Adam Scott’s career — long defined by sharp supporting turns in comedies and ensemble dramas — has reached a new peak with his starring role on Apple TV+’s Severance. On The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast, Scott reflected on the arc that took him from memorable bits in Judd Apatow films and sitcoms to the intense, scene-stealing lead he’s become in the psychological sci-fi series.
Severance, which premiered in 2022, centers on a controversial medical procedure that severs employees’ work memories from their personal lives, creating separate “Innie” and “Outie” versions of the same person. Scott plays Mark, a history professor turned office worker whose grief drives him to undergo the procedure. The role has allowed Scott to showcase a rare range — toggling between the constrained, methodical “Innie” and the emotionally freighted “Outie.”
The show earned major awards attention after its first season, collecting 14 Emmy nominations in 2022, including one for Scott as lead actor and a best drama series nod that also recognized Scott as a producer. Its second season amplified that recognition: critics hailed it — the New York Times called it “the most ambitious, batty and all-out pleasurable show on TV” — and the season recently led this year’s Emmy field with 27 nominations. That surge has made Severance, and Scott personally, a frontrunner for major wins; an Emmy victory this year would be Scott’s first.
During the conversation at the Radford Studio Center offices of Gettin’ Rad Productions (the company Scott runs with his wife, Naomi), Scott traced his development from a struggling actor to a reliable scene-stealer on projects such as Party Down, Parks and Recreation and Big Little Lies. He also spoke about creative collaborations that helped shape his career — notably his relationship with Ben Stiller, who cast Scott as a nemesis in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013) and later served as executive producer and primary director on Severance.
Additional comments to add value
– Scott’s performance in Severance benefits from an unusually collaborative creative environment: the show’s directors and writers lean into a precise visual and tonal language that foregrounds subtle, behavior-based acting — a strength of Scott’s.
– His dual portrayal of Mark demonstrates how physicality, timing and micro-expression can define two distinct identities without relying on costume or makeup changes. That kind of acting is often what awards voters respond to.
– The show’s increasing Emmy recognition signals that prestige television continues to reward original, high-concept storytelling when it’s executed with clarity and strong performances.
Logical explanation and context
– Scott’s trajectory makes sense: years of honing supporting comic and dramatic instincts prepared him for a lead role that requires both restraint and volatility. Severance’s premise gives him a unique acting challenge — playing one character split into two — which naturally draws critical attention.
– The leap from 14 to 27 nominations between seasons reflects not only growing industry appreciation for the series’ ambitions but also the way a confident second season can broaden a show’s scope and visibility.
Summary
Adam Scott, long a standout in supporting roles, has emerged as a leading awards contender thanks to his central performance on Severance. The series’ inventive premise and Scott’s nuanced work as both the “Innie” and “Outie” Mark helped the show go from 14 Emmy nominations in 2022 to a leading 27 nominations this year, making Scott and the series favorites in major categories.
Hopeful, positive spin
If Scott secures an Emmy this year, it would be the culmination of steady, diverse work across film and television rather than overnight success — a reminder that sustained craft and the right role can elevate a career late into its middle years. Regardless of awards, Severance has expanded Scott’s creative profile and will likely open doors to more challenging leading roles and producing opportunities.