Episode Summary: Michael Fassbender Heads Up 'The Agency'

Podcast: All Of It
Host: Alison Stewart
Guest: Michael Fassbender
Air Date: December 17, 2024
Duration: Approximately 24 minutes
Platform: WNYC

Introduction to 'The Agency' and Michael Fassbender

In this episode of All Of It, host Alison Stewart welcomes acclaimed actor Michael Fassbender to discuss his role in the new thriller series, The Agency. Fassbender stars as Martian, an undercover CIA agent whose true identity and backstory are shrouded in deception.

Alison Stewart begins by outlining the premise:

"In the new series The Agency, Michael Fassbender plays an undercover CIA agent named Martian. Of course, that's not his real name and most of what he tells people about his life isn't real either. That's the crux of what's happening in this thriller." [00:17]

Fassbender expresses his enthusiasm for the project, highlighting the strong writing and the involvement of director Joe Wright:

"When the project came to me at the beginning of the year, the writing was great... I was a fan of that series and I knew we had a really great blueprint with that." [01:22]

Character Exploration: Martian's Complexity

Fassbender delves into the nuances of his character, Martian, emphasizing the psychological depth and moral ambiguity inherent in his role.

Martian's Deceptive Nature:

"It's such a sort of throwaway lie... he's just sort of woven lies into his reality. And I don't think he knows the difference because it reminded me of that scene in Apocalypse Now..." [04:04]

Fassbender compares Martian's continuous deception to maintaining a blurred line between truth and fabrication, making Martian a deeply conflicted individual striving to preserve his cover while grappling with his humanity.

Sociopathic Tendencies: A pivotal moment in the interview includes a clip from the show where Martian discusses the CIA's dehumanizing effect:

"The nation needs protecting... it's hoping we don't suddenly flip and become well and can no longer do the job." [06:52]

Fassbender reflects on this, noting Martian's sociopathic traits as both a survival mechanism and a source of internal conflict:

"It's advantageous to be sociopathic in this kind of job... he's so deceptive with everyone." [07:57]

Collaboration with the Butterworth Brothers and Joe Wright

Discussing the creative process, Fassbender highlights the autonomy he was given by the writers, the Butterworth brothers—Jez and his brother, who are award-winning playwrights—and director Joe Wright.

"They didn't really tell me. I was left to my own devices... why would you want to become a spy? Because for me, the sacrifice is so all-encompassing." [02:41]

This independence allowed Fassbender to deeply explore Martian's motivations and the psychological toll of undercover work.

Martian's Personal Relationships and Inner Conflict

Fassbender elaborates on Martian's strained relationships, particularly with his lover Samia and his daughter, underscoring the personal sacrifices demanded by his profession.

Relationship with Samia:

"He is so in love with this woman Samia, that he might just blow his and everyone else's cover." [00:17]

Dynamic with His Daughter:

"In episode one, he lies to his daughter about the apartment that he's in. It's such a throwaway lie... Maybe he's doing that to make lies and reality the same thing." [04:04]

Fassbender discusses the emotional struggle Martian faces in reconnecting with his daughter after six years of absence, highlighting the character's battle to reclaim his humanity:

"It's his job and these two personal relationships. And that's the crux of the story... this battle for his soul." [05:57]

Acting Challenges: Embracing Dialogue-Heavy Script

Transitioning to the technical aspects of acting, Fassbender shares his experience with the dialogue-intensive nature of The Agency, contrasting it with his previous roles that required less verbal expression.

"It was my first time doing a TV show and being the lead in it, where I had to tackle... it's a 10-hour journey as opposed to two hours." [08:10]

He humorously remarks on the demanding process:

"I spend a lot of time just in a room learning lines... Unfortunately, I'm not very smart, so it takes me a long time to learn lines." [08:35]

Interpersonal Dynamics on Set: Chemistry with Co-stars

Fassbender praises his co-stars, particularly India Fowler, who plays his daughter Poppy, and Jeffrey Wright, portraying Henry, a by-the-book CIA agent opposite Martian.

Chemistry with India Fowler:

"There's a real connection between them because I think there's similarities... she's smart, she's private, she's onto him." [09:41]

Dynamic with Jeffrey Wright:

"Jeffrey's character, Henry, is very much by the book... Martian likes to operate in a place of chaos. There's respect and admiration, but cracks start to happen midway." [12:05]

Fassbender highlights the contrasting personalities and the tension that arises as the season progresses.

Balancing Personal Life and Acting Career

The conversation shifts to Fassbender's personal life, particularly how fatherhood influences his approach to work and life balance.

"I find I'm more effective in the times that I have available to each thing... switch off and be present with them." [19:02]

He reflects on the shift from a career-centric life to prioritizing his children:

"Having kids from me, it's all about them now... they're the most important thing." [20:15]

Fassbender shares humorous insights into how his children perceive his acting:

"They spend the whole time just watching. They know his sort of weak points... cry with tears is more effective than crying without tears." [20:19]

Upcoming Projects and Artistic Choices

Looking ahead, Fassbender mentions his involvement in another spy film alongside Cate Blanchett, discussing how his past roles inform his current performances.

"I have a great experience in doing another spy thing called Haywire... pure coincidence that they're both spy things." [21:27]

He recounts training experiences that overlap with his roles, underscoring his commitment to authenticity:

"Learned a lot back then... profile people, optimum seat in a room." [23:09]

Brief Mention of 'Kneecap' and Personal Interests

In a swift transition, Alison touches upon Fassbender's role in the film Kneecap, where he portrays the father of a character involved in the IRA.

"I play the dad of one of the guys in Kneecap. I'm an ex IRA member... coming back into his life." [23:46]

Fassbender also shares his musical interests, citing Kendrick Lamar as his current favorite hip-hop artist:

"My favorite is Always Notorious. Always my favorite." [24:21]

Conclusion

As the interview wraps up, Alison Stewart reiterates the key points about The Agency and Fassbender's multifaceted role, inviting listeners to tune in to the series on Paramount+ and Showtime.

"You can watch Michael Fassbender, the star of The Agency. It's on Paramount. Plus with Showtime." [24:27]

Fassbender expresses his gratitude for the conversation:

"Likewise. Thanks so much, Alison." [24:40]

Key Takeaways

• Depth of Character: Michael Fassbender's portrayal of Martian in The Agency delves into the psychological complexities of an undercover CIA agent struggling with deception and personal sacrifices.

• Collaborative Creativity: The collaboration with the Butterworth brothers and director Joe Wright provided Fassbender with the creative freedom to explore intricate character motivations and ethical dilemmas.

• Balancing Act: Fassbender emphasizes the importance of compartmentalizing his professional and personal life, especially as a father, to maintain effectiveness in both realms.

• Future Endeavors: Upcoming projects, including collaborations with notable directors and actors like Cate Blanchett, indicate Fassbender's continued commitment to challenging and diverse roles.

This episode offers an in-depth look into Michael Fassbender's latest role, highlighting his dedication to character development and the intricate storytelling behind The Agency. Listeners gain valuable insights into the actor's process, the show's thematic depth, and the balancing act between personal life and professional commitments.