Ben Stiller & Adam Scott Discuss the Mind-Binding Hit Series SEVERANCE

A Q&A with executive producer/director Ben Stiller & actor/producer Adam Scott of SEVERANCE. Moderated by Jenelle Riley, Variety.
Watch Past Q&A's:
/ sagaftrafoundation
Follow the SAG-AFTRA Foundation on social media:
Instagram: / sagaftrafound
Facebook: / sagaftrafoundation
Twitter: / sagaftrafound
The SAG-AFTRA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing the most comprehensive, educational and state-of-the-art resources to SAG-AFTRA members. The Foundation believes that the contributions made to our culture by performing artists are not only valuable, but essential.
The SAG-AFTRA Foundation relies entirely on donations to provide emergency assistance and free educational programs to SAG-AFTRA artists. This conversation is made possible thanks to the generosity of our supporters.
During the pandemic, the Foundation has given over $7 million in disaster relief to more than 7,500 performers. If you are a SAG-AFTRA artist and need help, please ask. And, if you can help, please give at: sagaftra.foundation/donate.
All donations are tax-deductible.

[@sebbvell3426]

Britt lower as Helly and Zach cherry as Dylan killed it in this show too

[@CameronGuay]

I completely agree, john tuturro was amazing also

[@CrystalRedTintcoat]

100%. Loved looking at Helly’s hair juxtaposed to that green carpeting. Nicely done.

[@exzisd]

Zach Cherry deserves more recognition for his role. He put just the right amount of levity to contrast the tensity of season 1 without making it a total comedy.

[@lynnhettrick7588]

I love Severance! By the season finale, I was on the edge of my seat! When Mark said the wrong name, I yelled, "Oh no!" Everyone was excellent in this. I can't wait for S2!

[@lanaserene5685]

Severance is one of my favorite shows. I looked forward to each episode, was fully engaged, and loved the whole cast. So many to root for, and care about which always brings a viewer back. I appreciated the series didn't keep the viewers in the dark we were allowed to see the secrets as each episode went along. Was a show that seemed to respect its audience.

[@datdudeinred]

Then you should watch the expanse next.

[@__mads__]

Until something even better is created, Severance is definitely my favorite show. Ever.

[@Corporations8MyBaby]

Severance has taken the #1 spot for me in terms of best TV show experience. Knocking off Mad Men, Good Place, Good Wife, Star Trek, Twilight Zone, Breaking Bad... Dead Like Me... Severance is the best of all at this point.

[@benrosn8154]

Best show ever I love it so much they are killing it. They are the best.

[@kippy7883]

Love how Ben says at the end it’s all about the characters, even if the puzzle box is fun too, because man I really don’t want them to get bogged down in giving the audience crazy plot twists.

[@andrewdeen1]

that's how westworld collapsed in on itself

[@amyvanlowthian2112]

Such an original great series..Adam Scott is perfect in the role indeed. Look forward to season 2

[@SAGAFTRAFoundation]

Thank you for watching, Amy!

[@amyvanlowthian2112]

@@SAGAFTRAFoundation Thankyou i love watching your interviews..always interesting & fun .

[@L3onOfKings]

It is unique in many ways, however it was surely inspired by The Prisoner (1967). It's not as original as you might think.

[@angelharper5580]

The show concept is excellent and the cast made the script come alive

[@catha.j.stuart2200]

Very interesting talk about a great show. The interviewer did a great job.

[@aynrandish9106]

It is amazing that creative people can work on something for years with no feedback and keep going because they know they are on to something great.

[@dit9241]

Wonderful to hear them speak about the show. Dan Erickson had a brilliant idea that got executed brilliantly. One of my professors was in class with him at Tisch either for their BFA or MFA and told us that he was cooking up the idea for Severance all the way back then ten or so years ago. Must be so gratifying to see that idea brought to life in such a technically stunning way all these years later.

[@circuittoys]

Just binge watched Severance this week... WOW! One of the BEST TV series I've seen since Breaking Bad and Mr Robot. Glad to learn that Season II has been conformed!

[@janetbeatrice9505]

I agree with the host about Britt Lower (18 minutes in). I'd never seen her before, but she's fantastic in this!

[@montenegroafro4454]

Watching Severance, I just kept thinking The Office meets The Truman Show.

[@TimSchmidt_art]

Mind-binding AND mind-bending...they both work.

[@etherealradar]

Love this show Adam and all the others play this so well, intriguing, very well written. Balanced, released at the perfect time.

[@RayiderDx]

I'm looking forward to season 2

[@charlesknowlton7198]

The show is a long unravelling mystery that takes it's time giving up it's secrets. I can't wait for another season (I hope there will be a season 2).

