Adam Scott On Creating the World of Severance

We sat down to chat with Adam Scott about his leading role in the Apple TV+ series Severance. He shared his process of creating two different parts of the same character and the unavoidable baggage that is carried between the two versions of himself. Adam emphasized how important it was for his character go through a series of incremental changes that helped him challenge the hierarchal conditioning of the workplace. With the environment being so observed and protected, everything in the design of the world, down to the placement of a book, had to be intentional since the characters’ lived their whole lives in the office.

It was important for Adam’s character to stay the course and not upsetting the apple cart as a way of escaping pain. Through Severance, Mark could avoid having to move on from his trauma. Emotionally, Adam wanted to tap into the feeling of self loathing and shame for Mark, what he goes through in the series is like a form of punishment to himself. On separating the two worlds, Adam also tried to come up with an instinctual dance for the work version of his character that had no outside influence. Adam also spoke of his respect for Patricia Arquette and her process. He described her character as being about manipulation and control; and it was up to his character to navigate these interactions without being completely dominated.

Watch the full conversation below.

Q&A on the Apple TV+ series Severance with actor Adam Scott. Moderated by Mara Webster, In Creative Company.

Mark leads a team of office workers whose memories have been surgically divided between their work and personal lives; when a mysterious colleague appears outside of work, it begins a journey to discover the truth about their jobs.