On the day that Sydney Cole Alexander landed her first recurring position on Severance, she fortuitously booked a Crest business that allow her exhibit her “camera-ready” smile.

On the time, Alexander merely thought she was having “an amazing day.” However the business made its strategy to Ben Stiller — director and govt producer of the Apple TV+‘s office thriller — and wound up serving as inspiration for the huge, mesmerizing, considerably eerie grin that Lumon PR rep Natalie Kalen flashes whereas liaising with the mysterious Board.

“My second day on set… Ben’s like, ‘Hey, Crest lady!’ And we’re laughing. He had seen the business, and that smile that Natalie has that’s so giant and so expressive was born out of Ben Stiller having seen the Crest business,” the Severance star advised Decider over Zoom.

After we first lay eyes on Alexander’s character, she’s in a information section on Mark Scout’s (Adam Scott) tv display screen furiously defending the controversial severance process in wake of questions surrounding autonomy and consent. Although we’re undecided why, Natalie is a religious Lumon worker who’s gone so far as bodily tackling future CEO Helena Eagan to the bottom within the Season 1 finale after Helly R. (Britt Decrease) — who awoke within the outie world because of the Additional time Contingency protocol — began spewing dangerous rhetoric at an organization gala.

In Season 1, Natalie flashed her pearly whites, whipped her pointer finger within the air, went on Emmy-worthy facial journeys, and parroted no matter that The Board spoke into her signature ear piece for former Severed flooring supervisor Concord Cobel (Patricia Arquette). After she fires Cobel, Season 2 finds Natalie forming a recent dynamic with alternative supervisor Seth Milchick (Tramell Tillman), who makes an attempt to attach together with her on a deeper degree than she’s accustomed to.

Decider was jubilant on the likelihood to hop on a name with Alexander and focus on every thing from her audition course of and standout scenes with Arquette and Tramell to Natalie and Ricken’s (Michael Chernus) Season 2 storyline, what she is aware of about The Board, and her hopes for Severance Season 3.

Earlier than you learn on, please know The Board finds this interview deeply troubling.

DECIDER: I’m so excited to speak about Natalie, a very singular character on tv. Earlier than we dive in, may you share a bit concerning the casting course of and the way you discovered your self on this unbelievable collection?

SYDNEY COLE ALEXANDER: So I went via the basic audition course of. I initially went in particular person as a result of we have been nonetheless doing auditions within the room for an preliminary audition. I did two scenes. I did the information scene that Mark watches when he’s seated in his front room. After which I did the primary scene with Concord Cobel. Then I heard again from my reps a short while later that I used to be going to have an in-person audition on the studio with Ben Stiller, which was simply loopy to me, and so thrilling. So I prepped for that, went in, and I used to get very nervous throughout my auditions. My papers could be shaking. I used to be ready for that second to occur. And it was this unusual second the place I felt so calm and so serene, which normally didn’t occur to me throughout that point in my profession. So it simply felt like the celebs have been aligning in a bizarre means. That’s the one means I can describe it.

So I went in. I did my audition. Ben was so pleasant, and so welcoming and heat. We did a few takes and changes and chatted a bit of bit, and I really left feeling like I bombed the audition, as a result of I didn’t have my regular nerves. [Laughs] It’s so unusual. I used to be like “That didn’t really feel proper. I don’t assume it went effectively.” After which I ended up listening to again that I used to be the best choice for Natalie. However due to the pandemic, every thing shut down for some time. So it was many months the place I used to be on maintain for the mission, after which I heard again one thing like 4 months later. Funnily sufficient, I received affirmation that I used to be going to be transferring ahead as Natalie. And I used to be so excited. After which like an hour later, I received a name that I had booked a Crest business. 

Oh my gosh!

It was an amazing day. And so the primary day on set was that information scene. My second day, I arrive and Ben’s like, “Hey, Crest lady!” And we’re laughing. He had seen the business, and that smile that Natalie has that’s so giant and so expressive was born out of Ben Stiller having seen the Crest business. 

Oh my god, that’s wonderful. It’s destiny! (Sidenote: Was that Lumon enamel wall additionally Crest impressed?!)

