Apple TV+ has another hit on its hands with the gripping sci-fi psychological thriller Severance. Thanks to the star-studded cast that includes Adam Scott, Patricia Arquette, John Turturro, and Christopher Walken along with the compelling story and direction by Ben Stiller, viewers can't get enough.
Each character has their quirks and makes fans wonder if they are someone worth rooting for, feeling sympathy for, or despising. A lot is going on in the show with theories, questions, and shocking events having fans wondering what will come next. Through it all, however, the main characters manage to keep drawing viewers in.
Ricken
Ricken is sweet and means well, and he seems like a great husband to Devon who truly cares about her and the well-being of their child. But can be sometimes come across as extreme with his beliefs and methods, often talking as though he is speaking gospel instead of having a genuine conversation with someone.
While it's clear that Mark still gets along with his brother-in-law even if they are very different people, and it's Ricken's book that actually might open Mark's eyes to question more about what's going on at work (without him even realizing it's his brother-in-law's book) Ricken isn't a stand-out character.
Milchick
Supervisor on the floor at Lumon that houses the severed workers, Milchick manages all the day-to-day operations. If someone needs to be guided somewhere, he does it. If someone needs to be reprimanded, that's his job. If Harmony – played by Patricia Arquette who has been in some great movies - needs an update, he is the one who provides it.
While it's easy to initially write Milchik off as nothing more than a "yes man" who does what he is told, it does seem at times like he is internally questioning what is going on and if he believes that sometimes, the program takes things too far. Nonetheless, he is, for the most part, at the very least a cog in the wheel of a program that is likely not doing any good for anyone.
Dylan
Dylan provides comic relief, a severed co-worker of Mark's who fans don't know much about. It's unclear why he severed and why he seems so happy to be there unlike the others who seem desperate to leave the mundane existence. However, Dylan is the first character to realize that Lumon has control over innies in the outside world, too. He discovers this when his outie is temporarily severed by Milchick who needs information, and his innie accidentally learns that his outie has a son. This also indicates that there's a lot more than meets the eye to this character.
Dylan appreciates the camaraderie with his co-workers, but he is also quick to believe conspiracies, which may only be fueled by his newfound knowledge about how much control Lumon has over both sides of him.
Irving
Fans love how Irving, played by accomplished actor John Turturro, wants to do things by the book. Yet he can't help the feelings he has for Burt, a severed employee who works in the Optics and Design division. What makes his situation even more confusing is that Irving, as per the severed program, has no idea who he is in real life.
He is one of the more multi-layered characters on the show, and the first one to show having actual personal feelings while on the job. The others, meanwhile, simply sit at a desk to search for numbers for eight hours a day.
Devon
Mark's sister Devon seems to genuinely care about him, ing his decision to become severed even though she doesn't agree with it. She was there for him following the death of his wife and continues to check in on him, making sure he is okay and keeping him involved and a big part of her life.
She is sweet and kind and while her relationship with Ricken seems odd since she isn't as new age as him, they also appear to complement one another. Devon, however, could hold a key to taking down Lumon given her suspicions about the senator's wife and possibly unethical ways the program is potentially being used.
Peter "Petey" Kilmer
Peter "Petey" only had a short-lived role on the show but it was a very impactful one. Mark's old best friend at the office, something happened that caused Petey's brain to un-sever. After being fired from Lumon, he sought out Mark to tell him the truth and suggest that he dig deeper into what was going on.
Even in death, Petey left Mark a secret map behind a picture frame. While Mark at the office doesn't meeting Petey at home, it's clear he can't shake the feeling that there's something he needs to investigate.
Burt
Burt, played by Christopher Walken who has been in some iconic movies, seems focused on just doing his job, working in the Optics and Design division of the company, which appears to involve swapping out and displaying a variety of artwork throughout the building and its long winding white hallways.
He and Irving, who work in different divisions, should never communicate with one another. But after happening upon each other, they develop what appears to be a deep connection with romantic undertones. Despite being deemed suspicious by Dylan, however, Burt remains steadfast in his insistence that he's a genuine person who has genuine feelings for Irving and no desire to hurt anyone in the Macrodata Refinement division.
Ms. Casey
Ms. Casey takes keeping emotion out of her job seriously, as she rarely displays an expression of any kind while she works with her clients. She remains stone-faced as she, as the wellness counselor for employees on the severed floor, helps them work through issues or insecurities.
Somehow, however, she says so much without ever cracking a smile. She is dedicated to her job and while she might not show how she is feeling, focused mainly on the task at hand, the fact she does things like telling Irving where Burt is knowing the two were looking for one another was sweet and showed she cares.
Helly
The reason fans like Helly so much is that she is most relatable to the average person. It's unknown why Helly's "outie" decided to participate in the severance program, but Helly's "innie" is headstrong and wanted out from the moment she arrived.
She resorted to drastic measures to remove herself from the office, eventually being left no choice but to give in and participate. Her reactions to the situation, along with her willingness to continue to investigate with Mark and get to the bottom of what is going on, make her likable, brave, and one of the most interesting characters on the show.
Harmony Cobel/Mrs. Selvig
Harmony is one of the few people on the show who is seemingly living a fake severed life, as ruthless boss Harmony at Lumon in one and Mark's sweet elderly and nosy neighbor Mrs. Selvig in the other.
Mark has no idea that the woman he sees back at home and while at work is one in the same. But it would appear that Harmony is not severed and simply playing a role back home to get information that will help further her motives for the company. She is dark, mysterious, odd, and cruel. Even though Harmony is a primary antagonist on the show, it's tough not to find the character entertaining.
Mark Scout
Audiences love Mark, played by Adam Scott in what could be one of his best roles ever and the way his two selves are so distinct from one another. At home, he's typically depressed, moping around doing whatever he can to get through each night. He spends time with his sister and brother-in-law, interacts with his neighbor, and sometimes goes on dates.
At work, he's much livelier with a take-charge attitude. Viewers understand his mentality, wanting to completely shut off his brain while at work to focus and forget about the sadness he feels from the death of his wife. It's a decision anyone can understand wanting to make when in the deepest moments of sorrow. Mark not only continues to the decision he made but remains a vocal advocate for the Severance program. With that said, fans love that he is finally coming to see that it might be important to learn more about the program beyond its purported purpose.