Christian Slater had a question for "Mr. Robot" creator and showrunner Sam Esmail on the first day of production for season two last month. The only problem was that Slater, who plays the titular Mr. Robot, couldn't find him the mastermind behind USA Network's new mind-bening drama-thriller.
"I wasn't sure where we were in the story," Slater said in a recent interview.
After some poking around, Slater found Esmail behind one of the on-set monitors going over, what else, story details for the first episode.
"It was so perfect that Sam was there to be the oracle, to guide us along and keep us on track," the actor said.
That trend will continue as Esmail is set to write and direct all 10 episodes of the show's second season. It's an ambitious undertaking, to say the least, but one that Esmail isn't backing away from.
"I am so very specific in how I want to shoot the show and the visual grammar of how I want to tell the story," Esmail explained. "It's nothing against our directors in the first season, because they were all great to work with. For me, it feels like it would be easier to manage day to day. I'm on the set every day anyway, and I just think it would make the whole show be more efficient."
Efficiency is king for "Mr. Robot." As opposed to having drawn out week-to-week table reads, like most television shows do, the stars of "Mr. Robot" sat down for a mammoth six-episode marathon read in one sitting. It lasted more than six hours and was followed up later in production by another four script table read. That kind of unique approach is not lost on the 46-year-old veteran Slater.
"I've been blown away by the writers' and Sam Esmail's ability to prepare," Slater said.
Slater's praise likely has a lot to do with Esmail's hands-on approach. Before cameras started rolling, the showrunnerl called each of the actors to discuss their character's arc for the second season.
"He's been great about getting us all on the same page," Slater said. "It's a very mysterious show. I think it would be that much more difficult if the actors were in the dark as well."
If these comments are anything to go by, season two of "Mr. Robot" is shaping up to be just as enthralling as the first.
Follow Brandon Katz at @Great_Katzby
