Severance: Adam Scott's Best Roles

Severance season 2 has brought the internet and pop culture to a standstill, offering riveting and enthralling television that has captured eyeballs by the millions. The sci-fi dramedy examines a group of people working for Lumon Industries in the Severed program, with their personal lives and memories separated from their working life "Innie."

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Leading the MDR team is Mark Scout, a simple and keen worker while an Innie. However, Mark's "Outie" suffers from the loss of his wife, Gemma, with the mystery of his work at Lumon causing both versions of Mark to question the company's methods. Played by the everpresent Adam Scott, the actor's role as Mark has evolved the potential of what a TV protagonist is capable of being. Despite the notoriety gained from Severance, Scott has several prominent roles to his name, cementing himself as a varied and talented performer in Hollywood.

9 Jeremy Sloane - Leap Year (2010)

Career-Focused Boyfriend Afraid To Propose To His Girlfriend

In the famed rom-com Leap Year, Scott's egotistical and vain portrayal of the protagonist's boyfriend, Jeremy Sloane, adds an interesting dynamic to the Irish-centered flick. This notable rom-com sees Anna Brady traveling to Ireland to propose to her boyfriend on Leap Day. However, Anna meets the sweet and endearing Declan, who captures Anna's heart as her journey in Ireland brings many mishaps and issues.

While caring for Anna, Scott's character refuses to pop the question, only doing so for his own benefit, with Scott excelling in the charming movie as a less-than-charming supporting character.

8 Ted Hendricks - The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty (2013)

Obnoxious Suit In A Big Budget Comedy

Severance is not the first time Ben Stiller and Adam Scott have collaborated, with the former directing Scott for the comedy The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Focusing on Stiller's Walter Mitty, the bland character embarks on a long-winded adventure to obtain the perfect image for the magazine he is employed by, with their transition to digitalization signifying the end of print issues.

Working alongside Walter at Life Magazine is Ted Hendricks, an arrogant manager who happens to be the exact opposite of Walter's personality. Scott's distinctive appearance and constant heckling of Walter makes him one of the movie's antagonists, with his pompous suit persona giving Scott plenty of room to play opposite Stiller, who has continually gotten great performances out of the actor.

7 Tom Engel - Krampus (2015)

Fed Up Father Features Heavily In This Christmas Horror

Scott dips his toes into a foreign genre in Krampus, the horror-themed Christmas film that sees Scott's character, Tom Engel, suffer at the hands of the folklore legend, Krampus. Due to the chaos and upheaval caused by his family, the young Max's Christmas fever wanes, causing Krampus, the monster, to haunt and torment the Engels in a terrifying but comedic story.

As the Max's father, Scott's portrayal of Tom is compelling as he fights for his life and his son's as the unusual circumstances continue to unfold. The family dynamics and tension bring intense entertainment, while Krampus and his minions frighten the family.

6 Ed Mackenzie - Big Little Lies (2017-2019)

Playing The Second Husband Of The Protagonist, Scott Thrives In A Dramatic Role

Among a star-studded cast, Scott excels in a dramatic role, acting as Reese Witherspoon's husband in the drama-riddled HBO show Big Little Lies. In what started as a miniseries, Big Little Lies examines an affluent town and the friendship of a group of women who deal with constant drama and a tragic death that rocks their worlds.

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As the husband of Madeline Mackenzie, Scott's Ed Mackenzie shows lots of emotional vulnerability as his character suffers in his marriage due to cheating scandals and a lack of affection, with Madeline failing to see the value in Ed. Teeing off with high-caliber actors, Scott holds his own, showcasing his dramatic acting talents in this acclaimed show.

5 Caleb Sinclaire - The Vicious Kind (2009)

Dirtbag Who Develops Feelings For His Brother's Girlfriend

Scott continued his ascent into movie stardom with the challenging and dark role of Caleb Sinclaire in the family drama The Vicious Kind. Centered on a family with many skeletons in its closet, the Sinclaire family sees its youngest son, Peter, find a girlfriend, with his toxic brother Caleb soon beginning to develop feelings for her despite initially disapproving of his brother's relationship.

Scott's anti-hero portrayal sees him deliver a performance unlike any other in his catalog, with his character's often vile and misogynistic attitude soon caving as he develops feelings for Emma. Caleb's immoral and destructive personality carries much of the movie, showing Scott's potential as a leading man.

4 Henry Pollard - Party Down (2009-2023)

Hopeful But Floundering Actor Who Works As A Hollywood Caterer

One of Scott's most memorable roles to date is his starring role as Henry Pollard in Party Down, the hit sitcom that even saw Scott return for a recent third season after a decade-long hiatus. Following a group of failed actors who work as caterers in and around Hollywood, Scott's leading role as Henry sees the actor thriving in a sitcom setting, acting as a solid foundation for his dysfunctional friendship group.

Dabbling in infectious comedic chemistry with friends turned coworkers and an intriguing love affair, Party Down was a niche show that jump-started several Hollywood careers and remains one of Scott's most overlooked projects.

3 Derek Huff - Step Brothers (2008)

Arrogant And Successful Man Who Bullies His Brothers

One of the 21st Century's greatest comedies, Step Brothers acted as a launching point for Scott's career, playing a role at the time that was against the norm for the emerging actor. Acting opposite comedy bigwigs in Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly, Scott's despicable and arrogant depiction of snobby brother Derek Huff, who looks down on the newfound step-brothers Brennan and Dale, is one of the most comical and slapstick pieces of comedy in decades.

When his mother gets remarried, Derek sees the opportunity to bully Brennan and his new brother Dale as enticing, with Derek's jock persona setting him up as a convincing antagonist in this celebrated 2000s comedy.

2 Ben Wyatt - Parks And Recreation (2009-2015)

Comical Love Interest In A Revolutionary Mockumentary

In the influential mockumentary that propelled much of its cast to stardom, Scott thrived in a comedic role as Ben Wyatt, the love interest to Park and Recreation's eccentric protagonist, Leslie Knope. Taking influence from The Office, Parks and Recreation follows a government official and her team in the Parks Department as comraderie, love, and shenanigans take center stage while they are trying to aid the community.

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Despite not appearing in the opening season, Scott's character had undeniable chemistry with the rest of the cast upon his introduction, with Ben becoming pivotal to the show's success as the protagonist's unfiltered love interest.

1 Mark Scout - Severance (2022-Present)

Dual Role That Sees A Generic Man Trying To Solve The Mystery Of His Own Occupation

The crowning achievement of Scott's storied career thus far has been Apple TV hit Severance, with the show seeing Scott in the hybrid protagonist role of Mark Scout. Portraying the Innie and Outie version of Mark, the character, alongside his coworkers in Lumon's MDR department and his family, begins to question Lumon and their operations, resulting in a whirlwind journey for Mark in and out of work.

Ranging from grumpy to awkward, Scott's versatile dual performance has brought forward a new dynamic for television protagonists, with Scott perfectly encapsulating the white-collar worker experience down to a tee while handling two differing personalities in opposing environments.