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Rami Malek Reflects on the Intense Challenges of Bringing Mr. Robot to Life
12 Oct
Summary
- Rami Malek struggled with the "mental gymnastics" of playing the troubled Elliot Alderson
- The show's demanding schedule and creator Sam Esmail "put him through absolute hell"
- Malek credits Mr. Robot with helping him land his Oscar-winning role as Freddie Mercury
Rami Malek, the acclaimed actor known for his role in the hit TV series Mr. Robot, recently reflected on the intense challenges he faced while bringing the show's troubled protagonist, Elliot Alderson, to life. In a panel discussion at New York Comic Con on October 9, 2025, Malek opened up about the "immense grief" and "profound alienation" he had to channel to portray Elliot's complex struggles with addiction and mental health issues.
Malek, who is now 44 years old, admitted that the demanding schedule and the vision of the show's creator, Sam Esmail, "put him through absolute hell" during the production. He described the experience as a constant "mental gymnastics" that left him physically and emotionally drained by the end of each week. However, Malek said he embraced the challenge and looks back on his time on the show with great pride, as it had a "profound" effect on his life and career.
The Oscar-winning actor revealed that his work on Mr. Robot, which aired from 2015 to 2019, was instrumental in landing him the role of Freddie Mercury in the 2018 biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor. Malek explained that the show's producers had seen his performance in Mr. Robot and recognized his ability to portray both the extroverted and introverted aspects of a complex character, which proved crucial for his portrayal of the legendary Queen frontman.
