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Severance is an Apple TV+ series that is based on the plight of Lumon Industries' employees. The characters undergo a program called "severance," leaving them unaware of their life outside work. In the program, they are required to surrender their outer memories and work mindlessly for their company. This is until an employee escapes their program and disrupts the illusion.
Apple dropped the second season of Severance on January 17, 2025, and new episodes will be coming out every week on Friday at 3 am ET on Apple TV+. The following is a compilation of some of the best characters in the show.
Disclaimer: The following list is based purely on the author's opinion.
Mark, Petey, Helly, and two other characters elevate the story in Severance
1) Mark Scout (Adam Scott)
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In Severance, Adam Scott plays the protagonist, Mark, who is stoic and seemingly in emotional turmoil inside and outside his workplace. From the first episode, the "innie" workplace, Mark is shown to have rebellious traits and a penchant for risk-taking. The version of Mark outside of this uses work as a distraction to steer away from the grief of losing his wife.
His defiance and leadership begin to shine as both of his versions begin to overlap while uncovering the truth about his workplace. Soon, he asserts himself and helps his coworkers question their existence and try to seek freedom from Lumon Industries.
2) Helly Riggs (Britt Lower)
Helly Riggs, one of the standout characters in Severance, is the recruit who attempts to escape repeatedly and rejects her severed existence. She is resolute in trying to shatter the shell of her professional persona and is an intense character. Yet, she retains her vulnerability despite her resistance against Lumon Industries.
Her inner and outer versions contrast each other as the outer Helly is closely related to the Lumon family and approves of the severance program. Her outer self dismisses the suffering of Lumon's employees under their program. The boldness of her inner self inspires a wave of dissent against her workplace.
3) Dylan George (Zach Cherry)
Dylan is a loyal employee at Lumon Industries and is proud of the incentives and rewards he receives at the workplace. His comedic timing and sarcasm provide moments of relief in the tense atmosphere created inside the Lumon office. His character is appealing because his loyalty extends to all his coworkers.
He develops a purpose to understand his severed existence from his outer self as he finds secrets about his outer life, particularly that he has a child. This revelation deeply affects the once loyal employee as he understands the deep cracks in Lumon's system. He fights, protects his coworkers, and is faced with moments of sacrifice in the pursuit of truth.
4) Irving Bailiff (John Turturro)
One of the most interesting characters in the show, Irving, is a senior employee. Just like Dylan, he is loyal to Lumon to the point where he is seen quoting the rules, rituals, and company policies as a moral compass for his peers. Before his disillusionment, he truly believes in the company's mission and duties.
Dark paint haunts his visions as he is severed from his inner self. His paintings also reflect a deeper connection with his employer and inner self. Irving's transformation throughout the series parallels the narrative of breaking free from control, which is why his character is one of the best in the series.
5) Peter Kilmer (Yul Vazquez)
Peter Kilmer, aka Petey, is a former Lumon employee who has successfully figured out how to reintegrate his severed memories from his inner self to his outer self. This comes at a great cost, as the reintegration means he is a rebel against Lumon and on their radar. He isn't a central character in Severance, but his close bond with Mark is crucial to the storyline.
Peter's inner and outer memories merge due to "reintegration sickness," which is characterized by hallucinations and lapses in his memory. Despite the suffering, he persists in exposing the lies and abuse of Lumon Industries, which gives him a special place in the audience's heart. His end is ultimately tragic and serves as a reminder of what happens when an employee goes against Lumon.
Interested viewers can watch Severance season 2 on Apple TV+.
