Severanceis everybody’s latest Apple TV+ obsession. Instantlyrenewed for a second season, the show is masterfully guided by its mysterious storyline, sharp writing, and all-star cast. Directed by Ben Stiller, the drama features Adam Scott and Patricia Arquette as lead actors and producers, as well as Dichen Lachman, Christopher Walken, and Britt Lower in major roles.
As one would expect, this cast didn’t magically come together by itself. The Prime Emmy Award-winning casting director Rachel Tenner took on the challenge, having previously led the casting teams forFargo,Upload, andNetflix’s most-watched movie Red Notice. Tenner has been a longtime collaborator with Ben Stiller, having first met him on set ofThe Secret Life of Walter Mitty. She told us that working with him is a “no brainer” and complimented his “great taste.“Game Ranthad the opportunity to ask the skilled creative a few questions about pulling together the cast ofSeverance.
Related:Severance Episodes 1 And 2 Review
On the most challenging character to cast:
It was Ms. Casey. I mean, they’re all a lot of work. There’s work that goes into each one of them [the characters], but Ms. Casey felt the most elusive to me. Tonally, she was the most complicated. I wavered in and out of when I thought I had it and when I thought Ididn’thave it. Then Dichen came in and she embodied all the pieces that we needed. That was a really big win.
On casting Mark and Helly:
Well, for Mark, Adam is someone that Ben had already talked to. I don’t know if I have the story exactly right, but I think they had talked about the project when it first came to Ben through Red Hour Productions, and from Jackie Cohn [EP] and Dan Erickson [creator]. There was an early discussion, and then it went dormant for so long because they were developing the show. Adam can do it all right. He’s so complicated, I guess that’s the best way to put it.
At any given moment, he can be vulnerable he can be sarcastic, he can be warm and inviting, he can be sad or heartbroken. Every choice he makes, I 100% buy it. That’s really what you need in this character because there’s so much happening in his life, even though it doesn’t feel like it. Helly is also a bit of everything. So, you want someone who’s super well-rounded. She is such a fighter. We did a lot of auditions where people only chose one badge and missed the flip side of her - the more vulnerable pieces and the crushing reality of her journey.
On chemistry reads with Adam Scott and Patricia Arquette:
We didn’t really do chemistry reads on this. You don’t have to with Adam Scott and Patricia. These are people who have giant bodies of work. I don’t think you need to feel that out. Normally, the chemistry testing would be with Helly and Mark. When Adam was available, he’d come to our callbacks and read with people for things, but we didn’t do any formal chemistry reads. They are very busy working actors, and we could just tell that it would work
Next:7 Sci-Fi Series To Watch If You Loved Severance
