How Severance’s Zach Cherry Had a Love Triangle With Himself

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Spoilers ahead for Severance season two episode nine, “The After Hours.”

Before the emotional turmoil of season two and the lingering longing, Dylan G., who behaves most like a genuine coworker among all characters on Severance, is likely the most relatable character. He’s affectionate, supportive, casual, profane, and, being the most motivated by perks at Lumon, he might just be television’s ultimate sweet treat. If there’s one scene that has been deeply etched into the memories of Severance fans during the lengthy winter break, it could very well be Dylan’s heroic moment when he grasped the Overtime Contingency Protocol switches as if he were Innie Jean-Claude Van Damme.

Dylan serves as the relatable and grounding aspect for the show “Severance,” particularly as it explores more complex puzzle-like scenarios. This is largely due to the unique qualities Zach Cherry infuses into his character. By the ninth episode of season two, however, Dylan G. has become a shattered individual, pining for his Outie’s wife portrayed by Merritt Wever. He describes this period as reminiscent of adolescence, when everything seems like the most intense and dramatic version of an experience, simply because it is the first time one has felt it.

As a movie lover portraying Dylan’s Outie in the first season, I chose not to ponder his Outie too much. Instead, I immersed myself in the Innie’s perspective as long as possible. Throughout the first season, Dylan had many ideas about what his Outie could be like, mostly for show and self-aggrandizement – that characteristic self-mythologizing he exhibits. To be honest, I didn’t have a clear vision of what his Outie would be like. It seemed likely to disappoint anyone who envisioned him as a daring riverboat captain or something else they might imagine in the first season. However, when the creators began to share their plans for the second season, it all made perfect sense to me.

What methods were used in creating the character Outie Dylan?
As we discussed the narrative for the series, focusing on what we would discover about him – namely, his struggle to find his place in the world and possibly having trouble keeping a job or finding his true passion – it became straightforward for me to imagine them as a Sliding Doors-like scenario. The Innie represents the version of him who did discover his purpose, so he exudes confidence without any of the extra weight of life’s experiences. As the Innie delves deeper into his family history, he realizes that Outie is a variation of himself who failed to find his calling but also had the chance to build relationships and achieve an intimacy that the Innie has yet to experience.

Is it generally observed among us that there seems to be a stronger connection between Dylan’s Innie and Outie compared to other characters?

This is a topic that comes up frequently in our discussions: What traits carry over? Part of this stems from the stark contrast in life experiences between the Outie and the Innie. The Outie Dylan, unlike being prepared his entire life for the CEO role of an enigmatic company, has baggage that feels more relatable to me personally. He’s dealing with family issues, financial strains, and struggles. On the other hand, the Innie Dylan appears to be a younger version of the Outie in my mind, which is another way I see it.

A less depressed and more humorous Dylan, prior to starting a family, was quite likable. However, he sometimes came across as overbearing and harsh. The inner Dylan somewhat resembles my youthful self, as I tended to focus more on myself than those around me.

Did you notice how Outie Dylan’s job interview at the door factory turned out comically? When we filmed that scene, were you thinking back to past awkward auditions or job interviews of mine?

Indeed, I’m not exactly a graceful interviewee. I’ve always found them uncomfortable and over-the-top. Not as much as that particular interview, but I often wished I could just tell the interviewer, “Have faith in me; I’ll do well here. Why must we go through this strange ritual?” The scene is an exaggerated portrayal of that sentiment – it starts off well for a moment, then he slips up and everything goes awry. That’s where my inspiration came from.

As an actor portraying both Outie and Innie Dylan in this captivating series, I found it quite intriguing to delve into the transformation of Innie’s character post Irv’s departure. The growth he undergoes is profound, as he starts to grapple with his own shortcomings within his relationship and confront external pressures that he hadn’t experienced before.

Playing this more somber version of Dylan was like stepping into a new chapter of his life where everything seemed intensely dramatic because it was unfamiliar territory for him – much like the heightened emotions of adolescence. It was my first time exploring the heartache of loss and the bitterness of heartbreak, and doing so while not being a teenager made it all the more challenging yet rewarding.

