Director Stephen Surjik Opens Up About His Career and New Series ‘The Abandons’

With a career spanning over three decades in the television industry, Stephen Surjik has established himself as a versatile and influential director. He has worked on a wide variety of popular shows ranging from ‘The X-Files’ and ‘Person of Interest’ to major streaming hits like ‘The Witcher’ and ‘The Umbrella Academy’. Surjik recently sat down to discuss his extensive filmography and how his approach to filmmaking has shifted over the years. He noted that while he used to be more controlling and fervent in his younger days, he has since evolved into what he calls an “actor’s director.” This maturity allows him to be more empathetic and open to the unique visions that performers bring to their roles.

One of the most significant topics of discussion was his work on the upcoming Netflix series ‘The Abandons’. This project serves as a reunion for Surjik and actress Gillian Anderson, whom he last directed nearly thirty years ago. The director highlighted the differences in working styles between the show’s leads, Anderson and Lena Headey. He explained that Anderson prefers to discuss scenes in incredible detail before shooting, ensuring every nuance is understood. In contrast, Headey often prefers a more spontaneous approach, suggesting they simply try a take to see where it lands emotionally. This western drama is set in the 1850s and promises to be a gritty, violent exploration of a land feud in the Washington Territory.

Surjik also opened up about the challenges of balancing the dual roles of director and executive producer. He explained that while taking on the executive producer title grants a director more influence over the final product, it also dilutes their control across a much larger group of people. Instead of focusing solely on the actors and the camera, an executive producer must manage thousands of crew members, including departments like construction and wardrobe. He admitted that he finds this level of responsibility exhausting, although he respects those who manage it well. Despite the fatigue, he acknowledged that having that extra layer of authority is often necessary to protect the creative vision of a project.

Reflecting on his past work, Surjik spoke fondly of his time directing shows for Marvel, such as ‘Daredevil’ and ‘Jessica Jones’. He described that era as a special time in his career, referring to it as “peak television” due to the high quality of writing and character development within that universe. He also touched upon his experiences with ‘The Witcher’ and ‘Reacher’, noting how some shows take time to find their audience while others catch fire immediately. His journey through different genres and eras of television highlights his adaptability and enduring relevance in a fast-changing industry.

We would love to hear which of Stephen Surjik’s projects has been your absolute favorite, so please tell us your opinion in the comments.