It’s simply so humorous, as a result of I had booked them on the identical day. It was simply meant to be. I feel that’s such a humorous little factor that occurred. Like, who would have imagined that this Crest business would one way or the other be associated to Severance? Booked on the identical day? It was such a beautiful expertise.

I like that story a lot. Earlier than we dive into Natalie’s Season 2 scenes, one of many greatest unknowns from Season 1 is, in fact, The Board. As the one who performs the go-between, have you learnt all of the solutions that followers search? If you’re speaking into that earpiece, is there something on the opposite facet — both actually or that you just’re capable of think about based mostly on what you recognize — or are you as at the hours of darkness as we’re?

I feel on a present like this, there are mysteries that we’re aware about and there are mysteries that we’re not aware about. I actually don’t have all of the solutions. I do have my very own concept of what’s occurring. And normally what I do earlier than capturing is I simply write out for myself what I feel I’m listening to based mostly on what my response is. I type of simply make up a backstory in my very own head. And lots of occasions Ben and I’ll mess around with how lengthy the pauses are. Generally they’re simply deliciously lengthy and awkward and enjoyable. Generally they’re transient. So I make up my very own story about what I feel is being mentioned to me. 

That’s so fascinating. When the collection is over, it’s a must to launch the transcripts. [Laughs]

I ought to. I do preserve my scripts. 

Season 2 to date, probably the most impactful scenes is when Lumon addresses race in essentially the most Lumon means attainable. The Board sends Natalie to provide Milchick these work the place Kier is reimagined as a Black man. And Milchick is so clearly greatly surprised by them. You two convey a lot in that scene via refined facial expressions, your eyes, your lip quivering. What was it like filming that scene with Tramell?

Filming the scene with Tramell was great. He’s such a gift actor, such a beautiful human and particular person to work with. He’s so gifted and sort. We had had just a few discussions — each on set, and I had a dialogue with a producer previous to filming it concerning the content material of the scene — and one thing that Tramell had mentioned with me was simply wanting to ask the viewers with out essentially isolating them with this subject. As a result of it hadn’t been touched on but. So I had a dialogue with him and we talked about all of the completely different ways in which it could possibly be portrayed. And what I assumed could be fascinating for my finish is to have a special expertise than Milchick does. And so we performed round with completely different responses. We tried it fairly just a few occasions. Ben was great about letting us discover that and convey our personal concepts into it, and he gave us lots of flexibility, in addition to some great route, as he all the time does.

I keep in mind simply trying into Tramell’s eyes and feeling so shook by the directness that was occurring, as a result of in that scene — and I feel what made the ultimate reduce — is that he seems at me in a really direct and pointed means. And Natalie is so accustomed to having this veneer and issues are being mentioned, however there’s one other message beneath. There’s lots of coding occurring. And so I feel that for me as an actor, in that second, I skilled this directness as one thing that type of shook Natalie up, as a result of it wasn’t one thing that she’s usually accustomed to coping with. I consider that there have been lots of unconscious layers for her that I, because the actor, was acutely aware of difficult emotions that have been occurring within her. However I made a decision that Natalie isn’t essentially acutely aware and awake to these. So the second it begins effervescent up and it will get too near the floor, it turns into extremely threatening. And it’s vital to her to take care of her place within the firm. She is a real believer of Lumon and every thing that they’re undertaking. And so I needed to simply push it again down and return into my consolation zone, for lack of one other phrase. I’d additionally say that to me, there did really feel like a second of warning him that Lumon is listening. 

Proper. Lumon is listening usually, however Natalie actually has The Board in her ear. We see once more in Episode 205 that Milchick confronts Natalie concerning the advanced feelings the work evoke and the same challenges they might have confronted as staff of colour at Lumon. She dismisses the dialog, however that facade briefly falls once more. Do you assume Milchick is beginning to awaken one thing inside her, whether or not she’s able to confront it or not? Between that scene and him taking a look at her when he’s getting completely destroyed in his efficiency evaluate — 

