Severance star breaks down season 2’s shocking finale and what it could mean for season 3

Series star Dichen Lachman sat down with JOE for a spoilery discussion about the season two finale.

Titled 'Cold Harbor', the episode saw the two versions of our hero Mark (Adam Scott) - Innie Mark and Outie Mark - communicate for the first time via video recordings.

Though dubious of each other, Innie Mark agrees to risk his life and his blossoming romantic relationship with Helly (Britt Lower). This is in order to rescue Outie Mark's wife Gemma (Dichen Lachman) from captivity at the hands of Innie Mark's employer Lumon.

Despite some notably bloody early hitches, all seemed to be going to plan as Outie Mark and Gemma were briefly reunited.

However, at the very last second, Innie Mark blows everything - choosing to stay at Lumon's headquarters with Helly instead of exiting to safety with Gemma.

All Gemma can do is scream and panic as Innie Mark and Helly run down Lumon's ominous corridors together - mimicking the opening of season two.

JOE caught up with series star Lachman to break down the gut punch of a finale and you can watch that interview in full below:

Interestingly enough, the actress has a slightly more optimistic view of the closing moments of season two than us.

We had been worried that Gemma may not understand why Mark abandoned her.

Also, we were concerned that perhaps his innie's actions may have inadvertently made Gemma believe the evil Dr. Mauer (Robby Benson).

In the earlier episode 'Chikhai Bardo', the doctor had lied to her - saying that Mark had gotten remarried and had a child in her absence.

Lachman, however, had a more hopeful interpretation.

You can read a snippet of our chat below:

JOE: Hi Dichen, congratulations on the Severance season two finale... It's obviously quite a rollercoaster, particularly for your character Gemma. Can you talk about what's going through her mind when Mark S makes a decision to go off with Helly instead of her?

Dichen Lachman: I think that Gemma is just piecing it together. Initially, she doesn't understand why he's not coming out. I think that when she sees him turn away from her, the further he gets, it dawns on her that he has undergone this procedure himself. She's just trying to reach out to him, [as if] maybe just screaming his name loud enough either convinces his innie [to come back] or breaks through some barrier and reaches his outie.

J: In your view, do you think there's any part of Gemma that, when Mark makes that decision, is thinking about what that evil doctor said in 'Chikhai Bardo' about Mark having remarried and having a new family? Does she possibly think that’s with Helly? Because if so I think it's a very dark and nightmarish place to to leave the character.

DL: Oh wow. That’s so interesting. I didn’t think of it that way, because I guess internally I made the choice not to believe [Dr Mauer]. So it didn't occur to me. But you're so right because if I had made the choice the other way, that could have totally been interpreted that way. It’s a very intense moment. How did you feel after watching it?

J: I felt desperately sad for Gemma. I was worried that she might interpret it that way and not realise that it was Mark's innie and not his outie who did that. And I was kind of curious if that could lead her on a villainous path.

DL: You never know! I mean, it is open to interpretation. So, I love that that's what you got out of it, that's awesome. I mean, not that you felt sad but that you had a different interpretation to me. That's really cool.

J: Yeah, it's interesting. It's a testament to the writing which is so clever and dense.

Season finale Friday.#Severance pic.twitter.com/yf0wGtZTYs

— Apple TV (@AppleTV) March 18, 2025

Severance season 3 has just been officially greenlit by Apple TV+. Prior to this, Lachman told JOE that she hoped a third season would explore how Gemma processes Mark's decision in the season two finale, as well as provide some answers for the lingering mysteries involving her character.

"Yeah, I would hope we get to explore that more," she told JOE. "I feel the fans have a lot of questions and, [creator Dan Erickson's] very aware of all the little things that people talk about online. He's really good like that. He's very engaged.

"[Dan's] so brilliant. So, I'm also excited to just see what he comes up with and not put too many expectations on what he has going on and just go along for the ride."

The finale of Severance season two is streaming on Apple TV+ now.

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