Anyone who appreciates good television was practically required to watch this summer's breakout series "Mr. Robot" on USA Network. As I wrote mid-season, "This show is far from the cookie-cutter blah you've come to expect. What immediately stands out about 'Mr. Robot' is its distinct tone."
The show is strange in all the best ways: its style is unique, its structure is non-linear and its main character, Elliot Alderson, is completely unreliable. All together, these elements make for a very different, very enjoyable viewing experience. USA Network must agree as they ordered a second season before the first had even aired.
Star Rami Malek, who has been delivering quality performances on the fringes of the mainstream for years, is one of the driving engines of the show. His performance is so unhinged yet simultaneously put together that you can't help but be intrigued. He's well aware of the show's surprise success and proud that it came together in a non-traditional way.
"It just shows you how much undiscovered talent is out there," Malek told media members at The Paley Center in New York City this week. "It speaks to people coming together and taking a chance on something they believe might be special. I just appreciate that people are recognizing it doesn't always have to be the names that make a show what it is. It's about great storytelling and when you find a great storyteller like Sam [Esmail] and he surrounds himself with major collaborators that are at the top of their game, it's great."
Showrunner Sam Esmail barely had any writing credits to his name before hatching the twisty "Mr. Robot." Although some fans may complain that the show is too heavy on mystery and too light on answers, Malek enjoys the unknown aspect of the series.
"It's like life. I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow. I don't know what's going to happen the next day. I'm constantly surprised every moment of my life. I appreciate that that happens on a very intense level for [Elliot]. It's a fun way to show up to work every day and not know what's going to happen."
"Mr. Robot" is expected to return sometime in June 2016.
