Jeff Hiller’s New Role in Stumble

Hot off an Emmy win for his performance in someone somewhere, Jeff Hiller is making waves with upcoming projects. He recently finished a vibrant guest role on NBC’s cheerleading mockumentary stumble, with Monica Aldama—popular on Netflix—serving as executive producer. Aldama is also known for coaching the renowned Navarro College Bulldogs cheer team. In this new series, coach Courtney Potter (played by Jen Lyon) attempts to build a unique team at Headleston State Junior College after losing her job at her former school.

To gain better funding for her team, Potter needs to win over Augustus Blimp, a mysterious benefactor in town. Hiller portrays Blimpf, a quirky German owner of a candy button factory with an intriguing family backstory. When asked about the character’s accent, Hiller mentioned that the creative team was initially interested in someone with a subtle German touch, reminiscent of Willy Wonka. “I laughed and told them I wouldn’t be able to pull that off,” he admitted. Yet his distinctive delivery adds a fun layer to the role, especially when interacting with Lyon, whom he refers to as the “queen of comedy.” He noted how her serious demeanor somehow enhances her comedic timing, while she also flaunts a bold red lip.

Aldama played a crucial role in landing Hiller’s part. “Apparently, she was a fan of someone somewhere,” he shared enthusiastically. In that HBO hit, Hiller played Joel, Sam’s (Bridget Everett) best friend, a role that resonated well with viewers. When asked about a potential return to that series, he didn’t hold back: “Call me today, and I’ll rearrange my schedule to be there!”

In a recent Zoom chat with Decider, Hiller discussed his experiences on stumble, his recent work on pluribus, and where he keeps his Emmy trophy.

Decider: What was your experience like playing Augustus Blimp, the candy factory owner?

Jeff Hiller: They wanted an actor with a slight German accent, kind of Willy Wonka-ish. I thought, “That’s not me.” But surprisingly, they liked the energy I brought to the character. It was honestly a blast.

Did that accent help you connect with Blimpf?

Definitely, but it’s funny. At first, they asked for something real and grounded. I chuckled to myself thinking, “Really?” After a few tries, they told me to just have fun with a thicker accent instead. Now, watching the final episode, I realize I didn’t exactly stick to realistic!

Working alongside Jen Lyon must have been interesting. What was that like?

Oh, I could rave about Jen for hours! I’m thrilled she got a leading role here. When her character is in coach mode, you can totally see how committed she is. She drew inspiration from Monica Aldama, which is pretty clear to anyone who watched support during the pandemic. Plus, she’s a fantastic comedic talent. She balances seriousness and humor effortlessly, making it all seem so easy—especially with that striking red lip. Honestly, I’d watch ten more seasons of her!

You mentioned Monica Aldama as the executive producer. Did you get a chance to meet her?

I absolutely adore her! Being from Texas, I feel a connection with her. She’s the type of person who gets things done without making a fuss. I really admire that about her. Turns out, she was a fan of someone somewhere and recommended me for this part.

You had a front-row seat to the cheerleaders’ performance during filming. Were you impressed by their skills?

Oh, absolutely! Monica joked that NBC was restrictive with safety rules, so I was curious about what we could really see. Some actors with no cheerleading experience were praised for their efforts, but honestly, it looked challenging! Taylor Dunbar, who plays Peaches, just graduated from Juilliard a few weeks ago. Even without prior cheerleading experience, she nailed her moves! There were also real cheerleaders on set, effortlessly soaring through the air.

Busy Philipps guest stars on this week’s episode as Peaches’ “kinda” older sister. What did you think of her?

I first met her at a Rachel Antonoff fashion show—it was really fun! I’ve read her book, and she’s genuinely delightful. During our time on set, we bonded over her costume for an upcoming Bette Midler Halloween party based on Moonstruck. I loved her goofy dance moments in the audience throughout the cheer scenes. She’s incredibly engaging while being effortlessly relatable.

Will we see Augustus Blimpf again in the future?

Absolutely! I’m all in for more quirks on a show filmed in New York.

You’ve also been featured in pluribus. How did you come to play Larry?

When I auditioned, they told me, “You’re Carol’s father, discussing her late mother.” I was like, “Wait, I’m old enough for that?” I had no clue what the show was about. Then on fitting day, they brought out this bicycle costume, and I thought, “What is going on here?” Leah sent me an email, which was a first for me, asking if I wanted to rehearse. The timeline was tight but once I met with the writer and director, they were gracious about my last-minute crash course. I had the general idea, but as a fan now, I realize I missed some details before.

With your Emmy award, where do you keep that now?

It’s on my bookshelf. Given I live in a one-room apartment, it’s not an ideal spot. I didn’t want it to dominate the entrance, like, “Welcome to my award-winning home!” So I tried to tuck it away, but placing it in the bathroom seemed risky—too small, and the last thing I want is to accidentally mess it up!

Any talks about a revival for someone somewhere? How eager are you and Bridget Everett to revisit that world?

Oh, if they called me today, I’d drop everything to go back! We love those characters. Every time we catch up, we contemplate what’s next for them. Just the other day, I spent time with Bridget playing Marco Polo, and we reflected on the last year. Those characters feel real to us, and we can’t wait to tell more of their stories. I can’t imagine anyone saying no to more episodes!