Emily Blunt Talks About the On-Screen Punch She Feared She’d Never Recover From in The English

Emily Blunt and Chaske Spencer are facing down the Wild West in Amazon Prime’s new show, The English, in a gritty, witty and shockingly violent way. Blunt and Spencer sat down with SheKnows to break down their unconventional western love story, rave about each other’s performances and talk about the punch. Yes, the punch that will be heard all around the world. Ciarán Hinds delivers said punch to Blunt that shakes everyone to the core, but especially Blunt. Watch the video to find out exactly what Blunt told Hinds before they filmed.

The English tells the story of an aristocratic Englishwoman Lady Cornelia Locke (Blunt) and a Pawnee ex-cavalry scout, Eli Whip (Spencer), whose paths fatefully and dangerously cross – and together they save each other’s lives. One of the most appealing and rare aspects of this show is that it tells a part of history that places a Pawnee character in the lead.

In fact, writer and director Hugo Blick said at the New York City premiere that he intentionally made sure that Spencer’s name was above the title, not below. Representation is the foundation of the show, but in a way that you don’t feel like the show is trying to check off a representation box. It’s just there, because this is a part of history that existed but has rarely been told.

SheKnows asked Spencer and Blunt how it feels to be doing a show like this, when currently, in America, there is a lot of pushback against teaching accurate history and critical race theory is being banned in some parts of the country. Blunt answers simply, “Stories like this, honor history. They illuminate a lot for people… There is a lot of blood on the ground in this country, and I think it’s important for people to see that, and absorb it and honor it.” Blunt goes on to say what she loves about the show is that it’s entertaining, thrilling and a love story, but “history is peppered in. It’s not meant to be confronting, it’s not meant to be an assault on your system historically.” Spencer agrees adding, “Also, the history of the westerns in Hollywood, for being a Native American, being in a part like this, which is usually reserved for (Paul) Newman, (Clint) Eastwood, all the other greats, it’s a big honor and privilege to do something like this.”

Now, about that epic punch. Blunt laughs and says Hinds has “bear hands,” and that before they filmed she warned him to be careful. “I told him, ‘You better miss! You better know how to pull this punch, because if that connects, I’ll never get up again.’” Thankfully, Ciarán “Bear Hands” Hinds did not connect, and Blunt has lived to tell the story of one of the best on-screen punches ever pulled. Kudos to both Hinds and Blunt for carrying off the pilot moment that will make your jaw drop and realize exactly what Blunt feared!

Spencer and Blunt also told each other about their favorite parts about working with one another – specifically a moment or scene that stood out. Blunt jokes, “Imagine if you were like, ‘She’s not good!’” Watch the exclusive video chat to find out why they loved working together. The English premieres on Amazon Prime Video on Friday, November 11.

Before you go, check out the all-time best ‘Outlander’ episodes you need to watch.