'Stumptown' introduces us to a different side of Cobie Smulders who plays a bisexual private investigator with PTSD and a gambling problem
The Canadian treasure that is Cobie Smulders was first introduced to us through CBS comedy 'How I Met Your Mother', but since then, the versatile actress has taken on projects that show off her various talents. The upcoming ABC show 'Stumptown' is no different, except that unlike ever before we see her carry the show on her shoulders for the first time, embodying a character so unhinged and so unfiltered that it would make Ted Mosby cover in fear.
Inspired by the Greg Rucka' comic book series by the same name, 'Stumptown' is the story of Dex Parios, a bisexual female private investigator with a gambling problem. She is as complicated as she sounds, and as Smulders told MEA WorldWide (MEAWW) at the San Diego Comic-Con 2019, "She is so complicated… She is messy and… very unhinged."
Dex is not here to look pretty for anyone, nor is she interested in making friends. As the sole owner of Portland's Stumptown Investigations, she already has a lot on her plate, and that is before you add taking care of younger brother Ansel who has Down Syndrome to her share of responsibilities. As Thrilling Detective puts it, the comic book version of Dex is a "blue-collar smart ass and a certified tough cookie who is not shy about expressing her 'up yours' take on life" to anyone.
What sets her apart from most PI protagonists is the fact that she is not squeaky clean. Her intentions are not to protect and serve or to really put bad guys behind bars. It is to get her life back on track. She is floating through life, and she is barely getting by in every avenue of life – except for work.
The TV show promises to not sway too far from the comic book realization of the character, at least based on the trailer and Smulders' description of her. "This is a character who's dealing with PTSD. She had some really traumatic events happen to her when she was in the military service. She's 10 years out but she's still struggling, and she copes with that through many different addictions," said the actress.
We see her battle her personal demons and find ways to cope with what the rickety ride that is her life throws at her. The show promises to be a great watch, especially for those who love their anti-hero protagonist with deep shades of grey.
'Stumptown' premieres on ABC on Wednesday, September 25.
