Shaunette Renee Wilson of Indiana Jones praises Phoebe Waller-Bridge

It’s time for one last adventure with Indiana Jones, and a few new faces join our favorite archaeologist, including Shaunette Renee Wilson‘s Agent Mason.

Wilson, 33, told exclusively Us weekly that she was “absolutely” a fan of Indy (Harrison Ford) long before she got her starring role in it Indiana Jones and the Dial of Fatewhich will be shown in cinemas on Friday 30 June. “I think my first involvement with it was when I was watching as a kid [with] my father and my brother. We were [an] immigrant family, and that was a good introduction to American cinema and a little bit of American culture,” she shared. “And it was really fantastic to see this kind of anti-hero who, you know, prowl around and get hurt — it’s not that perfect or pristine — was really, really unique and interesting.”

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Fate begins in 1969 during the moon landing. Indy teaches in New York City, and he’s settled into his life as a lonely archeology professor on the brink of retirement. When his goddaughter Helena Shaw (Phoebe Waller Bridge) comes to him with some questions about the legendary Archimedes dial, which can locate cracks in time, it becomes clear that she’s not a little girl, but a con artist – and she’s not the only one who wants the dial.

Meanwhile, Mason is one of the US government agents working with Dr. Schmidt, aka Jürgen Voller (Mad Mikkelson), a Nazi scientist who is also after the dial. “She’s working with Dr. Schmidt, one of the scientists who helped Americans get to the moon,” Wilson explained. “So in a little bit of quid pro quo, we’re after this, he’s asked for this dial. We have no idea of ​​its power or why he wants it, but we’re going to do our best to get it for him. … and from there it just kind of spirals out of control.”

Mason gets a lot more than she bargained for when she sees Dr. Schmidt follows with no knowledge of his loyalty to the Nazis.

Behind the scenes, Wilson got more than she bargained for in the best way while filming the movie – including forging a friendship with Waller-Bridge. “With someone of her caliber, [she provided] even a little mentorship with me, and yes, [it was] just really, really special,” Wilson gushed. “I don’t think this experience would have been as great without her.”

Scroll down to read more from Wilson:

Us weekly: Can you tell me a bit about your character and how she encounters Indiana Jones?

Shaunette Renee Wilson: My character is Agent Mason. She is a representative of the US government – be it the CIA [or] FBI is a bit ambiguous. She works with Dr. Schmidt, one of the scientists who helped Americans get to the moon. So in a little bit of quid pro quo, we’re next, he’s requested this watch face. We have no idea of ​​its power or why he wants it, but we’re going to do our best to get it for him. And unfortunately the person we’re following who has the dial is Ms. Shaw. And [she] leads us to Indiana Jones. And I meet him as Dr. Jones. He’s a professor at Hunter College, and things get a little out of hand from there.

Us: We need to talk about fashion. Did you like going into that period look? Were you even able to work together to create that look or anything?

Wilson: Oh, I sure did. My mood board was just plastered with Pam Grier and Foxy Brown and Cleopatra [Jones]. This was the blaxploitation era of the 1960s. [The look is a] nice tribute to all that. We initially started with a slightly smaller fro. I mean, the attention to detail of this character’s appearance was impeccable. All the producers were in the room and it was just really committed to making sure this was well represented. Yeah, the fro started out pretty tight and kind of tapered off and then we kept growing and we kept growing and if we want to make a statement, just, you know, go big or go home and that’s what we did.

Us: Did you and Phoebe Waller-Bridge have a good time on this set?

Wilson: Oh yeah. I mean, for that fact alone, we were the only two women shooting at the time. We just fit together so nicely and kind of held each other, looking at each other, knowing that it’s just the two of us – but also just as artists, as people of the trade who love what we do. And of course I was such a fan of hers, Fleabag. I was so excited to see her humanity and generosity. She is such a beautiful soul. I think we are really very connected, going on nice trips together in Edinburgh, doing little tours together, hanging out in Glasgow. We are the Glasgow girls till we die! She was just very, very, very special. With someone of her caliber, [she provided] even a bit of a mentorship with me and yeah, [it was] just really, really special. I don’t think this experience would have been as great as it was without her.

Us: Has she given you any advice that stands out to you?

Wilson: Yes. She didn’t need it and she’s so busy – she didn’t have time for it – but she actually read a pilot I wrote. [Waller-Bridge] gave incredible notes and talked about the core of the play and characters, and [she] was also very complimentary and just went through a bit of her process. She told me to write what scares you. Write down what you are afraid of and also write down what you know, what feels closest to you. Because that’s what the real craft is, [it] is taking something personal and making it fictional and making it into something that is recognizable to everyone. Yes, and just literally the day-to-day business [routine], to keep levity, to keep the humor, but also just sincerity and deep emotionality. Yeah, I’m really fangirling in a lot of ways, but she’s really honestly just a really genuine person.

Us: What was your favorite memory of filming this movie?

Wilson: I think it was in Glasgow. We’ve cordoned off long city blocks [to] reimagining, reinventing a 1969 New York. I’m from New York, so it was really cool to go back in time and see familiar things about New York today. Just the energy of the crowd and the people, there was a huge parade, a huge action scene. [That] was my first day on set. It was really magical and I just thought, ‘Oh yeah, I’m here. I’m part of this story,’ and I’m in it. And within the plot, I’m at a point where things are really alive. It’s a nice introduction to the era we’re moving into in the movie.

Us: How was the collaboration with Harrison Ford?

Wilson: The phrase I just remembered him using, when I first heard it, I thought, “This is great.” He said, “Let’s shoot this piece of shit.” [laughs] Just so, so fantastic and just screaming, ‘Actors ready!’ It was really awesome. He is a lover of what we do. He is first and foremost an actor. Sure, the scope of his career is so vast and he has a wealth of experience, but he’s so grounded and so present and was energetic with me whether or not the camera was on him. He’s also just so funny. His inner child is always at play. He has a deadpan, dry wit, but he’s still a bit of a kid at heart, and I think that’s helped his longevity.

Us: What feeling do you hope fans walk away with after finishing this movie?

Wilson: I want them to feel inspired, but also have closure on what has been an impeccably insane ride of a franchise and the character, to be able to say goodbye and feel acceptance and peace with that. But also just excited to know that there is still adventure to be had; there is still discovery to be made. This is the end of this particular franchise. We say goodbye to this character, but there is much more to discover for ourselves.

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This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.