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22nd March 2025
05:37pm GMT

Apple TV+'s sci-fi thriller hit Severance is one of those shows that you can enjoy both as a casual viewer and also as a more devoted fan who pours over every frame of the gorgeously-produced series for clues.
If you want evidence of this, just type 'Severance theories' into Tiktok and you will be flooded with videos of fans trying to decipher the thriller's many mysteries.
JOE recently spoke to one of the series' stars Dichen Lachman about the season two finale, in which she broke down what was going through her character Gemma's mind as the episode closed out (you can read that spoilery breakdown right here).
But during the interview we had to ask the actress about one of the more outlandish fan theories making the rounds online.
It involves the character of Ricken (played by Michael Chernus), who is the brother-in-law of the lead character Mark (Adam Scott).
One of Severance's more eccentric characters (which is really saying something), some fans are suggesting that there may be an answer hiding in plain sight explaining Ricken's behaviour - that he is in fact, a goat.
After all, goats play a big if still mysterious role at Lumon, the massive biotechnology company where Mark works and to which Ricken has close ties.
But there are other more specific clues, which are handily broken down in the following fan theory video with over 1.2 million views.
We asked Lachman about the theory and you can read the full transcript of the interaction below:
JOE: There is one fan theory I wanted to ask you about. It’s a more outlandish one that I feel has set the internet alight in recent weeks. And it involves the character of Ricken, Mark's brother-in-law. I don't know if you've seen this but fans are speculating that he is secretly a goat. Had you heard about this?
Dichen Lachman: [Surprised] A goat?
J: A goat, yes. Because obviously, goats - pretty important to Lumon. He’s close with Lumon. Apparently, there's a lot of goat memorabilia…
DL: The climbing!
J: Yes, the climbing too, yes.
DL: [Laughing] That is a really cute theory. I mean, that’s probably one of the more wild theories I’ve heard. I love Ricken’s character though. I think he’s wonderful.
J: He’s a great part of the show. I hope we get more of him as well going forward.
DL: Yeah!
If you read the transcript carefully, she didn't say it's not true - so there is still a possibility.
Lachman also explained how she deals with people in her personal life who love Severance and come to her with questions and theories.
She told JOE: "Yes, a lot of people are watching and it's funny, people I know personally, they don’t want spoilers which is really great. Because I don't want to be that person who’s like: ‘I can't tell you.’
"But Severance fans are really respectful about not wanting to know because that's part of the excitement about the show. It’s what makes it special, not really knowing where it's going to go.
"And yeah, friends of mine have come up with their own little theories and I just smile because they don't want me to confirm them. They just want to say them so that if they're right, they can say later: ‘I told you that was going to happen.'"
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