Meet Lumon’s Child Boss: ‘Severance’ Star Sarah Bock on Mastering Ms. Huang’s Sinister Stare and Her First Set Experience: ‘I Definitely Had a Lot of Imposter Syndrome’

HEADS UP CINEPHILES!: Here’s a sneak peek into my recent cinematic adventure – a juicy spoiler from the premiere of Season 2, Episode 1 of “Severance,” now streaming on Apple TV+.

Back in 2022, as a dedicated cinephile, I found myself with a script for the premiere of “Severance” season two in my hands. At that time, the only thing I knew about my character was her job the “newest deputy manager” at Lumon Industries. This role seemed far too senior for someone like me, a 15-year-old who barely looked old enough to be an office intern, let alone a boss.

Absolutely, that’s exactly what they meant. Bock, currently a freshman at Northwestern University, recounts to EbMaster how the creators Dan Erickson and director/executive producer Ben Stiller described the role to her. “I didn’t know much about her other than her status, but I did realize she was remarkably young,” she says. “However, during the audition, they hinted that she might appear less in control than she truly is, which was my first inkling into her mysterious yet undeniably strong-willed character.

In the premiere of the second season, Ms. Huang, who eventually received a name, presents one of the most peculiar storylines. Following Harmony Cobel’s dismissal as manager of the separated floor, Seth Milchick (Tramell Tillman) takes over, only to be usurped by Ms. Huang. The precise age of Ms. Huang remains undisclosed, with Bock stating, “She’s definitely younger than my actual age, but I’m not exactly sure how old she is.” However, it’s evident that she possesses an unsettling boldness, using it to command her significantly older subordinates.

On her first day working on set alongside more experienced actors such as Adam Scott and John Turturro, Ms. Huang admitted to experiencing feelings of imposter syndrome. However, she managed to overcome these doubts to deliver a compelling performance, as it was evident that she had never once questioned her professional abilities throughout her career.

In our story, the cherished characters – Mark (Adam Scott), Helly (Britt Lower), Dylan (Zach Cherry) and Irving (John Turturro) – are equally perplexed by her presence, much like us. “Why is she so old?” Dylan inquires of Mark in a hushed concern as they trail behind her along one of Lumon’s seemingly endless corridors that resemble tunnels.

Currently, it’s evident that we won’t receive a straightforward explanation from Ms. Huang herself. Earlier in the episode, Mark W., played by Bob Babalan, directly questioned her about why she appears to be a child during an ice breaker game, to which she responded cryptically with “Because of when I was born…” This scene is being analyzed by psychologists as an example of gaslighting.

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but delve into the intricacies of the Season 2 premiere of “Severance.” Here’s my take on how Bock crafted her chilling demeanor and the remarkable transformation of Ms. Huang from her initial script reading.

First off, let me say that the season opener was a masterclass in suspenseful storytelling. But what truly caught my eye were Bock’s choices in portraying her enigmatic character. From the moment she appeared on screen, her sinister aura was palpable – it wasn’t just about the menacing glares or the cold, calculated demeanor; it was the subtle nuances that made her performance so captivating.

Take, for instance, the way she handled herself during the tense confrontations with Mark and Helly. There was a certain restraint in her movements, a calculated patience that belied the danger lurking beneath the surface. It was a testament to Bock’s skill as an actress that she could make such subtle choices feel so impactful.

But let’s not forget about Ms. Huang’s evolution throughout the episode. When I first saw her during the initial script read, she seemed like just another cog in the machine – a one-dimensional character with little potential for growth. However, as the story unfolded, it became apparent that there was much more to her than meets the eye.

The way she navigated the complex relationships within the office, particularly her interactions with Mark and her enigmatic boss, Mr. Milchick, showed a depth of character that I didn’t expect from such a seemingly mundane role. It was clear that Bock had taken the time to develop Ms. Huang into a fully-fledged character, one who could hold her own against the more established characters in the series.

