Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje has built a career on playing unforgettable characters, from Lost to Oz to the MCU and DCU. But his role as Alamo Brown in Euphoria Season 3 might be his most chilling yet. The ruthless strip club owner who employs Rue and ultimately leaves her fentanyl-laced pills is a terrifying figure, but Akinnuoye-Agbaje's layered performance makes him fascinating. In a recent interview, the actor revealed the meaning behind Alamo's actions, how he crafted the character's iconic Southern drawl, and teased deleted scenes with Sydney Sweeney that never made the final cut.
Finding Alamo's Voice: From Westerns to the Trumpet
Akinnuoye-Agbaje explained that Alamo's voice was inspired by Western icons like Jim Brown, Eli Wallach, and Woody Strode, as well as the music of Isaac Hayes. 'I spoke a lot with Sam [Levinson] about how we wanted to pitch this. He was heavily influenced by Western iconography — Sergio Leone, John Ford,' the actor said. To achieve the rich baritone, he used a unique method: playing the trumpet for 20 minutes before each scene. 'I play the trumpet, and I noticed that jazz players have this natural, rich baritone. Before I'd go on set, I would take my horn and blow it for at least 20 minutes, and it would give me this rich texture.' The technique worked so well that Levinson incorporated the trumpet into the show.
The Chess Game Between Alamo and Rue
Akinnuoye-Agbaje delved into Alamo's complex dynamic with Rue, describing it as a 'chess game.' He noted that Alamo enjoys theatrical retribution and has a sadistic streak. 'He could have just killed and attacked Laurie, but he sends the pig back, and then she sends it back, and it's a chess game. I think there's an element of loneliness in his life, so he loves to stimulate himself with these sadistic games of war, death, and punishment.' The actor also revealed that Alamo's test of Rue — putting an apple on her head — was a test of her faith and core. 'If she flinched, I think he probably would have shot her, but the fact that she holds her ground and laughs afterwards, you're like, 'All right. This one's crazy. She might just work.''
Deleted Scenes with Sydney Sweeney
Akinnuoye-Agbaje teased that he shot scenes with Sydney Sweeney (who plays Cassie) that were ultimately cut. While he didn't reveal specifics, he hinted that the scenes would have added more depth to Alamo's relationships. 'We had some really interesting moments that didn't make it, but that's the nature of the beast,' he said. The actor praised Levinson's unconventional directing style, which he said made him a stronger actor. 'Sam pushes you to find things you didn't know you had. It's a very collaborative process.'
For more on the Euphoria finale, check out our analysis of why the messy finale proves Season 3 was never necessary. And for more on Levinson's unique approach, see our interview with Euphoria's Anna Van Patten on working with Sam Levinson.
Akinnuoye-Agbaje's performance as Alamo has earned him buzz for a potential Emmy nomination. Whether or not he gets the nod, his work on Euphoria is a masterclass in character creation. From the voice to the menace to the unexpected vulnerability, Alamo Brown is a villain for the ages.
