Christian Slater reflects on the ‘shocking’ elements in the TV series ‘Mr. Robot’ that left him feeling unsettled, shares British actor. The 56-year-old made these remarks at the recent Mr. Robot 10th-anniversary celebration during the New York Comic Con event on October 9, 2025. Slater highlighted the complexity of the show, describing it as ‘extraordinarily complex’ with numerous twists and turns that kept audiences on the edge of their seats.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/christian-slater-mr-robot-101025-79a6fa3301fa4ac4a12283be3f364bf4.jpg)
During its run on the USA Network from 2015 to 2019, ‘Mr. Robot’ followed the story of Elliot, a young programmer by day and a vigilante hacker by night, played by Rami Malek. Slater’s character, a mysterious leader of a hacker group, was revealed to be a figment of Elliot’s imagination, representing his deceased father. The series won critical acclaim, with Malek receiving a Primetime Emmy and Slater a Golden Globe for their performances.
Slater shared his initial excitement upon learning about the twist in the script from the show’s creator, Sam Esmail, before filming commenced. The concept of playing a figment of someone’s imagination resonated with him, adding depth to his character portrayal. However, as the series progressed, Slater confessed there were moments that pushed his boundaries and made him uncomfortable, which he believes was integral to the show’s impact on mental health and childhood trauma discussions.
The actor praised Esmail for his guidance and handling of sensitive topics within the show, crediting him for providing clarity and support to the cast. The Mr. Robot 10th-anniversary event reunited stars Malek and Slater with the series creator, Esmail, for a special live recording of Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast. Slater expressed his fascination with each season’s new plotlines, highlighting the thrill of receiving detailed insights from Esmail about the show’s direction.
Beyond his professional achievements, Slater’s personal life also came into focus during the event, where he shared about his family. Together with his wife, Brittany Lopez, he has two children: daughter Lena, born in 2019, and a son welcomed in July 2024. Additionally, Slater has two older children, Jaden and Eliana, from his previous marriage to Ryan Haddon. This rare glimpse into the actor’s personal life added a touching element to the retrospective celebration.
In concluding his reflections on ‘Mr. Robot’, Slater underscored the show’s impact in addressing challenging themes and its significance in sparking conversations around mental health and trauma. The event served as a platform for fans and the cast to revisit the series and reminisce about the groundbreaking storytelling that captivated audiences worldwide. Slater’s candid insights into his experience with the show provided a deeper understanding of the intricacies involved in bringing his character and the narrative to life.
As fans of ‘Mr. Robot’ continue to cherish the series and its profound impact, Slater’s revelations offer a new perspective on the complexities involved in portraying challenging roles and engaging with thought-provoking storylines on screen. His honesty and vulnerability in sharing his reactions to the show’s plot twists further cement his reputation as a versatile actor with a nuanced approach to his craft.