The Severance Podcast with Ben Stiller & Adam Scott Effort and Ease (with Merritt Wever & Ramy Youssef)
Aug 28, 2025
Merritt Wever, an Emmy-winning actress known for her roles in Nurse Jackie and Godless, and Ramy Youssef, a Golden Globe-winning comedian and massive Severance fan, join the hosts for a lively discussion. Wever shares insights on character preparation and whether her character, Gretchen, had a flirtation with Dylan’s Innie. Youssef reflects on the show's themes and his New Jersey roots, combining humor and authenticity as they delve into the art of performance and the significance of storytelling in Severance.
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Episode notes
Find The Balance Between Prep And Freedom
- Prepare enough to feel rooted but avoid overpreparing so your performance doesn't calcify.
- Leave room to get free in the moment and let the scene evolve during doing it.
Requesting Silence Before Takes
- Merritt told Ben she needed to avoid talking through choices before performing because discussing kills spontaneity.
- Ben respected that preference and they read scenes without over-discussing on day one.
TV As A Creative Relay Race
- Multi-season shows become creative relay races when writers watch actors and build on their choices.
- Merritt described getting pages that feel like weekly gifts as writers respond to performers.