The Defenders EP Discusses Being a Woman Director in the Superhero Genre

Director S.J. Clarkson took on the envious task of helming the first two episodes of Netflix and Marvel‘s epic team-up series The Defenders. And despite being one of the few women directing in the male-dominated superhero genre, she doesn’t pay much attention to that fact.

Clarkson spoke to the Wrap about her work on The Defenders and Jessica Jones, both of which she produces and directs, and why being a woman directing superhero projects isn’t a big deal in her eyes.

“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,” Clarkson said.

“Directing is an incredibly challenging job, whether you’re male or female,” she added. “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.’”

She originally became involved with Marvel’s superhero output with the first season of Jessica Jones.

“This is about a private investigator,” Clarkson said about being drawn to the series, “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 added that the crossover series allows her to expand on that concept with more characters that bring something different to the table.

“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.”

We’ll get to see Clarkson’s latest contributions to Marvel when The Defenders hits Netflix on August 18.

Marvel’s The Defenders follows Daredevil (Charlie Cox), Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter), Luke Cage (Mike Colter) and Iron Fist (Finn Jones). A quartet of singular heroes with one common goal – to save New York City. This is the story of four solitary figures, burdened with their own personal challenges, who realize they just might be stronger when teamed together.