[@Val_Halla777]

I’m late to the game …i just finished it. Once I started I couldn’t stop. Huge props! Really well done for everyone involved. Can’t wait for more. Cheers.

[@rickspringfield9394]

Those are the kind eyes that Milcheck was looking for.

[@kmcq692]

So moving to hear from Adam about the meaning of this role. Thanks to SAG-AFTA and this interviewer for the questions.

[@dinglbarry1275]

I really dig the actor who plays Helly as well and this also was my first experience with her as well.

[@AnalogOcean]

This show!!!

[@beckyleonardis6331]

Love Severance! It's one of the best shows, I ever saw! Adam and Ben make a great team! There's going to be a lot of exciting things happening on Season 2! Can't wait!

[@twelvechimesitsmidnightpod]

Their enthusiasm about the story and making the series is so infectious!

[@TimGildersleeve]

Ah! My favorite, Jenelle! Miss you.

[@lynnhettrick7588]

The goats!! So many questions just about the goats!

[@WorldsWorstBoy]

As a full time office worker I absolutely connected with this show.

[@kmcq692]

And 41:46, awwww, thanks for thanking your audience. It truly had gripped me enough that I was telling everyone about it in February. Felt special.

[@ellen4956]

As I write this, four months after this great interview, I am still caught up in the mystery of it all, that desire to seek out answers I don't really want to know yet. I find myself still thinking about possible meanings of the intricate details in each episode. It's an intense story, perfectly executed. Thank you so much for your great work - we are very excited for season two!

[@ashleyc7251]

I heard about the show from the interview with Adam and Seth Meyers weeks after it came out. I decided to check out the trailer and ended up watching the whole season in a week. Can’t wait to see season 2! Thank you for putting out such a great show!

[@amadan34]

Just finished it . Amazing Show Bravo

[@Sandra-hc4vo]

Loved this show!

[@dantoma512]

I saw a few articles online that mention some new actors that will join the cast in S2. I'm so psyched for the next season.

[@HoopleBogart]

Someone get Ben a new cameraman lol. And yeah Severance is easily one of the most original, funny, and thought provoking shows that exists.

[@scienceByV]

So much fun interview

[@francinewolf4949]

It was a great collaboration between the two of them and so enjoyable to watch!

[@flala2261]

I love that *Office Space* was mentioned such a good funny movie

[@htwa]

awesome

[@elchasai]

The wait for Season 2 is killing me, just finished rewatching this show, and it is so brilliant on so many levels; the one character I'd really like to know more about is Seth Milchick, what is this guys motivation for doing what he does. Tramell Tillman is fantastic in this show and slightly unsung.

[@MaryLinnCrouse]

Best thriller/"puzzlebox" I've ever experienced -- film or TV! Brilliant writing, direction, acting, design and cinematography -- all of it captivating.

[@mattdonlan7745]

My favorite shows are the kind where you're dropped in, just like Helly, and you learn as you go. There's nothing worse than an opening narration that gives away the secret. This show gave me something to chew on every week and I couldn't wait for the next episode, only to be left with more questions. I'm on my 4th playthrough and I'm still left with even more question. Stay strong on the strike, you're worth every penny!

[@timbeaton5045]

Adam Scott is perfect in this, indeed. But I also loved his character in The Good Place. He does seem to pick interesting roles.

[@timbeaton5045]

PS I grew up with The Prisoner (The original Patrick McGoohan version, I mean) and the Avengers (the John Steed TV series) which both echo in a strange way with this show.

[@L3onOfKings]

@@timbeaton5045 It is most definitely inspired by The Prisoner, I agree.

[@IamAcerbus]

What!? Adam Scott was in Dead at 21?! I got to rewatch that show!

[@dinglbarry1275]

Adam Scott's apparently been in a bunch of things over the years, but for whatever reason this is the first time I've seen him since Six Feet Under, It's kind of ironic because in this he's playing the dating game and going through the awkwardness of dating as well, but obviously this is a much more robust role.

[@presentfuture7563]

David's almost-boyfriend Ben! I saw him in a few things after that, like a little indie movie called Passenger Side. Never really got into Parks and Rec. He was funny in The Overnight. So happy he's finally lead in a top-tier show.

[@janetbeatrice9505]

He was in six feet under? I've actually seen him in quite a few things but I lean towards comedy I'm so everything I've seen him in has been comedy.

[@janetbeatrice9505]

@@presentfuture7563 Funny, he was Ben in parks and rec also.

