Note: This story contains spoilers ahead from “Severance” Season 2, Episode 10.
Before production even started, Dichen Lachman knew filming the finale of “Severance” Season 2 was going to be a challenge. That wasn’t because of her character’s 20+ innies; it was because of the stakes around Gemma’s reunion with her husband, Mark (Adam Scott).
“I always knew what was going to be required in that moment, and it was going to be a lot. The trickiest part, just technically, was burying the the emotions and then — once you go through the threshold — them flowing out,” Lachman told TheWrap.
Lachman and Scott didn’t prepare much prior to the scene. But when they captured it, she could tell. “It was just like, ‘That’s the moment,’ ” she recalled. “[Adam Scott] is such a wonderful scene partner. It’s so much easier to do good work when the person you’re with is also so committed.”
When Outie Mark first lays his eyes on Gemma — the wife he believed was dead — he’s looking at one of her many innies. It’s not until they leave the Cold Harbor room that Gemma switches, turning back into the woman he adores. Though that switch was “emotional” for Lachman, the third major switch she makes in the episode was far easier. When Outie Mark and Gemma ascend to the severed floor, they both switch again, becoming the friendly but far less intimate Innie Mark and Ms. Casey.
“It’s hard to go from zero to 10, but go from 10 to zero is much easier,” Lachman explained. Though the finale centers around Gemma’s escape, the actor behind her said she was excited to play Ms. Casey again.
“There’s something so sweet and innocent about her, and I have a little soft spot in my heart for her. I was happy that she got to have this moment of connection [with Mark],” Lachman said. “She just trusts him and she goes with him because all of Gemma’s innies, they all trust Mark because Gemma is in love with Mark.”
The second season of “Severance” puts Innie Mark in an impossible position. Does he escape Lumon with Gemma, his outie’s wife and the woman he’s spent this season trying to save? Or does he stay at the workplace he knows wants to kill him with Helly (Britt Lower), the woman he loves? Ultimately, Innie Mark chooses to stay with Helly after safely leading Gemma outside of the Lumon building. For her part, Lachman had a feeling the finale would come down to a choice between Gemma and Helly. She just hopes that viewers hold some compassion for her character.
“It’s such a conundrum for the fans because they’ve spent so much time falling in love with the people on the severed floor and this relationship. They’ve wanted it to thrive. I had a much shorter time to make people care about Gemma and Mark,” Lachman said. “Hopefully, it landed and people feel torn, like they don’t know who they want to be happy. Maybe a timesharing thing could work.”
“Severance” Seasons 1 and 2 are now streaming on Apple TV+.
