'Hawkeye' directors Bert & Bertie praise Marvel for finding Alaqua Cox

Watch: Hawkeye directors Bert & Bertie talk Echo

While Rhys Thomas is calling the shots on episodes one, two, and six of Hawkeye, directing duo Bert & Bertie (real names Amber Templemore-Finlayson and Katie Ellwood) are behind the camera for episodes three, four, and five.

Those crucial middle chapters saw the MCU’s latest Disney+ series go from good to great, with impressive action sequences and deep explorations of characters.

One of the more interesting members of Hawkeye’s ensemble is Maya Lopez, played by Alaqua Cox. The start of episode 3 was dedicated to her backstory, and it’s an effective introduction to a character who will be getting her own solo show — Echo — next year.

Read more: 'Hawkeye' episode 5 finally reveals its big bad guy

“It was so amazing to get the gift of Maya Lopez’ backstory and start with her as a child and see all of that innocence and naivety and wide eyed passion and hope for her future”, says Bertie.

Maya is also a major win for the MCU in terms of representation. The character is deaf in the comics, and Marvel’s search for an actor who could authentically bring her to life led them to Alaqua Cox, a newcomer who is deaf and Native American.

“Marvel did what they said they would do, and you’ve really got to respect them for doing that”, says Bert. “Alaqua is exceptional.”

Of course, a large portion of Hawkeye concerns the mentor/mentee relationship between Jeremy Renner’s Clint Barton and Hailee Steinfeld’s Kate Bishop, and the duo’s bond has gradually deepened as the series has progressed. The most emotional scene in that regard took place in episode 4, when Clint confesses to Kate that he was Ronin.

“We all sat down and we workshopped that scene”, Bertie recalls. “We all had our pens out and we were making it better, even an hour before we were shooting it.

“It deepened their relationship and their character, so it was a very collaborative section of the show.”

Hawkeye episodes 1-5 are streaming on Disney+ now, with new episodes launching every Wednesday.

Watch a Hawkeye preview below