Severance Season Two Needs to Be Careful With Cameos

The following contains minor spoilers for Severance season two, episode one, “Hello, Ms. Cobel”)

When the first season of Severance was released on Apple TV+ back in 2022, it wasn’t exactly a surefire success. It had a big name director in Ben Stiller and recognizable faces like Adam Scott, Christopher Walken, and Patricia Arquette, but it was from an untested creator and premiering on an underutilized streaming service. Even with all the talent in front of and behind the camera, there was no guarantee the series would end up becoming the hit that it did.

Now, three years later, the long-awaited second season is a different story. Expectations are sky-high for season two, particularly after such a long wait, and the success of the first season likely means that more big-name actors are sliding into Stiller’s DMs wanting to get in on the action. The season premiere “Hello, Ms. Cobel” has already given fans a couple cameos, and while these can make for a fun surprise for viewers, relying too heavily on unexpected casting to boost fan engagement can end up having unintended consequences. For a cautionary tale, Severance need only look to one of its fellow acclaimed series of the moment, FX’s The Bear.

Severance’s Celebrity Cameos

Severance has only aired one episode of its second season so far, but it’s already had a few cameos, introducing new innies played by the likes of Alia Shawkat and Bob Balaban, who may or may not ever be seen again. But the biggest surprise casting came from none other than Keanu Reeves as the voice of the Lumon administrative building, cheerily narrating the “Lumon is Listening” animated video. Reeves was uncredited for his work in the scene, but his instantly recognizable voice was quickly sniffed out by fans, and it didn’t take long for the news to get everywhere.

Balaban and Shawkat might not be quite as ubiquitous as Keanu Reeves, but they’re still well-known by a lot of TV fans, their presence providing that quick dopamine hit of recognition. Taking a peek at the cast list for season two or watching a preview shows that viewers will soon be introduced to the likes of Game of Thrones’ Gwendolyn Christie, Fringe’s John Noble, and The Walking Dead’s Merritt Wever in future episodes. At this point, it’s unclear how substantial their roles will be, but it’s likely the creators still have some surprises in store.

These cameos can be a lot of fun, a reward for eagle-eyed (or -eared) viewers and a subtle validation of the show’s success. But if overused, they can end up distracting from the world of the show, particularly for one with such a carefully crafted sense of unreality as Severance. Placing the voice of Lumon as Reeves’ unmistakable vocal register was an enjoyable moment, but couldn’t help but take viewers out of the scene, at least momentarily. For a show like Severance where every moment counts, these kinds of distractions can add up quickly.

The Bear: a Cautionary Tale

For an example of a show that went too far into cameos to its own detriment, look no further than FX’s critically-beloved, awards-devouring restaurant dramedy The Bear. Its first season was not unlike Severance, an original series by an unknown creator that ended up becoming a smash hit for its exemplary quality and novel presentation. It drastically raised the profile of recognizable TV actors like Jeremy Allen White, Ebon Moss Bachrach, and Ayo Edebiri, turning them from more niche celebrities to bona fide movie stars.

So by the time season two rolled around, creator Christopher Storer and the creative team had a much bigger platform in Hollywood, allowing them to cast more well-known actors like Jamie Lee Curtis, John Mulaney, Bob Odenkirk, and Olivia Colman in comparatively small roles. It seemed like a lot of actors were happy just to be involved with The Bear in some form, taking on a guest role for an episode or two but not infiltrating the main cast.

These additions also made for fun surprises at first, particularly in season two’s flashback episode “Fishes,” which offered a tidal wave of famous faces. But by the time John Cena showed up as another lovably goofy Fak brother in season three, the use of celebrity guests felt stretched a little thin. Cena is an entertaining actor to watch, but his presence ended up feeling like more of a gimmick than a deliberate casting choice. The Bear feels like a fundamentally small-scale show for its claustrophobic setting and realist tone, so A-listers like Cena don’t feel like a true part of that world.

Severance doesn’t have to worry about realism in the same way as The Bear, so a celebrity or two might not throw off the balance too much. But in order to maintain the sense of mystery and uncanny intrigue that are so central to the series, they should avoid going full The Bear and keep the cameos to a minimum. Keanu gets a pass, though.

Severance

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Release Date

February 18, 2022

Cast

Adam Scott
, Britt Lower
, Zach Cherry
, Tramell Tillman
, Jen Tullock
, Dichen Lachman
, Michael Chernus
, John Turturro
, Christopher Walken
, Patricia Arquette
, Sarah Bock
, Marc Geller
, Michael Cumpsty

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Seasons

2

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Streaming Service(s)

AppleTV+

Directors

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Ben Stiller

Showrunner

Dan Erickson
, Mark Friedman

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