A New Breed of Action-Comedy Hits the Screen
The highly anticipated television series Ride or Die promises a thrilling blend of high-octane action, sharp comedy, and a distinctly unconventional buddy dynamic, according to its stars and executive producers Octavia Spencer and Hannah Waddingham. The eight-episode series, set to premiere on July 15th, centers on the enduring friendship between Debbie Claybourne, an American married to a British parliamentarian, portrayed by Spencer, and Judith Burton, played by Waddingham. Their lifelong bond faces an unprecedented challenge when Judith is revealed to be a formidable international assassin.
From London to European Adventures
When their established lives in London are irrevocably disrupted, the unlikely duo finds themselves thrust into a perilous European road trip. This journey forces them to rely on each other as they navigate danger and uncover hidden truths. Waddingham, 51, highlighted the show’s unique premise at its recent London premiere, stating, “It’s like Bourne and Bond and the funnies and all of it together but this friendship… the fact there’s two women in their 50s, you know, it’s not seen very often.” She further emphasized, “It’s very unique. I’m thrilled to be a woman of a certain age and getting these opportunities.”
Spencer, 56, echoed this sentiment, expressing her enthusiasm for the audience to witness the pairing. “I’m really excited for the world to see Hannah and I completely out of context,” she remarked.
A Creator’s Vision for Female-Led Action
The series is the brainchild of comedian, writer, and performer Tessa Coates. Her vision was to create a large-scale assassin narrative anchored by a best friend relationship, deliberately steering away from traditional romantic or familial ties. “It’s really big. We shot it in Prague over nine months and we basically have made eight movies. It’s got some huge, big scope action pieces in it,” Coates explained.
The creative team shared that the concept sparked a significant bidding war among streaming platforms during a virtual pitch. Coates observed, “There is a huge appetite for this kind of show, and they’re so often sort of pushed aside.” She added, “You say ‘women’ and people immediately take their foot off the gas and say it doesn’t matter, but it does matter.”
High-Octane Entertainment with a Grounded Core
Waddingham recounted the intense bidding process, calling it “crazy because it was a bidding war in the room, which is really unheard of, all of us kind of pinching ourselves when they were going, ‘Oh, we’d like to take it on.'” She elaborated on the show’s appeal, noting, “I think because it is high-octane action, high-octane comedy, high-octane drama, all together, and at the heart of it, Octavia and I were constantly trying to root it and tether it to the ground with the friendship.”
Ride or Die also features Bill Nighy in the role of the director of the agency where Judith is employed. The series will be available for streaming on Prime Video on July 15th.
