Emjay Anthony on His Role in Peacock’s Hysteria!, His Start in Acting, and Channeling the 1980s

Emjay Anthony recently joined Pop Culture Unplugged to talk about his latest project, Peacock's Hysteria!, where he stars as Dylan Campbell, a high schooler caught in the wild happenings of the 1980s "Satanic Panic." Anthony, who has been in the industry since the age of five, opened up about his journey, his love for horror, and his dream collaborations. Here are the highlights from the interview.

Embracing the Lead Role in Hysteria!

For Emjay, seeing his name in the credits as a lead in a series was both surreal and exciting. He said, "I can't believe it. It’s mind-boggling to see my name come up first. I’m just so blessed." The series, which premiered last week, quickly gained traction, making it to #5 on Peacock’s trending list, a milestone Emjay is incredibly grateful for.

A Career Born from a Childhood Dream

Emjay's entry into the industry has an interesting origin. At first, he wanted to act as a way to avoid traditional schooling. However, once he experienced life on set, he fell in love with acting. "You meet amazing people and get to do crazy things that you wouldn’t in real life," he shared. His early roles in projects like Chef with Jon Favreau helped solidify his love for the industry. Favreau, Emjay recalls, taught him how to be a professional actor—and even inspired him to pick up cooking!

Playing Dylan Campbell in Hysteria! and the 1980s Influence

In Hysteria!, Emjay plays Dylan, a high schooler and budding guitarist in a heavy metal band. The show, set against the 1980s "Satanic Panic" era, gave him the chance to tap into his inner metalhead. "The music was a big draw for me," Emjay said. "I’m a big metal fan, so the idea of playing a character who loves heavy metal was exciting."

Preparing for the role came with a challenge: learning the guitar. Emjay had never played before and had to learn Iron Maiden's "Number of the Beast" in just three weeks. Now, he proudly owns and plays the guitar featured in the show.

Working with Icons: Julie Bowen and Bruce Campbell

Playing alongside seasoned actors like Julie Bowen, who portrays his mother, and Bruce Campbell, who plays a police chief, was a huge honor for Emjay. Reflecting on his on-screen mom, he said, "She's such a legend. Just being around her, I learned so much." Bruce Campbell’s professionalism also left a lasting impact. Emjay recounted their first scene together, an intense interview sequence, saying, "You can tell why Bruce has such a name for himself—he’s a true pro."

The Challenges and Thrills of Hysteria!

For Emjay, one of the most challenging scenes to film was being buried alive. "They actually dug a hole, put a coffin in it, and shoved me inside. I wasn’t acting at all—I was genuinely terrified." Conversely, his favorite moments were performing the show’s concert scenes, which gave him a taste of what it’s like to be a rock star.

Bringing 1980s Culture to Life

Set in a decade infamous for its fervor over Satanism and rock music, Hysteria! immerses viewers in the 1980s vibe. Emjay prepared by researching the period and, as a self-proclaimed '80s fan, was excited to bring Dylan's journey to life. As he shared, the series delves into the town's atmosphere and how panic and prejudice spread like wildfire during that era, particularly against those associated with heavy metal.

Emjay’s Takeaways and What’s Next

With the series successfully launched, Emjay hopes audiences take away the message to "not be followers." He explained, "It’s important to make your own decisions, and the show definitely explores that idea." He’s especially excited for viewers to catch the season finale, which ties together various subplots in a satisfying way, thanks to writer Matthew Scott Kane’s meticulous storytelling.

While he couldn’t share specifics, Emjay hinted at an upcoming project slated for 2026. To keep up with Emjay and his latest projects, fans can follow him on Instagram at @emjayanthony.

As Hysteria! continues to capture audiences with its unique mix of horror, comedy, and supernatural elements, Emjay Anthony’s standout performance as Dylan Campbell is one fans won’t want to miss.

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