Adam Scott’s Near Miss: How Apple Almost Ruined His Severance Debut

How Ben Stiller and Adam Scott Saved Apple from Themselves

In this episode of The Severance Podcast with Ben Stiller & Adam Scott, the co-hosts revealed the surprising story of how Apple almost blew it with Severance. It turns out that the tech giant didn’t initially want Adam Scott to play the lead role of Mark Scout, in part because they didn’t see him as a "big enough" star.

Unlocking the Creative Process

The world was thrilled when Apple announced the series order for Severance in November 2019. But what we didn’t know at the time was that Apple had changed their minds about Scott’s casting after a year of deliberation. It was a long, grueling process of trying to find the perfect fit for the lead role.

Ben Stiller shared his thoughts on the experience, stating, "There was a long process of talking about other ideas. But, really, I was not going to do the show if [Scott] wasn’t going to do it. I kept saying that to them, and they were like, ‘Okay, maybe you’ll think of this actor. Maybe you’ll think of that actor.’"

What Led to the Final Decision

So, what convinced Apple to change their minds about Scott’s casting? It seems that it was a combination of Stiller’s persistence and Scott’s humility. According to Stiller, "I was like, ‘Just take a chance on Adam. He’s a great actor, and he’s perfect for the role.’"

Scott, for his part, acknowledges that Apple initially wanted a "giant star" to play Mark. "I understood why they were feeling this way," he said. "The first time I read this script, my first instinct was: ‘There’s no way I’m going to end up doing this. This is too good.’"

A Stellar Performance

Thanks to Stiller’s persistence, Scott’s casting, and the show’s unique concept, Severance has received critical acclaim and multiple award nominations, including an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Television Series – Drama. And we have Stiller and his persistence to thank for it!

Here are some fun facts about Severance:

• The show is a workplace thriller that explores the dark side of corporate culture.
• It premiered on Apple TV+ in November 2019.
• The show is based on a novel of the same name by S.J. Mugar.
• The show has been praised for its original concept, gripping storyline, and standout performances.

Stay tuned for more exciting updates on Severance and stay ahead of the curve with the latest news and insights from the world of TV and movies!