Enter S.J. Clarkson, the director of the first two episodes of Netflix’s “The Defenders” and also an executive producer for the show — which merges the stories of four Marvel heroes: Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Matt Murdock (Daredevil) and Danny Rand (Iron Fist). Clarkson told TheWrap during a recent interview that she doesn’t overthink being a woman in a genre largely governed by men. For her, it’s much more straightforward: “I get asked about being a female director, and my answer is always: I don’t know any other way because I am a woman and I am a director,” she said.
“Directing is an incredibly challenging job, whether you’re male or female,” she told TheWrap. “You’re sort of wrangling and wrestling a script and an army of people to come together and realize the vision that you have for this piece. I think it’s demanding on so many levels and, you know, I suppose what I always try to do is I don’t even think about, ‘Oh, I’m a woman. I’m directing a superhero.’ I just think, ‘Oh, they sent me a script and it really excites me.'”
Clarkson also worked on “Jessica Jones” Season 1 as a director and executive producer. “This is about a private investigator — she’s a superhero, but she’s this woman, ultimately, who is flawed, damaged, vulnerable, but equally abrasive, strong, sarcastic, witty, and it was all those characteristics that made me fall in love with Jessica and want to direct it. It wasn’t necessarily the fact that she was a superhero,” Clarkson told TheWrap of the superheroine played by Krysten Ritter.
“And when it comes to ‘The Defenders,’ I was interested in the idea that you’ve got these other flawed independent characters that all, you know, have their own unique qualities, and how they work when they’re together.”
Clarkson said she tries to tune out any noise about gender stereotypes in whatever genre she’s working in, and instead focus on the script. Clarkson has worked in a wide-range of genres, from drama to action — she also directed episodes for “Orange is the New Black,” “Bates Motel,” “Banshee,” “Dexter” and “White Chapel,” among others.
“If I’m excited about it, I hope whatever I do with it will come across and it will be enjoyable for the audience,” she said.
“The Defenders” premieres on Netflix on Aug. 18.
See New Poster for 'The Defenders,' Plus 40 New Pics From Netflix Series (Photos)
Netflix's anticipated "The Defenders" is out this month, and the streaming service is teasing fans with a new poster and new production stills from season one. Scroll through for pictures of Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter), Danny Rand/Iron Fist (Finn Jones), Luke Cage (Mike Colter) and Matt Murdoch/Daredevil in the new series.
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Alexandra (Sigourney Weaver) and Elektra (Elodie Yung), presumably discussing hooded outerwear
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Alexandra (Sigourney Weaver) and Madame Gao (Wai Ching Ho) having a villain hang session
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Elektra (Elodie Yung), post-beating people up
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Elektra (Elodie Yung), getting armed
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Colleen (Jessica Henwick) and Claire Temple (Rosario Dawson)
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Claire Temple (Rosario Dawson) and Misty Knight (Simone Missick)
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Karen (Deborah Ann Woll) and Foggy (Elden Henson)
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Karen (Deborah Ann Woll)
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Colleen (Jessica Henwick)
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Luke Cage (Mike Colter)
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Trish (Rachael Taylor) and Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter)
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Alexandra (Sigourney Weaver)
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Colleen (Jessica Henwick) and Danny Rand (Finn Jones)
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Misty Knight (Simone Missick) and Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter)
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Danny Rand/Iron Fist (Finn Jones)
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Alexandra (Sigourney Weaver)
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Alexandra (Sigourney Weaver)
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Misty Knight (Simone Missick)
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Elektra (Elodie Yung)
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Luke Cage (Mike Colter), Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter), Daredevil/Matt Murdoch (Charlie Cox)
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Iron Fist (Finn Jones) and Daredevil (Charlie Cox)
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Luke Cage (Mike Colter), Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter), Iron Fist (Finn Jones) and Daredevil (Charlie Cox)
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Daredevil (Charlie Cox)
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Elektra (Elodie Yung)
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Stick (Scott Glenn)
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Danny Rand/Iron Fist (Finn Jones)
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Danny Rand/Iron Fist (Finn Jones) and Luke Cage (Mike Colter)
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Luke Cage (Mike Colter)
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Danny Rand/Iron Fist (Finn Jones) and Luke Cage (Mike Colter)
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Luke Cage (Mike Colter) and Misty Knight (Simone Missick)
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Luke Cage (Mike Colter) and Claire Temple (Rosario Dawson)
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Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter)
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Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter)
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Matt Murdoch (Charlie Cox) and Misty Knight (Simone Missick)
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Matt Murdoch (Charlie Cox), Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter) and Misty Knight (Simone Missick)
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Luke Cage (Mike Colter) and Matt Murdoch (Charlie Cox)
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Matt Murdoch (Charlie Cox)
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Matt Murdoch (Charlie Cox)
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Danny Rand (Finn Jones) and Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter)
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Luke Cage (Mike Colter), Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter), Iron Fist (Finn Jones) and Daredevil (Charlie Cox)
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Marvel Comics Show debuts Aug. 18
Netflix's anticipated "The Defenders" is out this month, and the streaming service is teasing fans with a new poster and new production stills from season one. Scroll through for pictures of Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter), Danny Rand/Iron Fist (Finn Jones), Luke Cage (Mike Colter) and Matt Murdoch/Daredevil in the new series.