On the latest episode of the ABC series Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., entitled “Deals with our Devils,” the temporary disappearance of Coulson (Clark Gregg), Fitz (Ian De Caestecker) and Robbie (Gabriel Luna) had some interesting consequences, resulting in the Ghost Rider spirit taking up temporary residence inside of Mack (Henry Simmons) and the team learning some crucial information about Aida (Mallory Jansen).
During a recent press junket held on the top-secret set, Collider (along with a handful of other outlets) spoke to actor Henry Simmons about the events of the episode and the lasting effects of being taken over by the spirit of vengeance. During the interview, he talked about how shocked and flattered he was to find out about that twist in the storytelling, looking at Gabriel Luna’s performance while forming his own, how he experience will give Mack a new found respect for Robbie, what Mack thinks of the new S.H.I.E.L.D. director (Jason O’Mara), and repairing his relationship with Daisy (Chloe Bennet).
Question: What was your reaction when you found out what was going to happen in this episode?
HENRY SIMMONS: I was shocked! I was completely shocked and flattered. That’s a pretty big property. Ghost Rider is a lot of responsibility. So, I started my work beforehand. The one thing they told me was that they said, “Okay, we want you to have something a little bit different from Robbie Reyes and what Gabe [Luna] is doing. We want to put your spin on it.” And when I went home and started thinking about it, I was like, “It’s already different because it’s me. What I need to work on is not the difference, but the similarity. It’s the spirit that’s similar.” So, I looked at what Gabe was doing and I tried to incorporate some of the things that he did physically, but in my own way. Let me tell you, it was great for one episode, but I wouldn’t want to do it, all the time. Oh, my gosh! Geez! Where’s the humor?! It’s a little different. It’s hard to crack jokes when you’re a skull.
We know that Robbie has had time to get some control over the Ghost Rider spirit. So, what’s it like for Mack to not have that control?
SIMMONS: That was easier, in a way. As an actor, you just let go and let the Ghost Rider speak through you. It wasn’t a struggle. But I will say that every person that’s inhabited by Ghost Rider, there are residual effects afterward, and that’s going to be interesting to see.
How will the Ghost Rider experience affect Mack, going forward?
SIMMONS: The Ghost Rider has a way of tapping into pain and rage and your vulnerability. He has a way of tapping into that and using it for strength, and when he does that, it opens wounds and opens doors that people have tried to close for a long time, or may have buried. So, when Mack is no longer the Ghost Rider, he has issues he has to deal with, and because of those issues, it affects other relationships that he has. I’m grateful that the writers gave that to me. It was absolutely wonderful.
Does having that Ghost Rider experience give him any different feelings toward Robbie? Does he get a new sense of respect for what he’s been dealing with?
SIMMONS: Absolutely! Very good question. You’ve seen in the episodes that have already aired that he doesn’t care for Robbie. He’s another super powered person that’s unpredictable, and he just doesn’t like that stuff. But after experiencing the spirit of the Rider and knowing what that’s about, there’s absolutely a great deal of respect that he has for him, and an empathy, as well. He understands that that is a burden. It’s not a gift, by any means.
Because Mack has been the everyman on the team, did you think you’d ever get to experience being a superhero like this?
SIMMONS: When they were just handing out Inhuman powers like a deck of cards, I was like, “Where’s mine?!” And then, they called me in and were like, “Yeah, you know, we’re not going to give you any powers.” I was like, “Okay. All right.” They wanted me to be the guy to represent [not having powers] because I’m the biggest guy on the show. It’s why I get knocked out, all the time. It shows that, “Oh, wow, if he gets beaten, then whoever is beating him down must have some serious power.” And I understand that. Coulson has a hand. Daisy has her powers. Now, I like it. I like that Mack doesn’t have powers. I like that he’s not invincible and can get hurt. That’s what I consider true bravery, when you know the odds are against you, but you go ahead anyway. That’s truly being brave.
How does Mack feel about Mace as Director?
SIMMONS: Mack is wary of authority, and particularly Mace. He comes in and there’s something about him that’s unsettling. He has all of this power, but he’s passive aggressive and he’s just too nice. Do you trust people like that? I don’t. I think everyone feels like Coulson, even though he doesn’t have the title, is still the leader. With the mishaps and the lack of authority that Mace should step into but isn’t, there’s going to be problems. But Mack butted heads with Coulson when he was there. I like that.
Once Mack is loyal to someone, he’s steadfast in that loyalty. Now that Daisy is back on the team, what does that mean to him?
SIMMONS: It feels like the family is back together, but it’s not the same. Do you ever feel like that, where there’s a friend or someone who you care about, and when you finally connect with them, you’re together and you connect, but it’s just not quite the same? That’s the feeling that he has with Daisy. He will always love her. She’s family, but she’s going through some things, which she won’t allow us to really help her with.
What’s it like for him to see her struggling, but not letting anyone help her?
SIMMONS: That’s frustrating. When you’re trying to help someone you love and you know they need your help, and you know you can help them, and yet they keep you at arms length, that’s frustrating. It doesn’t mean you love them any less, but it’s frustrating. Because of the dynamic of these missions where I’m with Coulson and she’s off doing another thing, there’s so much upheaval and so much going on that it doesn’t really allow for time for us to sit down and really heal and help her.
What do you think it will take to get them in a better place than they are now? Is there a way to repair that?
SIMMONS: Oh, absolutely! And I feel like it will take something dramatic. She will have to recognize how much she means to Mack, whether it be him protecting her and getting hurt in the process, or him saving her, or doing something that makes her understand that he really cares and it’s time for her to open up.
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. airs on Tuesday nights on ABC.
