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Zuri Reed and Lyndon Smith talk National Treasure and agree Agent Ross is plucky

Ahead of the release of National Treasure: Edge of History on Disney+ Hotstar from December 14, actors Zuri Reed and Lyndon Smith share some of their fondest memories from filming and more.

Published on: Dec 13, 2022, 14:28:02 IST
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Actors Zuri Reed and Lyndon Smith, who play Tasha and Agent Ross in Disney+ Hotstar's National Treasure: Edge of History, spoke to Hindustan Times about their characters, how they bonded over that one pivotal scene that comes late in the show. Also, why Agent Ross could be described as plucky!

Zuri Reed stars as Tasha and Lyndon Smith stars as Agent Ross in National Treasure: Edge of History.
Zuri Reed stars as Tasha and Lyndon Smith stars as Agent Ross in National Treasure: Edge of History.

I am curious to know what you took back from your own characters from the series, and how was the filming process.

Lyndon Smith: Well this was an interesting role for me in that I got to do a lot more stunts than what I am used to do in shows. So, yeah, being able to have that gift of...doing so much physicality in a role that is something I will be taking with me... into other roles, because I haven't done a lot of things that are action-heavy and this is a action-heavy show.

Zuri Reed: Same, really. This is my first action project as well. I play someone who knows that she is a genius when it comes to technology.. and hacking.. and she is so so smart with that and I am not! (laughs) so spending some time with her was kinda cool!

Lyndon: I am curious... did you like, read things in the script and then research what that was?

Zuri: Absolutely! So many times, yes! (smiles)

Lyndon: I have always wondered because like usually there's always a tech person in a lot of shows and I am like...they are also learning all of these things too!

Zuri: Absolutely!

Lyndon: So now you can hack all our computers?

Zuri: Basically! (smiles) Beware!

Lyndon: The entire process was amazing! We had a great time!

National Treasure: Edge of History premieres on Disney+ Hotstar from Dec 14.
National Treasure: Edge of History premieres on Disney+ Hotstar from Dec 14.

If I could quickly ask both of you to share your fondest memory from set.

Zuri: Oh, goodness! There are so many!

Lyndon: There are lots! (smiles)

Okay, two or three fondest memories then!

(both laugh together)

Lyndon: Okay. It is also hard to not give spoilers away. Okay, so this is a non-spoiler. So, one of my favourite moments in the entire series is actually a scene that I get to do with Zuri and it's funny because we both had this as an audition scene. It happens late in the season and for Agent Ross it is one of the greatest pivoting moments in her character. Zuri changes her. The relationship that these two have. I think they change each other for the better. Getting to do that scene with Zuri was... I mean she's such an incredible actress. That day was on of my favourite days on set. Also one of my biggest growing days on set. I took a lot of notes off that scene.

Zuri: You know what, I will say the exact same!

Lyndon: Yes, you will! (smiles)

Zuri: Lyndon Smith is absolutely incredible! That was our...one of the audition scenes, but to take it from the audition process to now filming... and again it is like later on in the season, we grew up so much, that's such a changing moment for Agent Ross and Tasha as well, but I don't really think that Tasha is being changed in the moment because she is so stuck in her ways but..(pauses and looks at Lyndon) it does...it changes her.

Lyndon: It was like acting with a capital A!

So, if I would ask you to describe your characters in two words, what would you say?

Zuri: In two words?(pauses) I will do three words.

Great, go for it.

Zuri: I will say, sassy, tech, genius.

Lyndon: Oh, that describes her perfectly!

Zuri: Yeah! (smiles)

Lyndon: One word that we used to describe Agent Ross a lot was..(Zuri nods and joins in together) plucky! (both laugh) It started early on, when we first met the team, they were like Agent Ross is such a plucky character! I just love that because when was the last time that you heard the word plucky? So I am gonna say plucky, and umm… empathetic. Because she has a great way of balancing the logic and the rules as well as seeing the person behind everything. So, plucky and empathetic. (smiles)

National Treasure: Edge of History will be streaming on Disney+ Hotstar from December 14, 2022.

  • Santanu Das
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Santanu Das

    Santanu Das is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over 5 years of experience, writing on films, pop culture and film festivals. He has a keen interest in writing about South Asian independent films and has covered several film festivals, including Sundance and CPH: Docx. He also brings a sharp perspective to the monthly column called The Fault in Our Stars, where he writes about a recent film/series and what stops the ‘good’ from becoming ‘great’. A gold medalist from Banaras Hindu University, Santanu completed his postgraduate studies in English from Jadavpur University. He is also a Rotten Tomatoes-certified film critic. When not watching films or speaking to celebrities, Santanu can be found reading a book. Some of his favourite films are Aparajito, Ponyo and The Double Life of Veronique. His favourite books include The Corrections, The God of Small Things and A Room of One's Own. Santanu continues to write passionately about films and celebrity culture. He brings a relatable, as well as critically informed, lens to entertainment and culture for a wide audience. Find him on LinkedIn: santanudasfilm Instagram: @santupechaRead More

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