In Apple TV Plus’s Severance, much of the show takes place in a sterile, brightly lit office where characters engage in an enigmatic and mysterious task. The work involves manipulating numbers on strange computers, which appear to resemble an alternate reality version of the game Minesweeper. The goal is to find numbers that “feel scary,” though the characters are unsure of the exact meaning behind this task. As the show progresses, the audience, along with the characters, becomes increasingly immersed in the uncertainty surrounding their work.
The computers used by the characters in Severance are functional devices that actors interact with on set. Adam Scott, who portrays Mark and also serves as a producer, explains that the actors are genuinely refining numbers as part of their performance. This hands-on interaction with the computers adds a layer of authenticity to their roles, making the bizarre tasks they perform feel real to both the audience and the performers themselves. The physicality of interacting with these devices helps the actors embody the confusion and intrigue of their characters.
The design of the computers is the brainchild of prop master Cath Miller and production designer Jeremy Hindle. Given the premise of the show, where characters undergo a procedure to sever their work and personal identities, the design team wanted the devices to feel playful and intriguing. Hindle mentioned that the team intentionally avoided typical office technology, such as laptops, and instead opted for a more experimental design. The idea was to create a device that would feel novel and engaging, adding to the surreal and unsettling nature of the show’s environment.
Scott reflects on the experience of using the computer terminals, noting that they remind him of vintage devices like the Apple IIe, which adds a sense of nostalgia. However, the Lumon computers are deliberately designed to feel slightly off, with odd button placements and unconventional ergonomics. While the actors, including Scott, Zach Cherry, Britt Lower, and John Turturro, initially struggled with the quirky devices, they eventually adapted. This interaction with the computers becomes an integral part of their performances, as it mirrors the disorientation and confusion their characters feel.
The actors’ experience with these devices parallels the uncertainty of their characters. As Scott points out, the characters have no idea what they are doing—they simply know they need to refine numbers based on a vague sense of “scariness.” This sense of cluelessness is central to the show, and by actively engaging with the computers, the actors can better connect with their roles. The tangible interaction with the devices allows them to physically embody the confusion and disconnection their characters experience, making their performances feel grounded despite the surreal nature of the world around them.