Helly R.'s outie is, in fact, Helena, heir to the Egan fortune and one of the architects of the severance program; and Mark's wife, Gemma, is alive and living as Ms. Casey on the severed floor. Those are the sorts of major plot twists that can trip up even the smartest of puzzle box shows.

Stiller told The Hollywood Reporter that it was paramount he convince streaming platform Apple TV + to give Scott the chance to take on the character of Mark S. in the drama series. Stiller, who executive produces the show and directs several episodes, had previously directed Scott in his 2013 film “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.”

Casting was about figuring out who could handle that. There is humor in Severance, even if most of it comes from perpetual weirdness (what is up with the goats anyway?) rather than jokes. Also, the show does revolve around a workplace,