It has been nearly three years since Severance, the hit Apple TV+ series, last appeared on our screens. This one-of-a-kind science fiction and psychological thriller has captured the attention of many. The show tells the story of Mark Scout, an employee at the mysterious Lumon Industries.
Severance revolves around a strange procedure that splits a person’s memories, creating two different selves: the work persona and the home persona. The work persona, known as the “Innie,” only exists at work, while the home persona, known as the “Outie,” has no memory of what happens at work.
The series, which started in 2022, reveals a dark and mysterious world at Lumon. The mystery deepens with every episode, and the first season ended on a shocking cliffhanger that left fans eagerly waiting for the next chapter.
Now, with Season 2 set to premiere on January 17, the wait is finally over. In the meantime, let’s take a look at the returning cast and some new characters that will join Severance in its second season.
Returning Cast and Characters
Mark Scout (Adam Scott)
Mark Scout is the main character of Severance. He was once a history professor, but after the tragic death of his wife, he chose to undergo the severance procedure.
Deep in his grief, Mark decided that living without memories of his workday would be the best way to cope with his pain. His sister, Devon, and brother-in-law, Ricken, disapprove of his decision, but Mark believes it’s the best option for him.
At Lumon, Mark’s work persona, or Innie, is the head of the Macrodata Refinement department. He is a middle manager who is often overwhelmed and stressed, trying to manage his small team as strange events continue to happen at Lumon.
Adam Scott plays Mark Scout. Scott is best known for his roles in Parks and Recreation and Party Down. In 2024, he appeared in Madame Web and the series Loot. He has some exciting projects ahead, including the thriller Double Booked (which he is also directing) and the comedy-drama The Saviors.
Dylan George (Zach Cherry)
Dylan George is another key character in the Macrodata Refinement department. He is obsessed with the company perks and often wonders what his Outie does outside of work.
Dylan is known for his witty one-liners and his role as the “life of the party.” He cares deeply for his coworkers and always goes out of his way to look after them. However, he is also very suspicious of the Optics and Design department at Lumon.
Zach Cherry plays Dylan George. Cherry is known for his role as Wolf in the animated series Duncanville. He also hosted The Great American Baking Show in 2023 and returned for its seventh season in 2024. His upcoming projects include the comedy short The Dinner Plan and the comedy All Night Wrong.
Helly Riggs (Britt Lower)
Helly Riggs is the newest member of the Macrodata Refinement department. She doesn’t fit into Lumon’s strict and controlling environment. From the start, Helly has been rebellious, refusing to accept her fate as an Innie.
She is determined to make her Outie understand what is happening and end her miserable existence at Lumon. As she becomes more desperate to get her Outie to see things her way, Mark becomes concerned for her safety.
Britt Lower plays Helly Riggs. Lower has appeared in the series High Maintenance as Lee and Man Seeking Woman as Liz. She is also working on an upcoming project, the ABC drama movie Until the Wedding.
Seth Milchick (Tramell Tillman)
Seth Milchick is the supervisor of the severed employees. He plays the role of a babysitter to the Innie employees, making sure they follow the rules. Milchick appears calm and collected on the outside, but he can handle any crisis with ease. Whether he is giving friendly advice or overseeing punishments in the dreaded Break Room, Seth is always in control.
Tramell Tillman plays Seth Milchick. Tillman is known for his role in Godfather of Harlem and the animated series Marvel’s Hit-Monkey. In 2024, he will star alongside Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, which is currently in post-production.
Devon Scout-Hale (Jen Tullock)
Devon is Mark’s sister. She is juggling many things in her life, including caring for her grieving brother, raising a child, and being married to Ricken, a man who often confuses her with his odd behavior.
Despite all of these challenges, Devon and Mark share a strong sibling bond, and she is the first person Mark talks to when he realizes Lumon is not what it seems.
Jen Tullock plays Devon Scout-Hale. Tullock starred in The Coop as Iwona and appeared in the dark comedy Spirited alongside Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds. She is also working on a new project called A Tree Fell in the Woods, which is in post-production.
