Adam Scott’s ‘Severance’ Stress: Fame Anxiety and Ben Stiller’s Wisdom
Adam Scott, the star of the Apple TV+ hit series Severance, recently spilled some tea on just how freaked out he was about being the face of a show that’s now a cultural touchstone. On the Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend podcast, Scott reflected on how, after years in Hollywood, he thought he would be over the moon when billboards featuring his mug started popping up around town. Instead, he was knee-deep in anxiety, worrying about how the audience would perceive the show. “It should have been this big, happy, monumental moment…but it just freaked me out,” he confessed.
Scott’s character, Mark Scout, is the leader of a team at Lumon Industries, where employees undergo a mind-bending severance procedure that separates their work and personal memories. This unique premise has caught the attention of many, earning the series 14 nominations at the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards and catapulting it into the spotlight. Scott, alongside an impressive cast including Patricia Arquette and Christopher Walken, transformed a simple premise into something riveting and deep. However, standing out as the leading man wasn’t as easy for Scott as it looked.
In his candid chat, he opened up about the uncertainty that makes or breaks a project, especially when everyone involved is working in a bubble away from audience interactions. He didn’t know if viewers would be enamored or snarky about the show, which can be nail-biting for any lead. Thankfully, Ben Stiller—series director and executive producer—was there to help Scott navigate his fears. Stiller, who’s battled similar nerves in the past, guided Scott and calmed his nerves, reassuring him that vulnerability can often lead to rewarding experiences.
Now gearing up for its second season, the show continues to draw in star-studded guests like Alia Shawkat and Gwendoline Christie. The waiting game of audience reception is just part of the rollercoaster ride that comes with being in a hit show, but for Scott, the appearance in front of the cameras has become more of a source of pride than anxiety. “When you’re kind of out front, it’s frightening, and then also rewarding when you’re doing something that you feel good about,” he said. And honestly, who wouldn’t want to hear that after such a rocky start to celebrity?
Sources: Celebrity Storm Wire and People Magazine, Vulture, Deadline
