)
Cobie Smulders has been in our collective consciousness for what, now, feels like forever. But forever was how long it took, apparently, for her to finally get her own spotlight, which has arrived in the form of ABC's new series Stumptown.
It might feel like Smulders has been around forever because, well, she kind of has. For most, she entered the picture in 2005, with the debut of How I Met Your Mother, where she played Robin Scherbatsky for nine seasons. Despite the, well, let's say mixed reactions to that show's finale, what it managed to accomplish along the 208-episode ride was a no-doubt-about it statement about Smulders' skill as a performer. She's got charisma, charm, and a smooth coolness that everyone has to love.
And while Smulders has appeared in other roles in the time during and since How I Met Your MotherNetflix's Friends From College and several Marvel Cinematic Universe appearances as Maria Hill, chief among themABC's Stumptown is the first time that she's ever been a show's true headliner. She's a bit player in the Marvel movies, and while she's certainly one of the main characters in Friends From College, she's got spotlight to share with Keegan-Michael Key, Fred Savage, and others.
Which is why Stumptown feels so different. The show bills Smulders up top the also-great Jake Johnson, and TV veteran Michael Ealy, but it's clear from the opening minutes of the Stumptown pilot that this is Cobie's show. Throughout the episode, we follow as her characteran Afghanistan vet named Dexgets roped into solving a mystery in her grittier-than-you'd expect Portland setting. She's far from a perfect person; with a gambling problem introduced in, I don't know, maybe the show's first four minutes, we know she's just like us. Flawed, and stuck in her vices, but just trying to live her best life. Smulders has always been great at leveling with her viewers when she wants to.
)
)
)
And for anyone who may have been a fan of FOX's long-running sitcom New Girl, Jake Johnson is here, once again playing a bartender. This time, he's Dex's only friendand the employer of her sweet-hearted and disabled brother, Ansel. Johnson is always quick to crack a one-liner, and there's plenty of those here, but the hope is that his character will wind up with a deeper purpose than just being Dex's support.
For being the main characters in the show, Smulders and Johnson actually don't have too much time on-screen together early. That probably is because Johnson was a late addition to the cast; hopefully their shared on-screen time increases with future episodes, because the chemistry the two share is admirable. Two old comedy vets, coming together in a new show. You love to see it!
All things considered, Stumptown isn't re-inventing the wheel: each episode will probably have a 'case of the week,' a mystery to solve. But it's leads are so likable, it's hard to not like the show. Having watched Smulders and Johnson for years on their other projects greatly aids the new show here; despite not knowing much about these people at all, we already feel like we're friends with them. And hey, who knows what could happen down the linebut for now, we're happy to welcome these friends back into our lives.