What You Need to Know About Sebastian Stan’s ‘A Different Man’ Costar Adam Pearson

Frustrated with the way he is judged and mocked for his appearance in everyday life, Edward agrees to participate in an experimental drug trial that may cure him. The procedure is a success and the layers of his skin peel away over time, revealing a new face and a new alter-ego he calls Guy.

But the novelty wears off after Edward meets the charismatic Oswald (Pearson), who was also born with neurofibromatosis but navigates the world with confidence. As the pair get to know each other better, Edward finds himself envious and longing for the identity he has given up.

Although Pearson, 39, is primarily known for his work as an award-winning broadcaster and disability rights activist, “A Different Man” marks his latest acting credit. Here’s everything you need to know about it.

Pearson was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1 at age 5

Pearson has an identical twin brother named Neil Pearson who also has neurofibromatosis. NF manifests in different ways for siblings; Adam has facial differences and Neil has poor short-term memory and epilepsy. As of 2024, Adam told People magazine that he had undergone 39 procedures to remove his excess of ever-growing tumors.

In a 2014 interview with The Observer, Adam said he was bullied at school because of his appearance.

He told Longevity that “TV was always plan A for me”, but he studied business management at the University of Brighton as a back-up plan.

Adam went on to make a name for himself as a presenter on the documentaries ‘Horizon: My Amazing Twin’, ‘Adam Pearson: Freak Show’, ‘The Ugly Face of Disability Hate Crime’ and ‘Eugenics: Science’s Greatest Scandal’. He and Neil were also the subjects of the 2019 short documentary “The Pearson Twins”.

While working in television production, an opportunity arose for Adam to star in Jonathan Glazer’s 2014 sci-fi film Under the Skin, starring Scarlett Johansson. He went on to appear in several other shorts and films, including writer-director Aaron Schimberg’s Chained for Life.

Throughout his thriving career in entertainment, Adam has also used his platform to champion disability rights and destigmatize NF.

“Going in with a clear head and a full heart,” Pearson told People in a recent interview. “If people want to talk, let’s talk. I know some in the disability community say, “It’s not my job to educate you about disability.” But we are the experts, I think if I don’t educate, I’m reckless and irresponsible”.

The role of Pearson in “A Different Man” was written for him

After meeting Pearson through “Chained for Life,” Schimberg ended up writing the screenplay for “A Different Man,” specifically the character of Oswald.

“I was inspired to write a role to show his range, also as a sort of tribute to him,” the “Different Man” writer-director said in the film’s press notes.

Schimberg, who has a corrected bilateral cleft lip and palate, credited Pearson with changing his “view of my own disfigurement because I’ve always lived in fear of other people’s judgment.”

Schimberg also said that he would not have considered doing “A Different Man” if Pearson had passed on the role.

Pearson, for his part, praised the writer-director for writing him a role that doesn’t stereotype disabled actors, something he’s previously called out in Hollywood.

“Aaron knows how to write for me and he knows what I’m like in real life,” Pearson said in the press notes. “It’s always good to broaden your portfolio of characters – as a disabled actor you risk being typecast anyway. It was a real joy to be involved in this and to bring the band back together.”

“A Different Man” is now in theaters.