recurring appearances do not always supply much character beneath the authority. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) gives Hill more action, and Smulders handles the physical work convincingly. Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016), opposite Tom Cruise, offers another action role as Major Susan Turner.

Stumptown (2019–2020) gives her a lead as Dex Parios and more opportunity to play a damaged person rather than dependable support. She brings warmth to the character's difficulties without dropping the blunt manner that suits her. Hill's limited duties are no reason to assume Smulders has little else to offer. For a fuller evening with Smulders, try Stumptown.