EXCLUSIVE| 'Severance' star Tramell Tillman talks theories & how Covid added to plot
Each week Apple TV+ rolls out an exciting new episode of the office thriller 'Severance' and fans who wait eagerly are met with a treat! One of the best aspects of the show is the intriguing characters that always show new sides to them.
Along with Patricia Arquette's Ms Cobel who is the head of the Severed floor, Milchick who is the manager of the floor serves as a stunning antagonist. Brought to life by the skilled Tramell Tillman, Michick is a many-layered character who is driven by his loyalty to the company. From maintaining order, doling out punishments in the break room to impromptu dance routines, Milchick's character is a bewitching one. MEAWW had a chance to get an in-depth look behind the scenes in an interview with Tillman, so read on to know more about your favorite new Apple TV+ show!
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In the show, you share many tense scenes with Patricia Arquette, Adam Scott, John Turturro, and Britt Lower? What were your off-screen interactions like?
In this case, it was very different because we had to be separated because of Covid. They wanted to keep everyone safe, so testing was very regular. I remember meeting everyone and they were so lovely. Britt and I hit it off immediately and I had the impulse to hug John when I first met him at a reading. But since we were so friendly, the Covid specialist would come by and remind us to keep our distance. That's just the nature of who we are as artists. We love community and we love to bond and connect since we've been in a little bubble for months and months on end. It's so exciting to be around people. So this was a very unique situation but I'll tell you that this particular situation clearly served the nature of the show because this is a show wrapped in mystery. You don't know what's going to happen next and the departments are separated. My department with Cobel and myself is separated from the Lumon floor. We are watching them and keeping an eye on the Severed floor, more specifically MDR which is separated from the O&D department. So having that feeling of isolation actually served to tell the story within the show.
The show sees characters have conflicting opinions on the Severance procedure. Hypothetically if the Severance procedure did exist, would you be pro-Severance or anti-Severance?
I definitely would not go forward with the procedure. It would not be for me to participate in the Severance procedure, but I do have a lot of questions, Tramell has a lot of questions as to what Lumon does. I think the explanation that helps me (Milchick) sleep at night is that we are working to help end world hunger (laughs). But I don't think that's what Lumon is doing (laughs). So you know, with this show I have so many theories. It's best not to attach myself to any of those theories because it could go in any way. But I was having conversations with Patricia and Britt about this very subject, the nature of Severance, and the benefits of it. We as actors kind of sever ourselves a bit, but I think it would be difficult for me to actually undergo the Severance procedure because so much of myself tries to find the similarities of who I am in every character that I play because it feels more enriching for me. So you know you can't do that when you're severed.
Ms Cobel and Milchick display a disturbing loyalty towards Lumon. Some fans have theorized that they could be severed at a more advanced level than the employees. What do you think of this theory?
Wow! I hadn't thought of that. That's an interesting theory! It could be possible, I don't know. There were many discussions on whether Milchick had been severed or not, but we know that's not the case because we’re able to navigate outside of Lumon and inside of Lumon. But you know that's an interesting theory, maybe there's something there that’s another level or another dimension of Severance that Cobel and Milchick may have undergone.
When you are not busy, you work with local communities that support the arts, LGBTQ rights, raise mental health awareness, and important causes related to people of color. What drives you to do so and what change is it that you would like to see?
I was taught at a young age, "To whom much is given much will be required." As of queer person of color I understand that I operate in a space that has disadvantages and a lot of challenges. We’re part of a disenfranchised group, but even in that I have been afforded a lot of opportunities and I don't take that lightly as I know there are people around me that don't have as many opportunities as I do. So I do my best to work in environments and communities that are underserved as a way of giving back. It's a form of activism as well. My hope is not only that our communities continue to be uplifted, but also continue to be visible. That the issues faced and dealing with will have solutions that can affect real change and that’s not just a change for the moment, but for many, many years and generations coming behind us. And I am grateful to be a part of that movement.
What can we expect from you in the future? Any upcoming projects that fans can look forward to?
I am currently working on a translation project of Shakespeare, a podcast on King Lear and I voice the role of Edmund the Bastard which is exciting. I am also currently in a play here in Chicago doing a show at the Goodman Theatre with the incredible Sean Hayes called 'Good Night Oscar'. So if anyone is in the Chicago area come check it out, would love to have you there! We run until April 24 I believe. And when I am not doing that, I work in the community, just allowing the work to come and seeing what unfolds. Also, fingers, eyes, and toes crossed that we’ll hear back about a Season 2!
