When you thought watching the phenomenon often known as “Severance” was nerve-racking sufficient, think about the stress of getting to placed on the efficiency of your life as a part of its forged. It has been virtually precisely 5 months since we had been left dangling on the cliffhanger of all cliffhangers after the Apple TV+ collection’ season 2 finale, however that does not imply we’re performed obsessing over the mystery-box story. From viewers getting embroiled in transport wars over Mark S./Helly R. versus Mark Scout/Gemma, to pondering all types of fan theories which were holding us up at night time, to the sheer leisure issue of watching star Tramell Tillman conduct that magnificent orchestra sequence over and over because the GOAT Mr. Milchick (no, not these goats), there is no finish to points of “Severance” which are holding us preoccupied till the third season lastly arrives.
The newest merchandise on the agenda that is at the moment sweeping the web comes within the type of an audition tape for one of many greatest stars of the present: Brit Decrease as Helly R./Helena Eagan. The method of sending in self-tapes to snag extremely aggressive components on the Subsequent Large Factor™ could be a grueling one for actors — to not point out an intensely weak one. It is simple to look downright foolish and even fully misinterpret the tone of a script, significantly for an idea as outlandish and fantastical as “Severance.” Fortunately for us all, Decrease threw warning to the wind and dedicated to her efficiency … lengthy earlier than she even received the position. Apple formally launched the video on its YouTube channel, giving us all an inside have a look at the clip that ultimately gave us one of the best efficiency of the collection’ complete ensemble. What’s extra, no much less a reputation than present director and producer Ben Stiller chimed in on social media and topped this audition reel as considered one of “one of the best I’ve seen.”
This and @MrEricLange self tape for Escape at Dannemora are one of the best I’ve seen. It is so superb once you see somebody nail a personality like that at dwelling. The arduous work that goes in to it for actors every day, with no assure they’ll even get a name again…. https://t.co/YzjFeQV17H
— Ben Stiller (@BenStiller) August 19, 2025
“This and [Eric Lange’s] self tape for ‘Escape at Dannemora’ are one of the best I’ve seen. It is so superb once you see somebody nail a personality like that at dwelling. The arduous work that goes in to it for actors every day, with no assure they’ll even get a name again.”
Take a look at the total video under!
Brit Decrease goes the additional mile in her audition tape for Helly R. in Severance
Give it up for Britt Decrease, of us. We have seen some audition tapes that show when an actor clearly is not the precise individual for the job, and we have seen others that present a captivating window into what may’ve been (like this one that includes a sure “Boys” actor). Not often, nonetheless, can we see one the place a performer goes the additional mile to point out the world (effectively, a casting director and different inventive heads) why they had been merely born to have the half.
The most important and most fast takeaway from this “Severance” tape must be Decrease’s willingness to place her complete physique and thoughts into the scene — regardless of having to channel such intense feelings within the least preferrred circumstances possible. The sequence in query might be a well-known one to followers: It is the very first scene from the season 1 premiere, when Helly R. wakes up on a desk in a mysterious convention room with completely no reminiscence of who she is or how she received there. We will exit on a limb and say she absolutely nails the frustration and worry the character could be experiencing, even going as far as to kick what appears to be like like her personal toilet door and depart behind noticeable scuff marks. The second main realization will probably be the truth that, even this early within the manufacturing, the scene Decrease was given virtually completely matches the ultimate scene that ended up in entrance of cameras. Creator Dan Erickson has spoken concerning the long-simmering inspirations behind the premise of “Severance,” however who knew that the collection’ precise scripts seem to have been (largely) set in stone as early as they had been?
That is simply one other reminder of how a lot dedication and craft was concerned in bringing among the finest streaming reveals in recent times to life. We nonetheless have a little bit of wait earlier than season 3 of “Severance” lastly arrives, however uncovering little gems like these will assist make it considerably extra tolerable. Within the meantime, you possibly can watch (or re-watch) each seasons of the collection on Apple TV+ proper now.
