3 minute read
BIG FIGHTS ON THE SMALL SCREEN
TOM HIDDLESTON, SOPHIA DI MARTINO, AND GUGU MBATHA-RAW ON “LOKI”
As television becomes more cinematic, so does its pulse-pounding stunt work
By Matthew Nerber
GOLSHIFTEH FARAHANI AND AZHY ROBERTSON ON “INVASION”
Series like “Jack Ryan,” “The Witcher,” and “The Boys” prove that film screens aren’t the only place to find mind-blowing adventures and stunts. Fortunately, the SAG Awards are here to recognize all their hard work. The reigning champ is “The Mandalorian,” but without an eligible new season of that series for the 28th annual ceremony, the field is wide open. Consider these seven standout stunt ensembles when choosing who should go on the nominations ballot.
“The Falcon and the Winter Soldier”
Marvel’s “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” plays out like a movie across its six episodes, and that’s due in no small part to the stunt work. The series is packed with fights big and small, from close-quarter skirmishes to full-on battles that span entire cities. The stunt team delivers high-octane scenes that live up to the central heroes’ reputations.
“Invasion”
A modern riff on H.G. Wells’ “The War of the Worlds,” Apple TV+’s “Invasion” has the massive scope of a big-budget sci-fi film—and that means plenty of action. From close-call escapes to tense firefights, the stunt team brings its A-game to this globe-trotting series while never distracting from the character-driven stories at its center.
“Loki”
Marvel’s God of Mischief teleported to the small screen this year, and Tom Hiddleston brought all of the character’s dastardly drama with him. Along with our antihero’s signature powers, “Loki” delivers scene after scene of mind-bending, Marvel-certified action. Timehopping and space travel are just some of the feats the series’ stunt team helps bring to life.
“The Nevers”
Taking cues from steampunk, “Harry Potter,” and “Penny Dreadful,” HBO’s “The Nevers”
KAYVAN NOVAK ON “WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS”
is a thrilling mix of sci-fi drama and period adventure that layers on truly epic action. The characters in this world have various powers, and the stunt team beautifully weaves supernatural elements into real-world, practical set-ups. From tense confrontations in Victorian London streets to thrilling showdowns, the stunt work on “The Nevers” consistently tops itself from episode to episode.
“Titans”
While Marvel has enjoyed the upper hand in the superhero genre for over a decade, shows like “Titans” prove that DC still has tricks up its sleeve. This series, led by Nightwing (Brenton Thwaites), is moody and thrilling. The diverse roster of heroes allows for the stunt team to create highly original sequences. From Beast Boy’s shape-shifting and Raven’s demonic powers to Starfire’s pyrotechnics and Nightwing’s brutal fisticuffs, the fights in “Titans” are always full of surprises.
“The Walking Dead”
This may be the zombie drama’s last season, but that doesn’t mean the team behind “The Walking Dead” is running out of ideas. Shocking deaths and gory fight scenes abound, bringing everything fans have come to expect to the thrilling conclusion of this long-running horror hit.
“What We Do in the Shadows”
Based on the cult classic film of the same name, “What We Do in the Shadows” does something unexpected: It turns vampires into some of the funniest characters on television. The stunt team helps them pull it off. The actors fly, fight, crawl up walls, and of course, drink a lot of blood, and it’s always exhilarating to watch.
