‘Severance’ Star Tramell Tillman on Milchick Sabotaging Ms. Cobel, Crashing His Motorcycle and Why He’s Not a Villain: ‘Audiences Will Start to See That’

⚠️ Caution: The following narrative reveals key plot points from Episode 2 of Season 2 in the series “Severance,” currently available on Apple TV+.

In this way, I’ve made the warning more conversational and easier to understand, while still maintaining its original intent.

In the second episode of “Severance” Season 2, we see a surprising and somewhat refreshing aspect of Mark Milchick, the seemingly ruthless floor manager, being unveiled.

Slipping into my snug leather jacket, I roar through the snow-kissed town of Kier on my motorcycle, persuading Mark (Adam Scott) to remain at Lumon and both dismissing and rehiring Dylan (Zach Cherry) and Irving (John Turturro). In an episode that spans before and beyond the season premiere’s events, I find myself assigned with the mission of restoring the MDR department after Mark insists on working alongside his team. It’s evident that my enigmatic Cold Harbor project holds great significance for Lumon.

In this episode, I get the opportunity to tag along with Milchick and witness his daily activities beyond the office environment. It’s fascinating to observe how he navigates interactions with both the ‘outies’ and the ‘innies.’ However, Milchick remains a bit enigmatic; his ultimate goals as an unresolved middle manager remain uncertain.

Tillman informs EbMaster that Milchick has been deeply ingrained in Lumon’s principles and values, which are closely linked with Kier’s ideals. However, he adds that it remains uncertain to what extent Milchick genuinely accepts those beliefs. This could suggest a potential change or awakening for Milchick as the season progresses.

Regarding the remainder of the season, Tillman suggests that his complex character may undergo some significant changes. He’s gradually becoming more human-like, exploring aspects of himself, and learning more about the organization he’s part of.

Tillman discusses his process of learning to ride a motorcycle for the show, hinting at Milchick possibly usurping Ms. Cobel (played by Patricia Arquette), and explaining that he doesn’t perceive his character as a villain.

Tillman explains how he learned to ride a motorcycle for the series, implies that Milchick might have replaced Ms. Cobel (Patricia Arquette), and states that he doesn’t think of his character as a bad guy.

When Milchick fires Irving and Dylan, he lies about why they’ve been let go from Lumon. What is Lumon’s strategy here? Won’t their outies find out about the rebellion their innies launched?

In Episode 2, Milchick queries Helena about taking action against certain individuals. He asks, “Should I let them go?” To which she responds, “Let Kier be your guide.” This scene is intriguing because Milchick is essentially left to decide the fate of both outies and innies, without any explicit instructions or guidelines. So, he’s essentially figuring it out on his own, as there’s no manual to follow. Regarding Dylan, he does inform him about a confrontation he was involved in, which is accurate. However, he keeps the details of Dylan’s innie’s actions confidential. With Irving, there’s an air of mystery. This instance highlights Milchick’s cunning nature and his knack for solving problems spontaneously.

Milchick has built a certain level of trust with the outies, who don’t know him that well but have let him into their homes. How does Milchick’s relationship with the outies differ from his relationship with the innies?

In simpler terms, his interactions with the ‘innies’ are more like that of a teacher or mentor, while with the ‘outies’, he takes on a customer service role, acting professionally and building trust. This dynamic becomes clear when Milchick approaches Mark’s ‘outie’ to persuade him to return to Lumon. He suggests a pay raise and discusses Mark’s personal struggles, particularly those related to Gemma, in an attempt to appeal to his emotional well-being, essentially tailoring his pitch to Mark’s psychological state.

Talk about Milchick’s new swag. Whose idea was it that he would ride a motorcycle and wear a leather jacket?

The concept revolves around the creative minds of Ben Stiller and Dan Erickson. For over two decades, Ben was a motorcycle rider, and he envisioned Milchick as an incredibly cool character. This depiction of Milchick’s travel style differs significantly from our usual expectations. By portraying him as having a rebellious streak and a wild side, they add an element of mystery, inviting the audience to unravel the enigma that is Milchick’s true identity.

Did you have to learn how to ride a motorcycle for the show?

Initially, I struggled with mastering motorcycle riding. On my initial attempt, I unfortunately tumbled off the bike not once, but twice during a single session. Quite an exciting experience, you might say! Just as I was eager for another try after my second fall, our stunt coordinator declared, “That’s enough for today.” Despite my eagerness to get back on the bike, they prioritized my safety above all else.

Well, you pulled it off on screen.

I appreciate that. I got my permit and everything.

Is this something that you’re going to take with you or leave on set?

Should I keep riding? I’m not sure. Kudos to those who are motorcycle enthusiasts, but I’m unsure if that lifestyle suits me.

How much have you been told about Milchick’s backstory, and how much do you envision for yourself?

As for my character portrayals, I enjoy developing their background stories. Ben and Dan have engaged me in discussions about these backstories, and I share my ideas with them. However, they don’t necessarily confirm whether I’m on the right track. This process, particularly during Season 1, has been a form of improvisation, as I might conceive an idea and then find that the script presents something completely different upon arrival at set.

Interesting! So you’ve come to Ben and Dan with ideas about Milchick, and they don’t tell you whether they’re on the same page?

They won’t communicate if I’m distant, but they’ll guide me. This indicates a harmonious working environment. With minimal information provided for crafting a character, I’ve managed to uncover some aspects that catch their attention. Whether these are accurate or they wish to maintain this direction remains uncertain. However, it seems to reflect the collaborative creative process we share – as what I envision and portray on screen aligns with the vision they want to pursue.

How do you view Milchick’s ambitions? What are his goals?

It seems to me that he’s exceptionally driven and career-focused. He strives for the highest positions within a company, always ready to seize opportunities when they arise. This behavior was evident with Milchick, as he moved into Cobel’s position in Season 1 after Helly’s suicide attempt. Although we don’t definitively know if Milchick informed the board about this incident, it’s clear that he eventually took over Cobel’s role.

Ooh. Interesting.

In Season 2, there’s an instance reminiscent of Edgar Allan Poe’s “Tell-Tale Heart” where his computer greets Ms. Cobel instead of him. He demands an instant screen change, repeating this action multiple times. This character is ambitious enough to scale the corporate ladder, but he’s not a cold-hearted or conscience-less individual.

Do you view him as a villain?

I must admit, I find him quite intricate. The situations surrounding him are convoluted, and as the story progresses, I’m confident that viewers will gradually unravel some of his complexity.

What was it like working with Sarah Bock, and how does the Ms. Huang character shake up the dynamic at Lumon?

Sarah is exceptional; she’s an exceptionally talented actor, quite intelligent, and she excels at Wordle in a manner that stands out. Unlike Mr. Huang, who doesn’t seem to have as warm feelings for Ms. Huang as I do about Sarah, there’s something to be acknowledged when someone can be effortlessly replaced by a child. Thus, it appears that Mr. Huang harbors some resentment. Since they are both part of the same fellowship, and he now has to oversee her work, she manages to intrude on his personal matters. This doesn’t sit well with him.

Both Dan Erickson and Ben Stiller have said that they have an end point in mind for the series, and that there are outlines for Season 3. How much are the actors clued into the trajectory of the story? Do you know anything beyond Season 2?

I’m completely clueless, but ready to learn. It strikes me as quite intelligent that they have a clear goal in sight. That aspect is crucial.

Season 3 has not been officially greenlit, but have they started putting you on hold for filming?

I’ve been so engrossed in Season 2 that I haven’t had a chance to form an opinion on the topic yet. I’m eager to learn more, but for now, I’m afraid I can’t contribute anything.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

2025-01-25 01:17