Rami Malek is well aware Mr. Robot and the role of Elliot Alderson is something special.
"As an actor, you look for a role like this," he told E! News at Mr. Robot's FYC event. "This is like the joker in the deck. It's the card everyone wants. I look forward to that, every day to play a character with such substance. He's so conflicted, he's dark and grieving and in pain, and still trying to change the world."
Malek's Mr. Robot character, a vigilante hacker who suffers from anxiety, depression, delusions and paranoia, is unlike any character on TV today. The actor, who received a Golden Globe nomination for this work on the show, said Elliot inspires him while being a voice for "so many people."
"That's one of the most rewarding aspects of this show is there have been people who have reached out to me who are alienated, who are dealing with something mentally and so many ways this character relates to them," he said. "And then there are some people who have all of those elements going on. They write letters, fan mail, or they come up to me in the street or they talk about someone they know—the impact of having a show that cannot only entertain you or provoke your thought, but actually make you feel normal? I think that's one of the most powerful things that we can be capable of."
Season two picks up right after Elliot and fsociety were successful in their E Corp hack. Yes, Mr. Robot (Christian Slater) is still there, kicking around Elliot's head. It's safe to say Elliot has found himself in better states of mind before. Meanwhile, Angela (Portia Doubleday) is getting even more entrenched in the world of E Corp, Darlene (Carly Chaikin) is trying to keep things together and then there's the whole thing with the Whiterose (BD Wong).
"Ultimately all of your questions will be answered," Malek promised.
Mr. Robot season two premieres Wednesday, July 13 at 10 p.m. on USA.
(E! and USA are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)