Picture this: a rising star's Hollywood journey begins with a quirky, long-lost TV series that eerily mirrors a massive film success—could it be the hidden spark that ignited his iconic career? But here's where it gets controversial... let's dive into the untold story of Timothy Olyphant's early days and the forgotten '90s show that might have paved the way for bigger things.
Back in 1996, a young Timothy Olyphant stepped onto the small screen for the first time, securing a spot in a television series with a title that still turns heads today. Dubbed 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith,' this show followed the thrilling lives of two undercover spies entangled in a messy romantic affair. For beginners, think of it as a blend of espionage drama and relationship comedy, where secrets and seduction collide. Importantly, this wasn't tied to the 2005 blockbuster movie starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, nor to Alfred Hitchcock's classic 1940s romantic comedy. And no, the later film didn't steal ideas from this earlier TV version—though, as the co-creator shared with me in a 2024 interview (check out the full chat at https://www.slashfilm.com/1508304/original-mr-mrs-smith-was-90s-cbs-show-lost-to-time/), it's easy to see why some might suspect a connection.
So, what role did Olyphant snag in this series? Unfortunately, he wasn't cast as the lead, Mr. Smith—that honor went to Scott Bakula. Instead, Olyphant portrayed Scooby, a loyal member of Mr. Smith's spy squad who comes across as the epitome of cool reliability. But here's the twist most people miss: Scooby is revealed as a double agent, flipping to the dark side in the pilot episode (that's the first episode of a TV show, designed to hook viewers and producers). The climax sees him turning villainous, attempting to gun down Mr. and Mrs. Smith in a shocking betrayal.
I know spoiling a plot from a nearly 30-year-old series that's vanished from streaming platforms might sting, but trust me, it's still a blast to watch Olyphant in action, even if you're in on the secret. His portrayal of Scooby injects a burst of lively energy into an otherwise sluggish episode by modern standards—think of it as the standout performance that elevates the whole thing, much like how a great supporting actor can steal the show in a blockbuster.
This marked Olyphant's final appearance on the series, which was swiftly canceled and faded into obscurity. While it wasn't the breakout hit he probably envisioned, it could have been a crucial stepping stone. Fast-forward just a year, and he landed a role in 'Scream 2' (in my opinion, the pinnacle of the 'Scream' franchise—read why at https://www.slashfilm.com/1081024/why-scream-2-is-actually-the-best-movie-in-the-franchise/) as Mickey Altieri. It's tempting to wonder if his work on 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith' played a part in that casting decision.
Indeed, 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith' might have opened doors for Olyphant's spot in 'Scream 2.'
CBS
Heads up: Major spoilers for the 'Scream' series ahead.
Olyphant's character, Mickey, isn't always a fan favorite among 'Scream' enthusiasts, largely because he lurks in the background before his big reveal. To clarify for newcomers, this is more a script issue than Olyphant's acting—fans rave about his performance, especially in the movie's intense finale when Mickey drops the mask. Mickey stands out as one of the most sadistic and least relatable killers in the Ghostface lineup, driven by a thirst for fame rather than vengeance. Sure, you could say the same about the antagonist in 'Scream 4' (which is way better than you might recall—see the breakdown at https://www.slashfilm.com/1183361/why-scream-4-is-much-better-than-you-remember/), but at least that villain was purely fame-hungry without the gleeful torture Mickey inflicts, like the psychological torment he heaps on Neve Campbell's Sydney.
No one from 'Scream 2' has publicly credited 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith' for Olyphant's casting. In fact, when industry reports (including Variety at https://variety.com/1997/film/news/olyphant-ready-to-scream-1116679247/) announced his addition to the cast, they highlighted his cameo on the medical drama 'High Incident' from 1997 instead, ignoring the spy show entirely.
Still, it's intriguing to speculate: Perhaps Olyphant's Scooby performance caught the casting director's eye, or maybe embodying a villain like Scooby ignited his passion for dark roles, making him extra motivated to pursue 'Scream 2.' In a 2015 Variety interview (https://variety.com/2015/tv/features/timothy-olyphant-on-scream-2-and-saying-goodbye-to-justified-1201435776/), Olyphant kept it simple: 'I auditioned—multiple times. Why wouldn't I want to be in 'Scream'? I wanted to be in the first one.'
Landing 'Scream 2' was a game-changer for Olyphant. As he reflected in that same chat, 'That 'Scream' role was quite a gift. I had virtually nothing on my resume at that point. I'm sure some of it was made up. That was a leap of faith they all took. I'm very appreciative of them being willing to take that risk.'
And this is the part most people miss: Could a canceled '90s spy show really be the unsung hero of a horror franchise icon? Do you think the themes of betrayal and villainy in 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith' subconsciously influenced Olyphant's approach to Mickey, or is that just wishful fan theory? What about the plagiarism debate—does the similarity in titles and concepts feel like coincidence or something more? Share your opinions in the comments—do you agree that 'Scream 2' is the best in the series, or is there another favorite? Let's discuss!