[@nybor49]

@@presentfuture7563 I also haven't ever gotten into Parks and Rec (that could change though), but once I saw Adam Scott in Big Little Lies, I really hoped that would open up the door for him to play a character like Mark, and I'm so glad it did. I honestly felt his performance in Big Little Lies was underrated and overlooked during those awards seasons, so I'm really glad he's getting much deserved acclaim for Severance, where his performance is even better. Anyone who's enjoying him in Severance should go back and watch Big Little Lies after if they haven't seen it.

[@dinglbarry1275]

@@janetbeatrice9505 - from what I can tell Parks and Rec wouldn't be my thing. I struggle with slap stick even when it's clever and typically when I find out a show series uses the 22 minute format it's a deal breaker. I just recently saw him on the show The Good Place (also 22 minute format)... he did great, but that's a horrifically awful show. The premise has the potential of a show like Severance, but that's the perfect example of a good idea getting into the wrong hands. It uses the 1980's Network tv format structure... it's essentially a laugh track show without a laugh track, where every other line is an attempt at humor (even when the line is horrendoulsy unfunny and most lines are). I would love to see that show made into a real show though.

[@dinglbarry1275]

I came to the show late, but I just finished it and this is the most I've enjoyed a show in a while. Maybe every 3 years or so I come across a great show and this is definitely that. I thought I had hit a dead end in terms of their being any shows left that are great then I came across this one. I'm really picky though. This show and Succession are the only two shows currently going that I put in the great category (WestWorld to a lessor extent)... but I was enthralled through the entire 9 episodes and it leaves you wanting so much more, which is good but I sucks in that want to watch the second season now. The cool thing is there's a lot of things to ponder and theorize about, so that's fun.

[@deeprod2592]

you should watch For All Mankind and Foundation, everything is on TV+ it's dope (both are sci-fi)

[@sleve_mcdichael]

What are some of your other triennial great shows? This is the first show I've really enjoyed in ages

[@itayschool4544]

My favourite show since Arcane

[@stu1189]

What are the other shows??

[@shoWbitz]

2:10 Melrose Place meets Logan's Run 😂🤣👏

[@tomlacey1307]

Where is Ben streaming from? Looks like a beautiful farmhouse

[@captaincomrade8056]

Adam talks just like Mark. He's perfect for this role

[@JD-ku3xt]

Bitt Lower was already in Man Seeking Woman as the sister. She had her own episode where she dates a robot. It was great.

[@JD-ku3xt]

Also in a Yeah yeah Yeahs video as a wolf?

[@raquel_sza]

the best made show i’ve ever seen

[@THEARCHITECT801]

I believe there’s going to be a major reveal that the elevator is not the only place one transitions. It’s clear that the outies still function while innies are working (for ex. when the team transitioned back to themselves their outies were all in the middle of doing something already) it’s not like they were at Lumon waiting to leave work. My only question is what that reveal will be? I’ve seen multiple theories regarding clones. It’s also clear that the outies have to be gone sometimes, because people such as Mark’s relatives are well aware that he’s severed. So many questions, haha. Alright, my novel is done… for now.

[@adamcummings20]

They're not doing that, it's just from the innie perspective. When they wake themselves up, for example, InMark goes into elevator, OutMark comes out and goes to the party, InMark wakes up at party. So from the Innie perspective, they went in the elevator and instantly appeared outside somewhere, but time had actually passed. No double-bodied needed

[@WhyTheHorseface]

I watched all nine episodes and didn’t see a single Rocky Mountain oyster.

[@thunderousapplause]

They get my vote. Just watched. Amazing series. A-maz-ing. All elements are perfection. allusions to Scientology and Mormonism, imo. High control groups…I mean, Amazon drivers gotta pee in bottles irl, so. p.s. I got my SAG card decades ago when I bought in frm Actors Equity (can people still do that?). pps Chris Walken was the first movie star I ever had a crush on.

[@matthewharris-levesque5809]

*What if the Coen Brothers got their hands on a script written by Charlie Kaufman about the ultimate expression of work/life balance?* SEVERANCE

[@abc-pn2eb]

elevator pitch

[@L3onOfKings]

This show is heavily influenced by The Prisoner (1967) right? It's just in a different setting. It feels a bit the same, just modernised. I'm not downplaying this show at all, I loved Severance. It's simply not as unique as most people think it is. The writer probably watched The Prisoner and created a new environment for the actors to explore similar ideas and Americanised it.

[@robertsyrett1992]

Did you mean "mind-bending?"

[@quantumperception]

Adam said he would never forget working with those great actors- really dude? Is that a joke? Given the subject of the show, maybe a poor choice of words? Or maybe his innie took over, and this is him trying to secretly communicate that he will indeed forget them- or at least a version of him will. Lol.