Ms. Casey (Dichen Lachman)
Ms. Casey is a wellness counselor at Lumon who takes care of the severed employees. Her personality is strange and robotic, and it is unclear how much of her former self remains within her Innie persona. Ms. Casey’s background and how she ended up at Lumon is still mysterious, but fans are excited to learn more in the upcoming season.
Dichen Lachman plays Ms. Casey. Lachman is best known for her roles in Jurassic World Dominion and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. She will appear in the comedy-horror film Vampires of the Velvet Lounge in the near future.
Ricken Hale (Michael Chernus)
Ricken is Devon’s husband and Mark’s brother-in-law. He is an author, motivational speaker, and self-proclaimed philosopher. While Mark tolerates Ricken’s eccentric behavior, Innie Mark sees him as a source of wisdom. However, it remains unclear whether Ricken is as good-natured as he appears or if he is hiding darker secrets.
Michael Chernus plays Ricken Hale. Chernus is known for his roles in Patriot and Dead Ringers. In 2024, he appeared in the biographical drama A Complete Unknown starring Timothée Chalamet. He will soon appear as the title character in John Wayne Gacy, a crime-drama currently in production.
Irving Bailiff (John Turturro)
Irving Bailiff is the most senior member of the Macrodata Refinement department. He prides himself on being a model employee and follows Lumon’s strict rules to the letter. However, Irving starts to question his loyalty to Lumon after meeting Burt, the head of Optics and Design. Irving’s character is rigid, but his devotion to Lumon’s rules begins to waver as the story unfolds.
John Turturro plays Irving Bailiff. Turturro is a well-known actor with a career spanning over one hundred projects. He is famous for his roles in Fading Gigolo, Barton Fink, and Quiz Show. His upcoming projects include the drama The Thing That Hurts and the adventure-comedy Wilder & Me.
Burt Goodman (Christopher Walken)
Burt Goodman is the head of the Optics and Design department at Lumon. He is also a severed employee, and like everyone else in Lumon, he is surrounded by mystery.
Burt’s department is responsible for creating strange art pieces and products, such as watering cans, but no one knows why. Burt’s relationship with Irving grows as the series progresses, adding more complexity to their characters.
Christopher Walken plays Burt Goodman. Walken is an award-winning actor with a career that spans over seventy years. He has appeared in The Deer Hunter, Catch Me If You Can, and The Prophecy. Recently, he starred in Dune: Part Two and The Outlaws. Walken will appear in the comedy-musical That’s Amore! alongside John Travolta and Katherine Heigl.
Harmony Cobel (Patricia Arquette)
Harmony Cobel is the terrifying manager of Lumon’s severed floor. She rules the employees with an iron fist, using fear and intimidation to maintain control. Cobel has an almost religious devotion to the founders of Lumon, the Eagans.
As the first season of Severance progressed, the mystery of Cobel’s role at Lumon deepened. Her obsession with Mark’s life on the outside continues to be a topic of intrigue for viewers.
Patricia Arquette plays Harmony Cobel. Arquette has over forty years of experience in the industry. She made her film debut in Nightmare on Elm Street and has starred in many successful films, including True Romance and Boyhood. Her upcoming project is the comedy-horror They Will Kill You, which is currently in production.
New Cast Members in Severance Season 2
Season 2 of Severance will introduce several new characters to the mysterious world of Lumon. Some of the new faces include:
- Alia Shawkat (Arrested Development) as Gwendolyn Y.
- Bob Balaban (Gosford Park) as Mark W.
- Stefano Carannante (Hey Joe) as Dario R.
- Gwendoline Christie (Game of Thrones) as Lorne, an employee of Lumon.
- Olafur Darri Olafsson (Somebody Somewhere) as Mr. Drummond, a Lumon higher-up.
- Merritt Wever (Marriage Story) as Dylan’s wife, Gretchen.
- John Noble (The Lord of the Rings) as Burt’s husband, Fields.
- Sarah Bock (Bruiser) as Miss Huang, the new Deputy Manager of the severed employees.
- Robby Benson (Beauty and the Beast) in an unknown role.
These new characters are sure to add more mystery and excitement to the series as Severance continues to keep its audience on the edge of their seats.