Malik Elassal, a breakout star from the FX sitcom Adults, recently offered an inside look into the demanding production of the show’s second season, detailing a particularly challenging scene that required 40 takes and the unexpected romantic twist that concluded the finale. The actor’s reflections come as Adults continues to garner significant attention across social media platforms, driven by its return last week and a blend of creative marketing and highly shareable comedic moments.
The second season of Adults has been widely praised for maintaining, and arguably surpassing, the humor of its debut run. Elassal, 30, conveyed his enthusiasm for the project during a recent Zoom interview with The Hollywood Reporter, conducted late on a Friday after a brief, much-needed nap amidst a busy press schedule. He emphasized a collective sense of purpose among the cast and crew, stating, “It just feels like we’re doing a good thing.”
Navigating Character Nuances in ‘Adults’ Season Two
Throughout much of the season, Elassal’s character, Samir, is depicted as a steadfast friend to his core group—Billie (Lucy Freyer), Anton (Owen Thiele), Issa (Amita Rao), and Paul Baker (Jack Innanen)—and a committed boyfriend to Carly (Rachel Marsh). However, this dutiful persona is tested, most notably in the sixth episode, “Pop Girlie.” In this installment, Carly, influenced by questionable advice from Anton, makes the pivotal decision to abandon her dental school aspirations to pursue her dream of becoming a K-pop star.
Elassal described portraying Samir in this episode as “a tough one to play.” He noted the inherent unlikability of a character who fails to support his girlfriend’s passion and attempts to manipulate her into reconsidering her new endeavor, even if he believes his judgment is correct. Despite Samir’s reservations, the K-pop anthem “Hiccups (Body Go Crazy)” has become a viral sensation online, suggesting that Samir’s skepticism may have been misplaced.
The internal conflict within Samir, however, served as rich comedic material for the sitcom. Elassal reflected on his character’s self-perception, saying, “It was just a very conflicting thing, which is the best thing for a sitcom. I think somehow, just because he thinks he’s a good person, that he thinks he can do no wrong. Even if the thing is messy, you see that he feels that way about himself a little bit.” He admitted to this realization being a spontaneous insight during the interview.
The Dedication Behind the Scenes
The commitment of the Adults cast and crew to perfecting each scene is evident, even if the final on-screen result plays for mere seconds. Elassal highlighted the almost surreal experience of watching these meticulously crafted moments. “It is really odd, but we just all really care about making this thing so much,” he stated, underscoring the team’s shared dedication.
Despite the intensity, the set of Adults is far from humorless. Elassal affirmed that there has never been a “phone it in” day, but there are frequent challenges in maintaining composure. The recently released blooper reel for season two offers a testament to the abundant laughter during filming. Elassal pinpointed Julian Manjerico’s portrayal of Zac Carlos as a particularly memorable moment of on-set hilarity.
He vividly recalled the difficulty everyone faced in suppressing laughter during Manjerico’s dance sequence. “I cannot convey to you how hard every single person was laughing on that day and how hard it was to do that, to watch Julian Manjerico dance like that,” Elassal recounted. He specifically remembered co-star Jack Innanen’s struggle, noting, “I was specifically watching Jack try so hard not to laugh, that literally tears were stress falling from his eyes from trying not to ruin the take.”
The Grueling Finale Shoot: A "40 Takes" Basketball Scene
Season two also introduced Paul Baker’s circle of “bro” friends, a group of well-meaning but stereotypical "dude bros." This ensemble was present for one of Elassal’s most demanding days on set, which culminated in the show’s dramatic and densely packed finale. In this episode, Samir and Carly end their relationship just before Carly’s move to Seattle.
The breakup unfolds during Samir’s attempt at a grand romantic gesture, which unexpectedly involved the "bros," a cameo by Julia Fox, and a basketball. Elassal was tasked with sinking a basketball shot, a feat he managed effortlessly in rehearsal. However, when it came time for the actual takes, the pressure mounted significantly.
“All these bros have to watch him hit a basketball shot. I hit it once in rehearsal and thought, no worries,” Elassal explained. “When it came time, I was just f***ed. I had to do it 40 times and keep a tear in my eye. I didn’t have any thoughts in my head.” The actor expressed concern about wasting Fox’s time during the prolonged shoot, describing the experience as disorienting. “It was like being on mushrooms. There was no time or space. There’s a hundred crew members looking at me. There’s just money flying around my head.”
The Unexpected Finale Hookup and Its Aftermath
Following the emotional breakup, the finale delivered another major plot development for Samir: a surprise hookup with Billie. Elassal admitted this was his first time discussing the twist with anyone outside the production, and he expressed mixed feelings about its implications.
“I’m worried for Billie and Samir,” he confessed, drawing parallels to real-life social dynamics. “I’ve had that happen in a friend group before, where two people hooked up. They either got to get married or this is bad.” While he hopes for a positive outcome, Elassal, speaking as the actor inhabiting Samir, voiced a humorous apprehension that his character might "f*** this up."
The reveal of the hookup in the final script came as a genuine surprise to Elassal, despite what he described as subtle "breadcrumbs" sprinkled throughout the season. The creative team deliberately withheld this information from the actors to ensure they didn’t inadvertently play towards the eventual romantic development in earlier scenes.
Elassal also touched on the phenomenon of fan speculation, particularly on platforms like TikTok. He noted that fans often perceive more romantic tension between characters than what is actually being portrayed, creating elaborate edits based on "long looks" he doesn’t even recall making. “The fans already think we’re doing that all the time, and we’re really not. We’re just playing the scenes out,” he clarified, joking, “Where did you even get that footage? I didn’t even do that.”
Balancing Publicity and Personal Structure
Beyond the demands of filming, Elassal is currently navigating an extensive promotional schedule for Adults season two. Amidst the flurry of interviews and appearances, he has been attempting to find moments of rest, though not always successfully. He humorously recounted being late for his interview with The Hollywood Reporter due to an ill-fated attempt at being a “nap guy.”
Reflecting on his need for routine amidst the chaos, Elassal offered a candid, self-deprecating remark. “Can you include this?” he asked. “He took his retainer out and locked in for the interview. This guy needs to be working at Walmart again. I’m too off leash.” His comment underscores the stark contrast between the structured environment of a retail job and the less predictable, high-pressure world of a rising television star.
All episodes of Adults season two are now available for streaming on Hulu, with weekly airings on FXX, allowing audiences to experience the comedic highs, dramatic turns, and unexpected finale hookup that Elassal and his co-stars meticulously brought to life. The show continues to resonate with viewers, solidifying its place in contemporary pop culture through its relatable narratives and the dedicated performances of its cast.
