Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje Says It Took 1 Month to Fully Shed His “Euphoria” Character After Going Full Method (Exclusive)

Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, known for his formidable performances in various television series, has taken to Method acting in a significant way for his recent role as Alamo Brown in the third season of HBO’s acclaimed series ‘Euphoria’. The British actor, who has garnered attention for his work in shows such as ‘Lost’ and ‘Oz’, revealed the extraordinary lengths he went to in order to authentically embody his character.

In an interview with PEOPLE, Akinnuoye-Agbaje, now 58, shared that he embraced the character of Alamo to such an extent that many cast and crew members were unaware of his British origins. “Most of the crew actually thought I was from the South. They really did not know I was British,” he commented. Although some of his colleagues recognised him from previous roles, the majority were convinced that he hailed from the southern United States.

The actor portrays Alamo Brown, a key figure in the narrative whose actions contribute to the tragic death of Rue Bennett, played by Zendaya. This pivotal moment in the series underscores the character’s dark influence. Akinnuoye-Agbaje elaborated on his immersive approach to acting, indicating that he adopted a Southern accent throughout the filming process and even requested that everyone on set refer to him solely as Alamo. He noted, “From the get-go, when I landed in Los Angeles, I didn’t have much prep time… I asked everyone just to call me Alamo Brown. I didn’t need anybody to know Adewale, just Alamo Brown. And they all embraced it.”

This commitment to his character was evident in his everyday interactions on set. According to the actor, the crew and cast quickly adapted to using his character’s name, with female colleagues affectionately calling him “Al” and male colleagues opting for “Mo”. Akinnuoye-Agbaje stated that this level of integration significantly aided his performance, allowing him to access deeper nuances of Alamo’s personality.

Remarkably, it wasn’t until the show’s red carpet premiere that creator Sam Levinson finally referred to him by his actual name. “He’d been calling me Alamo. Even when I text him, I’d sign ‘Alamo.’ It was all about the character,” he explained. This ability to compartmentalise his character was further exemplified by his intense dedication to maintaining the Southern accent, which he upheld for about nine months.

However, this commitment to his character came with its challenges. “It was tough because I’m relating to my family and my friends in that accent, so you can’t always be present as yourself,” Akinnuoye-Agbaje remarked. Fortunately, his loved ones have grown accustomed to his intense acting methods, so much so that they no longer react when he uses an American accent. “My mother and friends, they talk to me as if they’re talking to an American. They don’t even flinch anymore,” he noted.

The transition from the character back to his authentic self proved difficult for Akinnuoye-Agbaje, taking him approximately a month to shake off the accent after filming ended. He recounted how the physical act of shaving his character’s beard was a significant step in this transition. “I had to give a respectable exit. But once I got the beard, the salt and pepper and all of that out, I started to get back to myself,” he explained.

Despite the challenges of becoming Alamo, the actor found elements of the character that resonated with him personally. He appreciated Alamo’s measured way of speaking and wished to carry that trait forward into his own life. “He discerns and he really thinks about what he’s going to say before he says it. I liked that trait in him,” Akinnuoye-Agbaje shared.

As he reflects on his time playing Alamo, he firmly believes that he has fulfilled his role. Akinnuoye-Agbaje expressed satisfaction with his performance stating, “I feel like I’ve done my job with Alamo. I really loved playing him, but I’ve done it and I can move on now.” He has no desire to cling onto the character, saying, “I don’t want the boots, the hat, the buckle. I don’t want any of it.”

With ‘Euphoria’ now available for streaming on HBO Max, fans can witness Akinnuoye-Agbaje’s intricate portrayal of Alamo Brown, a testament to his extraordinary dedication to his craft. As he shifts his focus to new roles, it will be intriguing to see how his experiences as Alamo continue to influence his future performances.