In short, the Season 2 premiere of “Severance” was a masterclass in suspenseful storytelling and acting. Bock’s portrayal of the enigmatic Ms. Huang was nothing short of brilliant, and her transformation from a seemingly one-dimensional character to a complex, intriguing figure was nothing short of remarkable. I can’t wait to see what twists and turns the rest of the season holds in store!

Did you watch the first season when it came out?

I hadn’t watched the show prior, but I was familiar with it since my parents were avid fans. On occasion, I peeked into the living room during Season 1, asking, “What is this?” However, when I received an audition for it, I spent the entire day watching the series from start to finish, even staying up till 4 a.m., as I wanted to grasp its tone. I didn’t expect to become so engrossed in it though. I felt compelled to watch the entire thing because I had grown fond of it and was consumed by curiosity about the storyline.

How did Ms. Huang change from your initial script read?

Initially, she behaved somewhat as you’d anticipate a child might – perhaps a touch shy or uneasy, clearly out of her comfort zone. However, during our playful interactions, even on my first day of shooting, I was unsure about the character’s portrayal. But in a defining moment when we were filming the ball game scene with Mark S., Ben instructed me to fixate on him for an extended period, almost like a prolonged gaze competition. He said, “When it feels like you’ve been staring for too long, stare for about three seconds more.” It was during that instant that I began to grasp her character, realizing she wasn’t your typical teenage character – she possessed a certain strength beyond the ordinary.

What was your audition process like, and what scene did you read?

In late August 2022, I received my initial self-tape, which marked the beginning of an extended production timeline. Filming commenced in October 2022. The initial phase involved recording a self-tape that closely mirrored the ball game scene from the first episode. Approximately a month later, I had a Zoom meeting with Ben and a few producers, and it’s possible that creator Dan Erickson was also present. A month after that, they arranged for me to travel to New York City, where I met Tramell in person for the first time. We rehearsed the ball game scene together, which was an enjoyable experience. During this session, Ben and Tramell played different characters. There was another scene not included in the final series that I read with Tramell, in which I believe I was instructing someone to enter the Break Room.

How much did you know about Ms. Huang and where she was headed in the story while you were shooting?

Initially for Season 1, they had all the scripts ready from the start. However, for Season 2, things took a different course. We received the initial few episodes, but the remaining scripts trickled in as the months passed, leaving us uncertain about the direction of the season. Consequently, I spent quite a bit of time speculating, and as I read through the scripts, I had no idea what would transpire next. It was truly shrouded in mystery. The process also involved numerous rewrites and changes in plotlines, which added an element of confusion at times since we shot out of sequence. Yet, this unpredictability kept me engrossed because I was eager to discover the unfolding events.

What was your experience on set with actors like Adam Scott, who I’m sure you were familiar with beforehand?

I certainly struggled with feelings of inadequacy, given my deep admiration for these talented individuals who are exceptional actors and remarkable human beings. However, it was my debut on a film set, so they all graciously guided me through the nuances of professional conduct, showing me how to maintain composure, locate my position (mark), and avoid obvious gazes towards it. I can’t emphasize enough how inspiring they were as leaders, setting the right tone, maintaining high spirits, and serving as remarkable role models throughout the production process. As a result, I absorbed a great deal of knowledge from them.

You’re a freshman at Northwestern. How have the reactions been like from your classmates ahead of your breakout role in this new season?

They’re genuinely thrilled for me, and it’s incredibly heartwarming. Upon entering school, I chose not to share my news with anyone initially, preferring to take the time to get to know people better first. At that point, only two individuals were privy to the information. However, once it was officially announced, everyone showed incredible support. Since I participated in a play here during the fall semester with some members of the theater program, they all want to host a watch party for me. Everyone has been exceptionally kind about this exciting development.

Did you watch the first episode with friends when it came out on Thursday night?

This past week, I’ve been under the weather, confined to my dorm room. Despite this, I managed to stay connected with my family, especially during our shared viewing of that episode over a FaceTime call.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

2025-01-18 18:17