Cobie Smulders, once known mainly for her lighthearted role in a popular sitcom, is now stepping into a whole new genre. The Canadian actress, who gained fame as Robin Scherbatsky on How I Met Your Mother, is taking on a bold new challenge in the action film world.
Smulders played Robin for several years, becoming a familiar face to audiences around the world. The show, set in New York, often included jokes about her Canadian background. Though some viewers found these jokes funny, Smulders admitted they sometimes got on her nerves.
In a recent interview, she shared how those jokes affected her. The writing team behind the sitcom mostly came from the U.S., with only one Canadian on board. “The Canadian jokes get irritating, but they find it so funny how much it irritates me,” she said, laughing. She even wondered aloud how Canadians might feel about the portrayal, asking, “Am I insulting my country?”
Before acting, Smulders tried modeling at the age of 17. However, she quickly discovered it wasn’t for her, saying she “wasn’t successful” in that line of work. She soon turned to acting and began building her career in Vancouver. Early roles in Smallville and The L Word helped her get noticed, and her first series, Veritas, was filmed in Toronto.
Her big break came with How I Met Your Mother, a show she never expected to last as long as it did. “I never thought it would run for seven seasons,” she said. The show’s success came as a surprise, but it gave her a steady platform and a loyal fan base.
Now, Smulders is on the big screen in her first major film role. She plays Maria Hill, a serious and skilled agent working for S.H.I.E.L.D. in The Avengers. The movie, packed with superheroes and intense action scenes, is a clear change from her comedy background.
This new role is a big step for Smulders, and she says she is thrilled about it. “I like to challenge myself and grow as an actress,” she explained. She also said she was eager to work with Joss Whedon, the writer and director of the film, whose creative work she has admired.
Taking on the part of Maria Hill gave her the chance to explore a different side of acting. The role is more intense, focused, and grounded compared to her past work. It allowed Smulders to show a more serious, action-ready version of herself on screen.
The shift from sitcom comedy to high-stakes action may seem risky, but Smulders welcomes it. Her goal is to keep improving and push herself in new directions. By choosing a project so different from her earlier work, she is proving that she is more than just a sitcom star.
Fans of her earlier roles may be surprised, but Smulders hopes they will support her as she takes this next step. She knows this role will help expand her acting range and open up new opportunities in film.
As The Avengers hits theaters, it marks not just another blockbuster release but a major turning point in Cobie Smulders’ career. Moving away from comedy, she is now firmly stepping into the world of action — and showing she’s ready for whatever comes next.
