“Wait, I’m Slapping a Teenager Who’s Getting An Abortion?”: How the Cast of ‘Adults’ Pulled Off Their Boundary-Pushing Comedy

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The latest series from FX, titled “Adults“, is a comedy centered around a bunch of 20-somethings living together in Queens. It continues the style of shows like “Friends” for storytelling purposes. Similarly to “Friends“, the cast consists of up-and-coming actors, each with a comedic background (standup, improv, sketch, and TikTok). Remarkably, these actors were carefully selected and asked to portray the camaraderie of longtime friends. Interestingly, in this case, they were not previously acquainted.

The show’s creators, Ben Kronengold and Rebecca Shaw, are young adults themselves, having previously worked as writers for the Tonight Show. They collaborated with executive producer Nick Kroll to bring a story (inspired by their own circle of friends) to life on screen. The cast, which includes Lucy Freyer, Jack Innanen, Owen Thiele, Amita Rao, and Malik Elassal, praise the showrunners for creating an atmosphere that helped them bond quickly and feel comfortable enough to tackle unconventional comedic territory (the opening scene of the sitcom features public masturbation in a subway car). The group spoke with THR before the release of Adults to talk about their unique ways of getting acquainted, the prank that Nick Kroll played on them when they were hired, and whether traditional television still holds the top spot for Gen Z creators.

Let’s start with something light: Where was everyone when they found out they got this job?

In my apartment, I was catching up with friends over drinks during happy hour when I received a message from one of the producers about Nick Kroll wanting to chat on Zoom. After enjoying two cocktails, I pondered if it was appropriate to proceed at that moment.>

ELASSAL Lucy, did they do the fake-out with you? We gotta expose the fake-out.

FREYER Indeed, they feigned a different audition for all of us, including myself. Nick suggested an improvisation exercise, and within this scenario, he informed us that we had secured the role. To avoid any confusion, I decided to continue with the improv instead of assuming it was the real job offer.

As a fan, I found the improv scenario a bit unclear at times, causing me to question if it was intentional or not. He said, “You’re Issa and you’re in a job interview.” However, I was puzzled, wondering about my character’s intentions. Am I supposed to excel, or is there some other objective?

INNANEN Like OK, what type of boss do I have? Issa did take notes.

Listening to you jotting down notes as Nick Kroll offers you a job is the most hilarious scene I’ve come across.

Did anyone not fall for the fake-out?

I’d learned from my boss that I’d landed the role, so when they later asked me to improvise with Nick, I responded casually, though I might have come off as arrogant, (laughs). In reality, I was pretending to be humble about it. They confirmed I got the job and I reacted with feigned surprise.

Did you have a chance to interact with Nick at any point during the audition process, or were your initial encounters with him part of the additional pressure due to them being the first times you two met?

THIELE To be honest, I can’t recall exactly. My nerves were quite frayed during all my Zoom job interviews. In one of them, I felt the need to take a sip of water and accidentally dropped the glass. I quickly muted myself since I didn’t want them to hear it shatter, but luckily, it didn’t – instead, it rolled.

INNANEN Both of my callbacks were in hotel rooms with zero windows.

THIELE My love, where were you when a hotel does not have windows? I’m nervous.

Previously, I found myself performing in several dismal venues. One instance was in Pittsburgh. The atmosphere there seemed to forbid any visual contact with the cityscape. Although there was supposedly a window, it only offered a view of additional indoor space instead.

Hey Owen, could you share the tale of the moment you discovered you’d landed the job? I believe it’s an interesting story that I haven’t had the pleasure of hearing yet.

ONCE IN A WHILE, I ENJOYED SITTING ON MY PORCH Basking in the Sun. Suddenly, I received a text informing me that Nick Kroll wanted to meet. In an instant, I contacted my agents, excitedly, only to discover later that everything was perfectly fine.

After everybody had gathered and convened for the initial meeting, did the anxious feelings you mentioned during the audition phase finally subside?

Shout-out to the creators! Filming the pilot was an orgy of structured enjoyment. Additionally, we had a peculiar setup where Malik’s room served as Sami’s home, leading us to spend every evening there, confiding in each other our deepest, hidden secrets, and sipping on countless margaritas.

In the high-stress scenario of filming an unknown pilot, there was an immediate sense of ease among us all, creating a warm and reassuring atmosphere, much like slipping into a cozy blanket.

ELASSAL We double-dutched ourselves into each other’s lives. We just told each other everything.

In a circle within Malik’s hotel room, Amita suggested we share secrets we’ve never told before, believing it would create an unbreakable bond among us. I admit, I was initially hesitant given our new acquaintance, but the experience has left me in awe. Now, we all share deep-rooted secrets, and it’s truly magical. Moreover, Ben and Rebecca, despite being our contemporaries, have proven to be extraordinary hosts. Their apartment is always prepared with a delightful cheese platter and drinks at the ready, making every visit feel seamless. They took on the role of camp counselors for us, organizing shopping outings and bar crawls to foster our connection. Initially, it seemed forced, but it turned out to be an effective method that led to relationships we now cherish deeply. It’s a bittersweet sensation – the realization that these friendships have become irreplaceable in our lives. (laughs)

Does any actor feel apprehensive after reading lines for their character that are particularly bold or unsettling in this series?

FREYER (PARAPHRASED) The show required numerous scenes that felt like we were pushing boundaries, such as the intimate scene in episode four set at the school with the teacher, or my performance at the art gallery. Many of these scenes involved me putting myself in awkward situations, but in an enjoyable and entertaining manner.

