Britt Lower shares insights into the challenges and rewards of portraying two versions of the same character—Helly and Helena—in the highly anticipated second season of Severance. Created by Dan Erickson and directed by Ben Stiller and Aoife McArdle, Severance follows employees at Lumon Industries who undergo the “severance” procedure, separating their work and personal memories. Since its debut in 2022, the sci-fi thriller has been one of Apple TV+’s most acclaimed series, led by a star-studded cast including Adam Scott, Zach Cherry, Christopher Walken, and John Turturro. Severance season 2 is set to release January 17.

In an interview with ScreenRant‘s Liam Crowley, Lower delved into the intricate process of differentiating between two identical yet distinct characters. Lower’s character, Helly, is an “innie,” a version of Helena who has no memories outside of her work in the Macrodata Refinement (MDR) division and struggles with the oppressive nature of Lumon. At the end of Severance season 1, her “outie,” Helena, is revealed to be the daughter of the Lumon CEO. Here’s what she had to say:

I want this to kind of be a package that the audience gets to open for themselves and have a relationship to each side of the same person. But as John was alluding to, they sound like different music in my head. I really have empathy for both of their situations.

These are the same person, but both are trapped by the same company. Helena is obviously trapped in a really different way. She’s stuck within this family that she didn’t choose. So it really becomes about kind of this inner critic, this inner child ego versus id nature, nurture opposite sides of the coin. I’ll stop my metaphors now (laughs).

What Britt Lower’s Dual Role In Severance Season 2 Means

Two Sides Of The Same Coin

Lower’s dual portrayal of Helly and Helena perfectly captures the show’s central tension. By embodying both an oppressed employee and a privileged corporate heir, Lower becomes the cornerstone of Severance‘s psychological conflict. Innies are stripped of their personal autonomy and forced to work solely for the benefit of their outies, who remain shielded from the burdens of their work lives. Helly’s disdain for Lumon and her desperate attempts to escape—like hanging herself in the company elevator—do not matter to Helena, who wants to globalize the severance program as she prepares to take over the company.

After the end of Severance season 1, Mark and the rest of his department surprisingly avoid repercussions for momentarily releasing themselves into the outside world. Instead, their actions position them as leading figures in the burgeoning Severance reform within Lumon. As Lower notes, Helly and Helena’s characters are “opposite sides of the coin.” Helena’s privilege of getting her own way seeps into her innie. As Helena is fiercely determined to cement her family’s legacy, Helly is unyielding in her desire to dismantle the severance program from within.

Our Take On Helly & Helena In Severance Season 2

The Heart Of Severance Season 2

Helly and Helena’s dynamic is shaping up to be one of the most compelling aspects to come in Severance season 2. Helly’s relentless fight to destroy the severance program clashes perfectly with Helena’s calculated mission to expand it, creating a powerful tension that elevates the show’s exploration of identity and control. Lower’s ability to balance these opposing forces ensures both characters feel distinct yet deeply connected, making their intertwined journeys a standout element in the psychological thriller. Severance season 2 is poised to deepen this fascinating conflict, and I can’t wait to see how it unfolds.