Adam Scott reflects on career and preparation for 'Severance' role as Apple TV+ drama earns Emmy success

Adam Scott discussed his career and the challenges of leading 'Severance', saying he had to give “all of myself.”

Adam Scott has reflected on his career and his leading role in Severance, the Apple TV+ series that has earned widespread acclaim.

Speaking to CBS News, Scott said taking on the part of Mark in the drama required a complete commitment. “I knew that I would have to give all of myself to it in order to pull it off,” he explained.

For Scott, who built his career on roles in films such as The Aviator and comedies including Step Brothers, as well as ensemble television shows like Parks and Recreation and Party Down, Severance marked a shift to being the face of a major series.

“It was terrifying, like, truly,” he said, describing his initial reaction to being cast. “As an actor, it’s something you wait your entire career for… but when it happened, I was immediately terrified.”

The show follows employees of a mysterious company who undergo a procedure separating their work and personal lives.

Season two has been nominated for 27 Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Drama Series and Lead Actor for Scott.

Executive producer and director Ben Stiller said Scott had the technical ability to portray two versions of the same character within a single performance.

“The key to the effect working really is Adam’s change of expression… very few actors I work with can do as well as him,” Stiller explained.

Scott described how the role brought together decades of experience. “I would have to use absolutely everything I’ve learned over 30 years if I was gonna do it right,” he said.

With season three already in production, the actor acknowledged the long path that led him to the role: “I knew that I was just gonna stick around until something happened, something came together for me.”