AceShowbiz - Amazon MGM Studios has announced the casting of Mark Eydelshteyn in the second season of its Prime Video series "Mr. & Mrs. Smith". The Russian actor, known for his role as Ivan in Sean Baker's "Anora", will play the titular Mr. Smith.

While details of Eydelshteyn's role have not been revealed, some outlets speculate that he will assume the lead previously held by Donald Glover, who starred in season 1 alongside Maya Erksine. However, Amazon MGM representatives have not confirmed this yet.

Glover and Erksine's characters, who portrayed a pair of assassins masquerading as a married couple, were left in a cliffhanger at the end of season 1. The season concluded with a shootout, leaving their fates unknown. Showrunner Francesca Sloane has stated that a resolution to the cliffhanger will be provided in season 2.

Eydelshteyn is the first new cast member to join "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" for its sophomore season. According to Deadline, the series may adopt an anthology format, featuring different characters and storylines each season. However, Sloane has remained coy on this possibility.

Sloane returns as executive producer and showrunner for season 2, with Glover also set to return as an executive producer. The series is produced by New Regency and Amazon MGM Studios.

"Mr. & Mrs. Smith" premiered in February and became a Top 5 new series debut for Prime Video in the United States. The first season received 16 Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series and Lead Actor/Actress In a Drama Series for Glover and Erksine, and won two trophies.

Eydelshteyn's casting in the series marks a significant step in his American acting career. Previously, he gained international recognition for his roles in the Russian coming-of-age film "Strana Sasha" and the 2022 Russian TV series "Monastery".