Was it tough to work without John Turturro around as often? He’s an incredible actor to collaborate with, both on-screen and off. We had a fantastic chemistry in season one, where the four of us were almost inseparable – him, Britt, Adam, and I. It was always such a lively atmosphere when we were together. Unfortunately, this season, we don’t get to spend as much time with our group dynamics, which is reflective of our characters’ experiences because John’s character has lost his friend. However, John is still a part of the production, and I’d cross paths with him during other shootings. It was definitely sad not to share more scenes with him and the rest of our group.

Could you share some insights about filming the funeral scene? Did it feel strange or awkward to eat a watermelon carved as John Turturro’s head?
Indeed, it was an unusual experience. At the same time, it was beneficial for my acting, just like every aspect of the show. The intricate sets made me feel immersed in reality. Having a real-life watermelon-head prop of John Turturro to act with during that scene provided extra support and authenticity to my performance. However, I must clarify that I wasn’t consuming his actual head. I believe the watermelon I was eating came from a different one.

In the current season, the character Innie Dylan develops feelings for his Outie’s wife, Gretchen. This episode marks a climax in this unusual love triangle. I found it fascinating when they described it as such: “A story where a man falls in love with himself and his wife!” The scenes involving Innie were particularly intriguing because they embodied the excitement of a first date, yet there was an undercurrent of familiarity due to their shared identity. It was like revisiting the thrill of first love. However, as expected, he eventually discovers that this relationship won’t turn out as he had imagined. This mirrors the common letdown experienced in first loves when reality doesn’t live up to fantasy, and he faces a harsh realization, although it’s not quite what you’d expect from our show.

Could you discuss the scene where you filmed your kiss?
As an actor, it was a bit nerve-racking for me for several reasons. My background is in sketch and improv comedy, so this kind of storytelling was new to me in my career. However, their confidence in me made it thrilling. The trust I felt from Ben Stiller, Dan Erickson, and the rest of the team gave me the belief that I could pull it off. Learning that Merritt would be playing my wife was both exhilarating and intimidating due to her exceptional acting skills. I had to remind myself not to mess up, but she made me feel so at ease as soon as we met, which helped reduce a lot of the tension when we started working together.

Are you embarking on your initial exploration of a romantic narrative for the camera? (or) Is this your debut performance in a romantic plotline for the screen?

In episode nine, you encounter a poignant, exposed scene where you propose to Gretchen using a small paper ring. What were your thoughts during that moment?

That scene underscores the limited life experiences of the Innies. Despite the implausibility of this woman moving in with her children beneath an office, his infatuation and naivety made it seem like a real prospect to him.

You asked about how my background in improv and sketch comedy influenced my role as the office prankster and my working relationship with Britt Lower, who I also do improv with. Well, when I moved to New York, I immersed myself in the improv scene and took classes at UCB. By the time this show came along, I had been performing there for about ten years, just like Britt. Since we were both part of the New York improv community, we had many mutual friends. Although we didn’t know each other when Britt first lived in New York, we quickly discovered our shared connections once we started filming season one. Now, we often collaborate as a team and occasionally perform together. This common ground in improvisation has significantly benefited us on Severance, as it provides a unique shorthand for creativity that fosters a sense of familiarity and comfort between us. When building office camaraderie during the first season, this connection was particularly valuable.

As a performer, I strive to adopt an improvisational mindset, focusing on being present, responding to my co-actors’ actions, and making each line seem authentic or lived-in. Ben has been supportive of me ad-libbing during filming sessions. Not everything makes it into the final cut, but it aids me in understanding the character’s limits, distinguishing what feels true to Dylan from what does not.

Are you someone who enjoys gaming, and many fans of Severance have been attempting to decipher the show’s mysteries by codebreaking, theorizing, and puzzle-solving? Do any of those activities resonate with you? Not really. I tend to take a more passive approach, saying something like, “They’ll reveal what I need to know when it becomes necessary.

Have you come across the memes featuring Dylan’s glasses occasionally sliding down his nose? If not, I usually skim through that kind of content.

People are concerned.
That’s very understandable. The glasses are almost their own character.

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2025-03-14 22:01