The Severance Podcast with Ben Stiller & Adam Scott

S2E5: Trojan's Horse (with Michael Chernus)

Feb 14, 2025

In this engaging conversation, Michael Chernus, known for his role as Ricken Hale in Severance, shares insights into Ricken's complex character and his relationship with Devon. The trio reflects on Ricken's post-podcast life, exploring the actor's struggle for likability. They dive into character dynamics and the significance of support systems, while also touching on morality and authenticity in performance. Humorous anecdotes about character development add a light-hearted touch to their deep discussions.

01:10:59

Episode guests

Michael Chernus

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Michael Chernus discusses his character Ricken Hale, emphasizing the eccentric and complex portrayal that enriches the show's narrative depth.

The hosts explore the emotional impact of characters coping with grief, particularly through Dylan's heartfelt eulogy for Irving.

Mark's skeptical journey of reintegration highlights the complexities of memory and relationships, reflecting the show’s focus on character development.

Deep dives

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Intro

2min

Unpacking Character Dynamics in 'Severance'

17min

Navigating Relationships and Support Systems

4min

Navigating Morality and Authenticity in Performance

7min

Crafting Characters and Comedic Moments

7min

Navigating Betrayal and Identity in a High-Stakes Environment

6min

Navigating Loss and Connection

22min

Whimsical Predictions and Reality Show Fantasies

4min

This week, Ben and Adam welcome Michael Chernus — who plays Ricken Hale, the visionary author of “The You You Are” — to help unpack Season 2 Episode 5. And while you might expect Ricken to host a podcast of his own, Michael reveals that Ricken is actually post-podcast, so today’s episode is a really big deal. Together, they discuss Ricken’s writing, his relationship with Devon, and the actorly impulse to be liked. Then, Ben and Adam break down the rest of the episode and the challenges of crafting this soft-reset for the MDR team.

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