Johnny Pemberton on Mermaid, Fallout, Superstore and Stand-Up

**Actor and comedian Johnny Pemberton has built a career defined by high-energy performances and a unique comedic voice. Currently starring as Thaddeus in the massive Amazon Prime series **Fallout, Pemberton is also widely beloved for his role as Bo in NBC’s Superstore and Max in the FX hit You’re The Worst. His film credits are equally impressive, spanning from the 21 Jump Street franchise to Armando Iannucci’s Oscar-nominated In The Loop and Marvel’s Ant-Man.

In March 2026, Pemberton joined the Paltrocast via Zoom to discuss his leading role in the genre-defying film Mermaid. Set for a theatrical release via **Utopia on April 8, the film arrives with significant momentum following its SXSW** premiere and a rare 100% “Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Directed by Tyler Cornack, the story follows a “Florida Man” at his lowest point who discovers a wounded mermaid and decides to protect her at all costs, blending elements of action, comedy, and horror.

Pemberton discussed the physical and tonal challenges of playing a character trapped in such a surreal circumstance. Known for his ability to find the humor in the grotesque or uncomfortable, he described how the film’s “Not Rated” status allowed for a more unfiltered exploration of the plot’s darker themes. His performance in Mermaid follows a banner year that has seen him touring the country with his deeply personal stand-up show, Minnesota Reggae Colostomy Bag.

The conversation also touched upon the interconnectedness of his career. Longtime fans of his work on You’re The Worst will appreciate the synergy within the Paltrocast archive, as we previously spoke with his former co-star Aya Cash about her own career trajectory. That interview can be revisited **here**.

Beyond live-action roles, Pemberton remains a prolific voice artist, with credits in Bob’s Burgers, Adventure Time, and Netflix’s The Midnight Gospel, where he also served as a contributing writer. Whether he is hosting his long-running podcast LIVE to TAPE or navigating the wasteland of Fallout, Pemberton remains one of the most versatile and consistently working talents in the industry today.

The full interview with Johnny Pemberton is embedded below, followed by the official trailer for Mermaid.

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