Like nearly every actor on Apple TV+’s Severance, Britt Lower plays a dual role, but in the case of her Helena Eagan/Helly R., Lower portrays two characters who are essentially at odds within the Lumon Industries depicted on the series. Speaking with AwardsWatch, Lower detailed what goes into portraying two diametrically opposed characters who are rooted in the same human being.
When asked by the interviewer how she approaches playing her characters on the series — particularly when one is imitating the other — Lower reveals that she has taken inspiration from an unexpected source. She explains:
“A lot of it is internal work, just knowing their internal rhythms and the way that it feels to be in their perspectives. I actually did watch, when I was developing Helly initially, I watched videos of animals who were trying to escape or who were trapped. And the way that there’s just this primal way that Helly moves through the world, that’s a very internal kind of rhythm. How did I prepare? I mean, it’s a lot of just making sure I’m really clear on who knows what and who is privy to certain information. And then a lot of it is like my wonderful cast and crew. You get so much inspiration when you’re on set for Severance, the way that the other actors are, what they’re bringing to the table is so inspiring, so informative. And the way that you’re costumed and the way that the set makes you feel the lower ceilings, there’s so much information to play off of, so it really is a true collaboration. I do my internal work, which involves drawing and music, and then I try to forget all of that when I get to set and just really be present to the incredible team that is there.
