‘Severance’ Star Britt Lower on Helly’s ‘Reclamation’ of Her Body: ‘Her Heart Opening to Connection Is the Scariest Thing’

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Caution: The following narrative reveals key plot points from episode 6 of season 2 of “Severance,” currently available on Apple TV+. Proceed with caution if you wish to avoid spoilers.

Britt Lower’s Helly R. has been through the ringer in the second season of “Severance.”

Following the takeover of her own form by Helena (an outsider), she eventually reappears on the disconnected level as her usual self, but encounters a frosty greeting from her coworkers in the field of macrodata processing.

In the sixth episode of Season 2, named “Attila,” Helly uncovers some truths when Mark admits that he had an intimate relationship with a woman he thought was Helly, which occurred during the events of Episode 4, known as the ORTBO.

Helly is deeply upset when she discovers the truth, but she doesn’t dwell on it for too long. She confides in Mark, “It really stinks that she got to enjoy that experience and I didn’t. It feels like she manipulated me to deceive my friends.

Instead of timidly suggesting to explain their relationship, Helly proposes something different: “I don’t need her memories. I want my own.” She guides Mark towards an office filled with desks covered in plastic wrap – the business equivalent of a comfortable pillow fort – and they create a personal memory together instead.

I had a discussion with EbMaster about a crucial scene, where Helly regains control of her body, all the way from the impactful instance when she reasserts herself, to the intricate duality between her introverted and extroverted personas.

Do you feel a sense of relief now that you’re finally able to talk about spoilers like the big Helly/Helena reveal?

It’s fascinating to consider how the release schedule of our episodes has influenced viewers. Each week provides them with space to explore and develop the storyline in their own minds, creating a unique world based on our original one. For a series centered around consciousness, this creative interaction between our work and the fans seems incredibly fitting. Kudos to everyone for their insightful theories – they’re truly remarkable!

You’ve spoken before about the ways that Helena, much like Helly, is trapped. Do you think Helena is jealous of Helly?

Certainly!

“Definitely, I agree. My friend once said that jealousy is like unbearable admiration, and I believe that’s what Helena might be feeling when she sees Helly R. It’s as if it’s her but not her at the same time, since Helly R. embodies a way of moving through life that is vibrant, alert, and forward-thinking. In contrast, Helena constantly has to maintain self-control and wear masks.

“Yes, I concur. My friend defined jealousy as extreme admiration that’s hard to bear. That’s probably what Helena feels when she sees Helly R., because it seems like it’s Helena but not really, since Helly R. is living a life full of energy and awareness, without hesitation. Meanwhile, Helena always has to keep up appearances by wearing masks.

I frequently ponder the gender-related issues within this organization, such as the expectations about how women should present themselves and navigate their careers here. Unfortunately, Helly R. might not realize it, but her attire sometimes stands out in a way that seems incongruous with the typical office dress code. For instance, wearing heels might seem odd or misplaced in this professional setting.

We finally see her take those heels off for the first time in this episode. Why?

Following the revelation about the incident at ORTBO involving Mark and Helena, Helly proceeds to walk through the corridors and removes her shoes. This was a poignant moment that director Uta Briesewitz and I discovered together. She simply requires a moment to connect with the earth beneath her feet.

Mark’s confession is obviously devastating to Helly, but she refuses to be defeated. It’s a powerful moment when she finally reclaims her own body by becoming intimate with Mark on her own terms. How did you approach those scenes?

In simpler terms,

You used the correct term. It’s about reclaiming something or someone. It takes courage for Helly to admit her feelings openly to Mark. Normally, nothing much rattles Helly, but opening up to connections is terrifying – not just for Mark, but also for her close friends Dylan and Irving. In the first season, Helly told Mark she couldn’t imagine being less interested in being his family, with a knife at her throat as the metaphor. By the end of Season 1, however, they form a tight-knit group – particularly after the Music Dance Experience. It seems that their bond strengthens significantly when they protect Dylan following his encounter with Mr. Milchick. I believe you can see their unity most clearly during these moments.

Milchick moved towards Dylan, and without a need for explanation, John, Adam, and I found ourselves huddled around Zach to safeguard him. I often use names interchangeably for simplicity, but the intent is clear: that moment felt like a defining instant of our bond as a family, where we vowed to shield each other no matter the cost. Now, there’s an underlying sense of danger, as they risk losing their connections with one another.

In Season 2, the characters grapple with understanding their identities not just in terms of their work, but also in relation to the people they care about. They ponder how they can be there for loved ones, what impact these relationships have on them, and how their differing desires shape their personal identities.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

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2025-02-22 01:18