Tuesday’s episode of Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD uncorked a Simmons-centric hour where viewers finally learned what she went through from that hellish planet. Turns out, Simmons was not alone during the harrowing journey. In a host of interviews, actress Elizabeth Henstridge breaks down the slew of challenges she faced while doing the daunting storyline.
The episode revealed that Simmons met Will, a former astronaut sent by NASA through the portal back in 2001. Will and Simmons did everything to figure out where the next portal opening will be, only to realize the monster doesn't want them to leave the planet. Eventually, they bonded, fell in love and seemed ready to settle to life in the planet. When the two went out for a rare view of the sunrise, Simmons sees Fitz's flare and sets off in its direction. Will sacrificed himself in order for Simmons to escape when the monster tried to stop them. Now Simmons wanted desperately to go back to save Will. In an interview with IGN, Henstridge explained her reaction while first reading the script.
“When they first told me, I thought, "There's no way this is going to end up happening." I thought "Amazing idea. Super cool. I'm so honored to have been challenged with this, but somewhere along the line it's not going to get approved, because it's such a crazy thing to do," she said.
Henstridge admitted in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that she felt overwhelmed while filming the Oct. 27th installment titled “4722 Hours”.
"It was definitely very challenging. I always expected it to be challenging. It’s a different mindset," she revealed. Later adding that she even compared herself to Scandal's Kerry Washington in the midst of feeling the pressure.
Moving forward, expect for Gemma and Fitz to get closer as they both make it a mission to save Will from the other side.
“They're focusing on getting Will back and doing the right, humane thing. The fact that Fitz is willing to help means there is still hope for their relationship,” the actress teased in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
Marvel's Agents of SHIELD airs every Tuesday at 9PM on ABC.
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