As a devoted fan, I must share my excitement about a particular scene in episode seven that was a blast to film alongside Jack. The essence of this scene revolves around Issa hosting a young woman who requires an abortion but faces restrictions in her own state, prompting her to travel to New York. With Issa being swamped, she entrusts this girl to Jack and myself, leading to our growing exasperation with her. Ingeniously, the writers, Ben and Rebecca, crafted this character as incredibly sassy and aggravating, which, despite her difficult situation, added a hilarious dimension to her portrayal. There’s even a scene where I find myself on the verge of slapping her, which initially surprised me given the sensitive nature of the topic. However, watching it back brought me immense joy.

Each time an edge arises, you consistently feel well-supported during the writing process.

Originally, there was a scene that made me hesitate but ended up being removed. I remember feeling surprised when I saw it on my schedule…oh. It was one of those scenes where the boom operator was off to the side, not facing us, with the microphone pointed our way. That day was quite amusing. Perhaps it’ll appear in the bonus features or outtakes.

RAO Since the opening scene of the premier episode involved an explicit masturbation act, my confidence soared with each subsequent scene, believing I could handle it all. However, on the day before filming that scene, I admit I was quite anxious about meeting the high standards set by the script.

ELASSAL That was also our first day, by the way.

INNANEN I don’t think I realized what a big swing that was for you right out of the gate.

THIELE FX gave us two weeks to bond, but all we really needed was the public masturbation scene.

What was everyone’s hangout show of choice when they were growing up? What was formative for you?

ELASSAL Friends, and my dad used to show me old All in the Family episodes. Also, Full House.

Even though they might be considered FRIENDS and WORKAHOLICS, it’s uncertain if they socialize much, more like three overworked individuals with little time for leisure.

For me, it’s “Sex and the City” that holds a special place. I recall my mother watching it on HBO, and spending evenings with her and her companions. It significantly impacted my life as I found myself yearning to embody each character, yet also feeling disconnected from them all.

FREYER Who are you, Owen, of the four?

THIELE No!

FREYER You’re a Samantha-Carrie hybrid.

THIELE I love Carrie, actually. I might be a Carrie sun, oh God. But a Samantha rising.

FREYER You’re actually a little bit of Miranda, too.

ELASSAL If we’re doing Friends comparisons, is Anton Ross? Or is Samir Ross?

ANTON Anton isn’t the kind of person you’d find on a show like “Friends”. Instead, he spends his days working behind the counter at a coffee shop.

You’ve landed your first significant role in a TV series, but prior to this, you were engaged in various creative pursuits such as stand-up comedy, podcast hosting, and even TikTok stardom. Given that you’ve now made it to television, does starring in a linear TV show still represent the pinnacle of your aspirations? Or were your previous creative ventures mere stepping stones towards this television opportunity?

As a devoted admirer of the entertainment world, I once believed that gracing the small screen through TV appearances had become an elusive opportunity, a golden ticket, seemingly lost in time. The charm and appeal of sitcoms seemed to have faded away, leaving only echoes of laughter and applause behind.

I vividly recall the moment when my first agent welcomed me into the world of Chicago-based talent. As a sketch and improv comedian, I found joy and fulfillment in collaborative work. When they asked about my aspirations, I shared my dream of being part of a multi-character comedy ensemble. It felt almost absurd to voice such ambition, as if it were the stuff of fairy tales rather than reality.

THIELE It’s been a dream of mine, along with many others, to be part of a show. But what I yearn for most – let me get emotional here – is the chance to collaborate with people who hold significant meaning in my life and whom I could build a lifelong friendship with. I was fortunate enough to star in a film titled “Theater Camp,” which featured my friends from summer camp, and during its production, we kept remarking that this was a unique opportunity that would never come again – the chance to be creative with your friends and create something enjoyable. Although FX is no longer involved, working on this project still felt reminiscent of that experience.

MY PARAPHRASING: I’m deeply fond of classic movies and TV shows, and my dream has always been to be an actor. Despite our diverse pasts, we all share the common ground as performers in the world of acting.

INNANEN Personally, what’s great about it is that these various avenues aren’t exclusive of one another. I get why some might consider digital content as a precursor, but I believe you can excel in both. A question I’ve been fielding recently is whether, being on this show now, I’ve stopped making TikTok videos. Not at all. I initially started creating them because I enjoy it, so I plan to carry on while also pouring a lot of effort into it. I believe the entertainment industry has become entirely democratic today, meaning you don’t have to be just a TikTok creator or a podcaster. Instead, you can be anything and everything.

RAO I believe these other platforms are particularly beneficial for developing your unique style apart from larger machines. It made me wonder, Jack, whether I should return to live drawing and improv performances, like those I showcased on a TV program. However, engaging in that activity honed my style and skills, leading me to a point where I could make an impact in the industry.

I share your sentiments regarding podcasting. By conversing with veterans in the field, I gain unique insights into their experiences. Additionally, having an hour to express myself through a microphone feels liberating. These experiences often find their way into my current work. If by chance, podcasting became my sole focus for the future, I would consider myself incredibly fortunate.

Everyone here seems so multitalented. Frequently, people ask me if I prefer stand-up comedy or acting more. Yet, neither feels like a conventional job for me. Instead, it appears as though my real occupation is to express creativity in various forms, and this manifests itself in multiple ways.

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2025-05-31 01:25