Why You Rarely See Cobie Smulders On Screen Anymore

As a huge fan of Cobie Smulders and her acting career, I can’t help but be in awe of how this talented woman continues to inspire and impress us with her diverse roles and personal passions.

Cobie Smulders gained fame for her star-making performance on the CBS comedy series “How I Met Your Mother.” Over the course of nine seasons, Smulders brought Robin Scherbatsky to life, a Canadian newswoman who relocated to New York City in pursuit of journalistic success. Throughout her journey, she encountered an amazing circle of friends, unveiled her past as a teen idol, and ultimately secured her coveted dream job.

During her tenure at CBS, Smulders also made a mark in films. In 2012, she became part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Maria Hill, a prominent SHIELD agent, in “The Avengers.” Subsequently, she continued to enrich her filmography with various projects. These included the mockumentary “Killing Gunther,” the romantic comedy “Results,” satirical comedies such as “They Came Together” and “Grassroots,” and serious films like “Unexpected” and “Safe Haven.”

After her role as Robin Scherbatsky ended in “How I Met Your Mother,” Cobie Smulders made appearances in shows like “Friends from College” and “Arrested Development.” However, it might seem that she’s been absent from the screen recently. If you’ve been curious about what she’s been up to since giving up hockey sticks and retiring her Nick Fury persona, here’s an update on Cobie Smulders’ current projects.

She spoke out more about her battle with cancer

In 2018, Cobie Smulders revealed her past struggle with ovarian cancer during an interview with Women’s Health. This was her first public disclosure about the issue. Back in 2015, when she was filming “How I Met Your Mother” for its third season, she received the devastating diagnosis at the young age of 25. She explained that there were tumors on both her ovaries and the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes and nearby tissues. Over a period of two years, she went through multiple surgeries to have the tumors removed.

The actress expressed her gratitude for having made it through challenges in her life and how it had led her to become stronger. She shared a public service announcement she directed on Facebook in 2018 with TESARO and Not On My Watch, aiming to increase awareness about ovarian cancer, encourage regular check-ups, and showcase various treatment alternatives for those in remission.

In an interview on the Build series, Smulders shared her experience: “I sensed a vague sense of unease and exhaustion. I visited the doctor, but everything appeared normal. A few months later, I was shocked to discover a large tumor that required surgery.” Throughout the conversation, she emphasized the significance of paying attention to your body and getting any concerning symptoms checked out promptly.

She has appeared in one movie post-MCU

Endgame” and “Spider-Man: No Way Home” before starring in the 2020 romantic drama “Cicada.” This movie focuses on two men dealing with their pasts as they form a connection. The film is inspired by the lives of its co-writers and stars, Matthew Fifer and Sheldon D. Brown. Smulders takes on the role of Sophie, a supporting character.

The film “Cicada,” which was intended to make its debut at the BFI Flare: London LGBTIQ+ Film Festival in 2020, unfortunately had to wait due to the cancellation of the festival caused by the COVID–19 pandemic. Instead, it premiered in August 2020 at the Outfest Film Festival. A year later, in October 2021, “Cicada” finally received a theatrical release. The film generated more revenue in South Korea than in the US, bringing in $13,370 during its run in American cinemas.

Although it had a restricted distribution, “Cicada” gained significant acclaim from critics, boasting a 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. As Variety pointed out, under regular circumstances, this film would have made its way through the LGBTQ film festival circuit extensively, generating buzz and recognition among viewers. However, due to the pandemic, the movie’s release was affected, possibly leaving Smulders fans unaware of this recent addition to her acting portfolio.

Her next big TV show got dealt a bad hand

Cicada wasn’t the only project affecting Cobie Smulders during the pandemic. While many recognize her from “How I Met Your Mother,” she was aiming to start a new television journey as the star and co-executive producer of ABC’s crime drama “Stumptown.” In this series, Smulders portrayed Dex Parios, a debt-ridden private investigator trying to make ends meet.

The show received great feedback and was set for a second season, but then came the pandemic. Only four months after making the decision to renew, ABC announced that they wouldn’t proceed with another season because of production disruptions. Instead of being prepared for an autumn 2020 launch, the second season’s readiness was pushed back until spring. Sadly, ABC couldn’t find another network to take it over.

“Stumptown,” unlike other beloved shows that were canceled following an initial renewal due to the pandemic, left fans devastated. This was a significant project for Smulders as she assumed the role of producer for the first time and earned her first acting award nomination since her days on “How I Met Your Mother.” In the Critics Choice Super Awards, she was recognized in the category of best actress in a superhero series for portraying Dex. However, Aya Cash took home the award for her performance as Stormfront in “The Boys,” who engaged in a battle with Queen Maeve (losing that fight) in the series.

