Severance Actor Michael Chernus Reflects on the Show’s Evolution Beyond Niche Appeal

Trying to get solid information about “Severance” Season 3 is like trying to squeeze blood from a stone. However, Michael Chernus discussed the show. In addition, he plays the hilariously pompous Ricken Hale in Apple TV+’s mind-bending thriller. He sat down to talk about the show’s meteoric rise and what fans can expect moving forward. Spoiler alert: he doesn’t know much more than we do, but at least he’s honest about it.

Severance: The Phenomenon Nobody Saw Coming

When “Severance” first dropped in 2022, it seemed destined to be one of those cerebral sci-fi shows that would attract a dedicated but niche following. You know the type – brilliant writing, stellar performances, but maybe too weird for mainstream audiences. Boy, were we all wrong.

Chernus admitted in a recent interview with Bleeding Cool, saying, “I knew we were making something special with Severance. I knew it was smart and unique, but I thought it would have maybe this niche, nerdy audience of sci-fi fans. I had no idea it would have the global appeal that it has now, and to me, that has been the most wonderful surprise. It reaches across all kinds of demographics, and it appeals to everybody.”

The show’s success has been nothing short of extraordinary. What started as a quirky workplace thriller about employees who undergo a procedure to separate their work and personal memories has become a cultural phenomenon that spawned countless theories, memes, and water cooler conversations.

What Makes Severance So Addictive?

The genius of “Severance” lies in its ability to take a completely absurd premise and ground it in genuine human emotion and workplace horror that feels disturbingly familiar. Creator Dan Erickson crafted something that works on multiple levels – it’s a sci-fi thriller, a workplace satire, an existential nightmare, and a meditation on work-life balance all rolled into one twisted package.

The show follows employees at Lumon Industries who voluntarily undergo a “severance” procedure that creates two separate versions of themselves: their work self (innie) and their outside self (outie). Neither version has access to the other’s memories, creating a psychological prison that’s both fascinating and terrifying.

Adam Scott’s Mark Scout serves as our entry point into this world, but it’s the supporting characters like Chernus’s Ricken that provide much of the show’s dark humor and emotional weight. Ricken, Mark’s brother-in-law, is a self-help author who wrote the ironically titled “The You You Are,” – a book that becomes unexpectedly important to the severed employees.

Anyone who’s ever worked in a corporate environment will recognize the passive-aggressive interactions, the bizarre team-building exercises, and the cult-like devotion to company policies that make no sense. Despite the show being officially renewed, details remain as locked down as a Lumon Industries security protocol. “I know it’s happening, but I don’t know anything. And that’s not me being like, ‘oh, I have an NDA!‘” Chernus told The Post with refreshing honesty. “I don’t know.”

The Fan Theory Rabbit Hole

If you’ve spent any time on Reddit or social media discussing Severance, you know the fan theories are absolutely wild. From speculation about Lumon’s true purpose to debates about which characters might be secretly related to the mysterious Eagan family, fans have turned theory-crafting into an art form. Chernus is fully aware of this phenomenon and embraces it wholeheartedly.

He told the New York Post, “I love all of the fan theories. I’m obsessed with them.” “We all read them. So, fans out there, if you’re wondering, we’re all on Reddit. We’re watching!” One particularly intriguing theory suggests that Ricken might be a secret member of the Eagan family, especially after Season 2 revealed that current CEO Jame Eagan has fathered some secret children. It’s the kind of twist that would be perfectly at home in the show’s twisted universe, but Chernus isn’t giving anything away.

Part of what elevates “Severance” beyond typical sci-fi fare is its incredible ensemble cast. The show brilliantly mixes established veterans like Scott, John Turturro, Patricia Arquette, and Christopher Walken with rising stars like Emmy winners Britt Lower and Tramell Tillman. 

“Oh man, I love everything about playing Ricken. I think he’s such an incredible character. I love him so much. I love Jen, Adam, our entire wonderful cast, Ben Stiller, and Emmy Award winners Tramell Tillman and Britt Lower,” Chernus gushed about his co-stars. The chemistry between these performers creates a workplace dynamic that feels both otherworldly and unnervingly familiar.

Final Thoughts

What sets “Severance” apart from other workplace comedies or sci-fi thrillers is its uncanny ability to reflect our current relationship with work and technology. The show premiered during a time when remote work, work-life balance, and corporate culture were major topics of discussion, making its themes feel particularly relevant. Chernus believes the fan theories and continued discussion are “a testament to how good the show is that people’s imaginations continue after the season is over, and that they want to invest and talk to other fans.”