Maria Bakalova discusses Mayday at the film’s world premiere, reflecting on the human connection at the heart of the Apple TV action comedy and how the story balances humor with more heartfelt and heartbreaking moments. Bakalova, who plays Anna Ustinov, credits directors John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein with finding the right balance between the film’s comedic beats and its emotional story.
Bakalova also reflects on Mayday’s timely themes of oppression and the difficulty of speaking openly, even with the people closest to you. She describes the story of two people who are supposed to be opposites but discover they can support one another through genuine human connection, emphasizing the importance of rooting for and supporting each other despite the forces that divide people.
Discussing her experience making the film, Bakalova says she joined a production that had already been filming for months and spent only a couple of weeks on set. She describes the opportunity to observe the work process and dedication around her as a “master class” and a highlight of her life. Mayday stars Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh in an action comedy centered on an unlikely American-Russian partnership and premieres globally September 4, 2026, on Apple TV.