She became a U.S. citizen and more involved in American politics

Canadian-born Cobie Smulders became a U.S. citizen before the 2020 presidential election, allowing her to vote. Residing in California with her American husband Taran Killam and their children, they bought a house in Los Angeles that year. Given her marriage to an American, employment, and residency, it’s understandable she wanted to engage in both local and national politics.

In her Instagram post, Smulders expressed the significance of gaining US citizenship to her. After living and working in the US for 16 years, paying taxes, having children, and establishing a family, she had not been able to vote. However, she is thrilled to exercise this right in the upcoming November election.

As a devoted fan of hers, I’ve noticed that Smulders is consistently using her Instagram platform to advocate for the significance of voting. From sharing selfies sporting her “I Voted” stickers to motivating her fans to register, she never misses an opportunity to make her voice heard in this matter. Moreover, she doesn’t shy away from expressing her political opinions. When Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, she took to social media not once but twice to support the #BansOffOurBodies movement. Through her posts, she provided her followers with resources on how they could take action by reaching out to their representatives and contributing to relevant organizations.

She portrayed a media figure

Despite being canceled unexpectedly, “Stumptown” didn’t hinder Cobie Smulders’ television journey. She went on to become part of the third season’s cast for “American Crime Story.” This installment focused on the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal. In it, Smulders depicted Ann Coulter, a prominent conservative media figure who fiercely criticized the Clinton administration and authored a book about his impeachment.

The critics’ reactions to “Impeachment: American Crime Story” were varied, with a 69% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. When it first came out, people talked extensively about what the show got right, yet it faced criticism as well, particularly regarding Sarah Paulson’s depiction of Linda Tripp. Although Paulson earned an Emmy nomination for her performance, some reviewers disapproved of her wearing a fat suit instead of casting a plus-sized actor for the role.

The Guardian’s critique praised Paulson’s outstanding performance in the series, yet acknowledged noteworthy contributions from other cast members. Annaleigh Ashford, portraying Clinton accuser Paula Jones, left a disarming impression. Surprisingly, Cobie Smulders delivered an impressively accurate depiction of Ann Coulter despite her initial background role.

She’s done voice work for several animated series

Cobie Smulders may not have appeared on TV lately with her face, but you might have heard her voice in recent shows. She’s been providing voices for both adult and children’s series, making frequent appearances in the voice-acting world.

For people who enjoy “The Simpsons,” Smulders’ voice might be familiar from the episode “Bart the Bad Guy” in Season 31. In this installment, she lent her voice to Hydrangea, a genuine superhero who demonstrated to Bart that superheroes truly exist. Additionally, Smulders was among the cast of “Lightning Wolves,” an animated series with seven episodes produced by Comedy Central, which aired on their YouTube and Facebook platforms. She voiced Manitoba in this production. Moreover, Smulders made an appearance in the Season 1 finale of “The Boss Baby: Back in the Crib,” where she provided the voice for Stella Chimeric.

In the MCU, similar to other actors, Smulders has provided voices for her live-action characters in animated projects. She reappeared as Maria Hill in separate episodes for the first and second seasons of “What If…?” which delves into various timelines and alternate realities. Additionally, she voiced Hill in two installments of “Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur.” Smulders made her initial voice acting debut in “The Lego Movie,” a role that may have gone unnoticed by some viewers as she portrayed Wonder Woman, which she reprised in the 2019 follow-up. The actress also contributed her voice to an episode of the mature animated comedy “Animals” from 2016 and lent it to four episodes of “Nature Cat.”

She was part of a coming-of-age drama

I’m excited to share that my next TV role will be in “High School,” based on the memoir of musical duo Tegan and Sara. In this coming-of-age drama set in the ’90s, we follow their lives as teenagers navigating the ups and downs of high school. I’m honored to bring Simone, their mom, to life on screen.

In contrast to Smulders’ portrayal of a matriarch in “High School,” which failed to showcase her Robin Daggers vibe as she wasn’t a teen pop star, the underestimated series gained remarkable recognition from critics. With a perfect 100% approval rating among critics and an impressive 94% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, “High School” was listed among the best TV shows of the year by The New York Times and Rolling Stone, securing a top 10 position. As Alan Sepinwall noted in his Rolling Stone review, Clea DuVall’s skillful direction allowed viewers to understand not just the sisters’ perspectives but also those of their mother (Cobie Smulders) and friends, making “High School” a standout contender in the TV coming-of-age genre.

As a dedicated gamer following the entertainment scene, I’ve come across this intriguing series that didn’t quite grab everyone’s attention at its launch. It turned out to be hidden gem, broadcast exclusively on Amazon’s free streaming platform, Freevee, back in the day. However, things started heating up when their innovative fake reality show called “Jury Duty,” led by Ronald Gladden, gained massive recognition in 2023 – a year after “High School” had premiered.

