Evan Peters almost quit acting after filming scene in Mare of Easttown

Evan Peters' star has risen following his portrayal of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer – but he was tempted to pack in acting altogether before taking on the role.

The 35-year-old played Detective Colin Zabel in hit HBO series Mare of Easttown (which, if you haven't watched, you absolutely should), and while shooting a challenging scene he crumbled.

Acting opposite the great Kate Winslet, he had to show a vulnerable side to his character in a drunken bar scene.

HBO

Said scene turned out brilliantly, but Peters thought he'd fluffed it at the time, and had to be consoled by director Craig Zobel.

In an interview with Vanity Fair's Still Watching: Mare of Easttown podcast in May 2021, he said: "The reason Craig and I were emotional and hugging, was because I was hysterically sobbing.

"I thought we didn't get the scene. I was like, 'We didn't get it, we didn't get it. I can't do this. I'm terrible. I'm going to shadow you, Craig, and be a director, because I can't do it anymore.'

"And he was like, 'It's okay. It's cool, man. I think we got it.'

"What's going on with my internal judgment? Where I don't even know if it's good."

Thankfully, he stuck with it, because he's since been hailed as 'one of the most talented actors of our generation' following his performance in Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.

The Netflix series is a controversial dramatisation of the crimes of the prolific serial killer and cannibal, who killed 17 men and boys between 1978 and 1991.

While it undoubtedly makes for a disturbing watch, many viewers were blown away by Peters' chilling performance.

One social media user said: "I don't know what to think of Dahmer. Evan Peters is one of the most talented actors of our generation. I keep having to stop every half an hour because it's too much."

Netflix

Another said: "Evan Peters is just too good. Portraying one of America's worst serial killers must have been really scary/difficult for him but he nailed it. He is really one of the most talented actors of this generation."

While a third added: "Evan Peters is one of the most talented actors of our generation. But even I will need to have a break in between episodes.

"The multitude of layers of homophobia and racism meant the real-life Jeffrey Dahmer got away with it for years. It's devastating to watch."

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