Severance: Who is Asal Reghabi? Character role explored

The dystopian thriller series Severance, created by Dan Erickson, premiered its first season on February 18, 2022, on Apple TV+. The award-winning series returned for a second season on January 17, 2025. It features an ensemble cast comprising Adam Scott, Britt Lower, Zach Cherry, Tramell Tillman, Patricia Arquette, Christopher Walken, and John Turturro, among others.

Moreover, Karen Aldridge plays the recurring role of Asal Reghabi in the series. She is a surgeon who created the severance chip for Lumon. But, she goes rogue and helps reintegrate severed employees like Petey in season 1 and Mark in season 2.

The official synopsis of the show's second season, as per Apple TV, reads:

"Mark and his friends learn the dire consequences of trifling with the severance barrier, leading them further down a path of woe."

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Exploring Asal Reghabi's character arc on Severance

Asal Reghabi first appeared in episode 6 of season 1 of the hit Apple TV+ series. She introduces herself to Mark as the surgeon who installed his severance chip and reintegrated his innie's best friend, Petey. However, the procedure didn't go as planned as Petey suffered from reintegration sickness and eventually died while hiding in Mark's basement.

During her brief meeting with Mark in episode 7, the duo is attacked by Lumon's security chief, Doug Graner, who was keeping a close watch on Mark. Reghabi swiftly kills him and hands over Graner's access card to Mark, asking him to take it to his innie.

The access card proves useful while activating the overtime contingency wherein the innies of Mark, Helly, and Irving briefly awaken in their respective outies' bodies.

Reghabi appears again in Severance season 2 episode 3, titled Who Is Alive? She meets Mark as he is trying to send his innie a secret message. After learning that his innie screamed, "She is alive" during the overtime contingency at the end of season 1, the outie Mark grapples with the possibility that his supposed deceased wife Gemma could be alive.

Due to Lumon's strict policy, he cannot directly communicate with his innie. Thus, he devises a plan to ask his innie by burning the message, "Who Is Alive?" in his retina, hoping the latter will see it while switching in the elevator at Lumon.

However, Reghabi informs him that all outside messages are erased in the elevator. She confirms that Gemma is alive inside Lumon and convinces him to get reintegrated, saying it is the only way to find and rescue her. Although Mark is skeptical about the procedure since it led to Petey's death, he agrees to get reintegrated for the sake of his wife.

At the end of episode 3, Reghabi successfully reverses the severance procedure and reintegrates Mark's memories from his work and personal life.

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Everything to know about the actress Karen Aldridge

The American actress Karen Aldridge began her acting career in 2004 with the film Sandcastles, written and directed by the Polish-born filmmaker Filip Jan Rymsza. Her other film credits include The Good Mother and The Creator, both released in 2023.

From 2011 to 2012, she played Dr. Ella Harris in the political thriller series Boss, starring Kelsey Grammer in the lead role. She also starred as Dr. Kendra Perrington in Chicago Fire, Zelmare Roulette in Fargo, and Adele Kipling in The Get Down. Karen also had guest roles in Blue Bloods and Unforgettable as well as recurring roles in Chicago Med and 61st Street.

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Viewers can watch all episodes of Severance seasons 1 and 2 on Apple TV+.