She voiced a character in a murder mystery audio story

Cobie Smulders joined the voice acting world once more by taking part in a story told through audio recordings, much like Zachary Quinto in “Sorry Charlie Miller” and Keke Palmer in “Hit Job.” In this Audible-exclusive production called “Mistletoe Murders,” Smulders brought her talent to life as a primary character. The series currently offers two seasons for listeners to enjoy.

With Canadian actors Raymond Ablack (“Ginny and Georgia,” “Degrassi: The Next Generation”) and Anna Cathcart (“XO, Kitty”) as co-stars, Smulders portrayed Emily Lane, an individual striving to unravel holiday murders while managing her seasonal business. This intriguing series presented one mystery spanning two episodes, followed by another case for Emily to decipher. Simultaneously, it delved into the budding romance between her and Ablack’s character, Sam.

In a video for Season 2’s making-of, Smulders expressed her belief that “Mistletoe Murders” offers an enjoyable mix of comedy and intrigue. Audiences concurred, leaving favorable remarks on Audible’s website. However, due to being an Audible Original production, many potential listeners might overlook Smulders’ performance if they aren’t subscribed to Audible, despite her efforts to promote it via social media.

She is an activist

In her free time off-set, Cobie Smulders is passionately involved in charitable work. specifically collaborating with Save The Children, a renowned organization dedicated to enhancing children’s lives worldwide. She frequently shares glimpses of her activism on social media, such as visiting Washington D.C. to support legislation for education and volunteering at local food banks. Cobie extends her philanthropic efforts to holidays as well, crafting Valentine’s Day cards for politicians and preparing holiday packages for mothers in her community.

Smulders collaborates with Oceana, an organization dedicated to safeguarding our oceans. She frequently shares content about this cause on social media platforms, featuring videos of whales and the perils of entanglement, as well as a promotional video produced alongside them for reef conservation off the Belize coast. In line with her mission to inform her audience about environmental sustainability, she consistently engages in Earth Day activities and has previously contributed to nature cleanup projects.

In 2023, Smulders expressed solidarity with the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Screen Actors Guild (SAG) during their strikes by sharing images on social media. Among these were snapshots of her participating in the picket lines herself. Additionally, she re-shared a throwback photo from the 2007 WGA strike picket line.

She’s supporting her family and friends on social media

When Cobie Smulders isn’t advocating for her social or political causes or working on projects, she expresses her love and support for her family, friends, and home country. For instance, when her husband Taran Killam performed in “Spamalot” on Broadway, she proudly acknowledged him on Instagram. Additionally, Smulders showcased her uncle’s pottery store in Germany by sharing a photo with him and providing a link to his website for her fans to explore his creations.

I’ve had the privilege of working with some truly talented individuals throughout my career, and it always brings me joy to see them succeed. Recently, I’ve been thrilled to witness the accomplishments of my colleagues, like director Clea Duvall, who I had the pleasure of collaborating with on “The Intervention” in 2016. I was excited to support her latest project, “Happiest Season,” which premiered on Hulu in 2020.

I, being a proud Canadian at heart despite residing in the United States, make sure no one forgets this fact. Through my social media postsings, I share glimpses of my time north of the border. From breathtaking landscapes and vibrant nature to indulging in local eateries and sipping on Tim Horton’s iconic coffee, these moments bring a piece of Canada into my everyday life. In keeping with the spirit, for Halloween 2020, I donned the uniform of the esteemed Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

She played Maria Hill one last time

In the year 2023, Cobie Smulders rejoined the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) with a role in Disney+’s “Secret Invasion” series. This production focused on Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury character as he worked to expose Skrulls disguised as humans, planning to conquer Earth. Maria Hill, portrayed by Smulders, made every effort to support Fury in identifying allies, but she met her end in the premiere episode.

Smulders hadn’t been taken aback by Maria Hill’s outcome. From the initial contact with Marvel co-president Louis D’Esposito, she had foreseen this turn of events. In an interview with Variety, she expressed her delight, stating, “It’s been a fantastic journey.” Moreover, she was grateful that her character’s end remained concealed until the debut. “I’m elated that nothing was leaked,” she exclaimed. “I find it hard to believe it myself.” Even discussing it felt like a violation of some sort.

Although viewers witnessed Hill’s demise on-screen, it doesn’t automatically imply that she has permanently departed. As Smulders explained to Variety, “Marvel’s world is immense and intricate, so who knows what may happen.” Moreover, according to her interview with Entertainment Weekly, Smulders recorded additional episodes of “Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur,” implying that Maria Hill will persist in the animated series for the time being. She expressed her readiness to resume her role, stating, “I’m always open to receiving that phone call.”

2024-07-23 16:30