Severance Showdown: Creator Confirms True Identity of Mark’s Runaway!

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In Season 2, viewers found themselves scrambling to keep up and show they’d outsmarted the creators. Notably, a widely-discussed fan theory turned out to be correct: The character who entered through the door in the first episode was not actually Helly (Britt Lower). Instead, it was Helena, her counterpart or “outie.

The plot twist wasn’t unveiled until the fourth episode of the series, leaving even the actors themselves stunned upon reading their scripts. Tramell Tillman, portraying Mr. Milchick, shared his initial reaction when he found out about the twist. “When I first read the script,” he said, “I felt like I might throw my laptop across the room.” He felt deceived. “Betrayed! Lied to!”, he exclaimed. “The whole time?” he asked in disbelief. However, it was gratifying for him when the episode aired and he got to witness the viewers’ reactions to that shocking revelation.

The ease with which Helena took over Helly’s role had significant implications for the series moving forward. Towards the end of season one, Mark (Adam Scott) chose to abandon Gemma (Dichen Lachman) and flee with Helly instead. As the clock wound down, Helly gave Gemma a look that some interpreted as compassion and others saw as arrogance. In truth, was that really Helena or just Helly disguising herself?

Britt Lower’s character was clearly Helly in that particular scene, as she asserted her individuality by leaving with Mark. However, showrunner Dan Erickson wants to ensure viewers have no doubt about this being Helly’s decision. “I know fans adore Gemma and Mark together, but the idea of Helly and Mark making such a painful choice might be difficult for some,” Erickson explained to Variety. “I don’t view it as a situation where one person is taking someone else’s lover. Instead, I see it as a moment showcasing one character asserting their independence and the significance of their own life.

Ben Stiller Loves The Fan Interactions

Despite some fan theories veering slightly away from the mark, executive producer Ben Stiller appreciates the intensity of their passion. He expressed, “I must admit, it’s incredibly inspiring to engage with the audience, something we didn’t have in my generation growing up.” He further added, “When someone disagrees with a choice made, I occasionally exchange thoughts and find that stimulating too, as positive dialogue often emerges from such interactions. It’s enjoyable, and at the heart of it all, I try not to overthink it.

He said in April, ““It’s important to view everything with a bit of skepticism and understand that everyone has unique perspectives. However, we need to maintain our own distinct vision for what we’re working on, which should not be influenced by others. While we’re filming, we’re usually in this isolated space, just focusing on the task at hand.”

Severance is streaming on Apple TV+.

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2025-05-06 04:19