Evil’s Aasif Mandvi talks about what he’ll miss most about the show and playing Ben

As a long-time fan of the show, I must say that it was a delight to see Aasif Mandvi’s portrayal of Ben on Evil. His character not only brought humor and charm but also a deep understanding of social issues that resonated with me.

Major spoilers ahead for the Evil series finale, now streaming on Paramount+

We talked with the actor about what he’ll miss most about being on the show, what characteristics of Ben’s he’ll take with him, what the ending means for his character, and more!

1428 ELM: How is everyone feeling with the finale about to come out?

AA SIVANANDAN: It’s been an extraordinary journey for everyone involved, I believe. We’ve always enjoyed ourselves immensely while creating this show, and we’re all deeply saddened that it’s coming to an end. I suspect the royal family and the cast share these feelings, as I believe this was a unique situation where our successful series was unfortunately canceled due to decisions made by Paramount executives, who are currently experiencing challenging times.

It’s disappointing as there’s a wealth of untold story left by the creators, and both the actors and the audience yearn for more character development on this series. It seems unfair that it was ended at its peak, given our continued success in the streaming world, outperforming previous achievements.

As someone who has been involved in the entertainment industry for a number of years, I can appreciate the clever way the creators of this show have turned the cancellation of our program into a satirical commentary. It’s not often that you see a show take on its own demise so directly, and it speaks volumes about the passion and dedication of the people behind it. The fact that they’ve managed to make a statement about the industry’s tendency to cancel shows without fully understanding their potential is both impressive and frustrating. I can relate to this feeling all too well, as I’ve seen many promising projects cut short due to bureaucratic decisions or lack of foresight. It’s a shame that our show didn’t get the chance to reach its full potential, but I admire the creators for using their platform to make a statement about the industry and its flaws.

1428 ELM: This conclusion seems to open up a fresh chapter as they journey to Rome, suggesting an exciting new tale ahead. All we need now is to bring Ben along to Rome.

Aasif Mandvi: Well, truth be told, that scale of budget seems a bit challenging for us, but there’s definitely more to it. I’m willing to wager that David and Kristen will return to the United States. Initially, we suspected that The Kings would leave some loose ends, not everyone meeting their demise except for Christine Lahti’s character [Sheryl]. However, even Leland isn’t confirmed dead at the end, which might have been expected given the circumstances.

1428 ELM: How about you share your views on the conclusion of Ben’s story? I found it to be somewhat unclear about what lies ahead for him in the future.

AASIF MANDVI exclaims in disbelief: Wow, he got a job paying an annual salary of $650,000! I can’t even imagine the kind of position that demands such compensation!

1428 ELM: In terms of the tinfoil and the djinn, and whatnot.

As a devoted admirer, I’d express it like this: “I believe his reasons for no longer experiencing those phenomena were tied to his departure from the assessor role, where he was engaged in battling demons. Once he was free from that, these occurrences seemed to vanish.”

In my view, it seemed like there could be more to come, given that he made a phone call while standing on the illusory floor, hinting at ongoing events or developments.

AASIF MANDVI: He’s rolling it up, though, not standing on it, rolling it up and putting it away.

1428 ELM: Oh yes, you’re right, my bad.

AASIF MANDVI: For now, it seems like that phase has ended, but who knows? It’s amusing when I think about it, as the evaluators were only offering $65,000 the entire time. I find myself wondering, where in New York can you live on a salary of $65,000? That apartment Ben owns wouldn’t be affordable on such a low income.

1428 ELM: That’s a great set. I love that apartment.

AASIF MANDVI: What I’ll truly [long for] is being part of that set. To be honest, there are numerous aspects about the show I will miss, such as collaborating with all the other actors and the writing. However, it was delightful to inhabit that apartment during my time there. It was a joy to inhabit that apartment during my time there.

1P Gamer Perspective: As a passionate gamer, I’ve always appreciated the thought-provoking social commentary woven into 1428 ELM. If given a chance, I would love to delve deeper into certain themes and perhaps introduce more interactive elements that allow players to engage directly with these issues, fostering a richer gaming experience and promoting meaningful dialogue.

AASIF MANDVI: That’s intriguing. To put it another way, there’s an abundance of negative aspects in our current world that can be discussed. Therefore, there’s certainly no shortage of material for a good story.

In our initial discussions, Robert [King] and I shared a curiosity about the character Ben’s Islamic heritage, and I’ve always found it intriguing to delve into various belief systems. We touched on this topic a bit, but I felt there was more potential to explore. An intriguing scene, perhaps in season two, showcased the contrast between Ben’s Islamic upbringing and David’s Catholic faith. I often ponder about this dynamic, not so much science versus religion, but rather how our different religious indoctrination shapes our perspectives. This can lead to troubling outcomes, as tragically illustrated in today’s world.

1428 ELM (Revised): As a fan who’s been following Ben for quite some time, I find myself pondering about the aspects of his character that might resonate with me. Are there any particular traits or qualities that you think I could adopt from Ben in my own journey?

When it comes to fixing things around my house, I often find myself thinking, “What would Ben do in this situation?” Sometimes, I even wonder if I could somehow become Ben and handle the issue without calling a professional. However, despite these brief moments of self-delusion, I eventually have to call a plumber because, let’s face it, I’m not actually Ben.

1428 ELM: Ben the Magnificent.

AASIF MANDVI: Well, Ben the Magnificent, huh. I can certainly give that air conditioning unit a try, though I’m not always confident with such tasks. What stands out to me about Ben is his assurance, something that seems so foreign to me given my own doubts. However, the show does present some challenges to his competence. If I were to describe him in one word, it would be competent. I sometimes wonder if Ben and I could be friends, but I think he might not feel the same way about me. I’d love to hang out with him, but he’d probably tell me to chill out.

All fours seasons of Evil are now streaming on Paramount+.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

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2024-08-23 20:25