I do know. So intense. Initially, I attempt to do lots of analysis, however I additionally do my greatest to stay open to see what the opposite actor goes to provide me, as a result of I don’t wish to plan out my whole response when there’s one other artist throughout from me who has one thing to provide that ought to be affecting me. So after I first took a take a look at that scene in my head, I used to be like, “No means.” However after I was really on set with him, I felt a bit softened by him. I do assume that Natalie, on the very least, was open to a dialogue and a dialog individual to individual with him, as a result of I feel that Milchick, to date, has been such an organization man, and follows the foundations, and believes a lot within the teachings of Kier and is so dedicated to Lumon, whereas Concord strikes to the beat of her personal drum and he or she breaks guidelines. And that’s not one thing that Natalie agrees with or appreciates. So I feel she has a special dynamic and a special relationship with Milchick, and is extra open to having conversations and perhaps even taking him below her wing a bit of bit to point out him survive in a company like this.

I feel there’s a little little bit of an awakening in her. However on the identical time, she has the power to cross extra and he or she has the power to fly below the radar. She’s nearer to the highest of the corporate, so she enjoys the various privileges that permits her to get pleasure from. So whereas I feel it’s awakening her, I don’t know essentially how far it’ll go for her. I’m inquisitive about that as effectively. 

We actually begin to learn the way vital Natalie’s position is in Season 2. Not solely is she current in these boardroom discussions, however she ambushes Ricken and Devon at their dwelling on this hilarious however manipulative effort to get him to water down his guide, The You You Are, for innies. What was it like getting to depart Lumon and share a scene with Michael Chernus and Jen Tullock? 

It was so enjoyable. I by no means thought I used to be going to be having any scenes with them, so after I noticed the script I used to be actually enthusiastic about it. As an actor, it’s so superior to work with completely different actors, who’re all so gifted, and study from and collaborate with them. So Sydney-wise, that was such a beautiful expertise, as a result of that is such a collaborative, inventive solid.

So far as being Natalie outdoors of Lumon, that was really actually enjoyable, as a result of I received to see how she has a little bit of this PR public persona that’s fairly completely different than the particular person she is when she’s coming in to reprimand somebody. Very often she’s translating and being a conduit to the gods, if you’ll, a message that she’s being advised. She has to relay messages forwards and backwards. And in order that was a second of freedom, too. I clearly had a mission and a objective and there was a function there. However I used to be capable of converse extra freely, which I assumed was a extremely enjoyable train and a pleasant colour to see for her. Working with them was nice. It felt very tense within the room the second that Devon walked in. [Laughs]

I do know, I hope we see extra of them collectively down the road. In Season 1 you shared the vast majority of your scenes with the nice Patricia Arquette. What was it like working together with her and crafting Natalie and Cobel’s dynamic? 

It was unbelievable. I used to be positively nervous my first day, as a result of that is my first recurring position. And to hop on a set with a legend like Patricia Arquette is only a wild expertise. She is such knowledgeable. She is so devoted, and particular, and sort. She was very heat and really welcoming. And I feel one of many first issues I observed was that she harnesses a lot energy and is so silent and communicates so clearly and so effectively whereas barely transferring a muscle — not even elevating her voice. I feel taking a look at her and watching her work actually helped me floor and lock in. I additionally actually loved the strain that we had between these two characters, as a result of it felt like there was a lot backstory that’s not being essentially explored within the script, however you’ll be able to really feel it. It was great working together with her, that one scene the place she will get up in my face and is talking via the earpiece was so amazingly invasive and horrible for Natalie, however so great for me as an actor to have the ability to have that scene together with her. It has been an absolute pleasure and a pleasure. 

You even received to fireside her! And he or she says, “Oh fuck off, Natalie! Is The Board even there?” How satisfying was it to lastly hear a “sure” come out of that little speaker?

[Laughs] So satisfying. I received to actually loosen up. 

I’m undecided how on-line you’re regarding the present, however I wish to know in case you’ve seen the overwhelming love for you and Natalie — significantly after your Season 2, Episode 3 scene.

I’m on-line. I’ve a lurker Reddit account. [Laughs] So I learn the feedback. I’m so touched by the response. To start with, it’s so enjoyable to be so hated, which I by no means thought I’d say. However it actually has been such a pleasure. I hoped that folks would obtain that portray scene. However the response has far exceeded my expectations. I’ve actually felt so honored and touched by the outcomes. Persons are simply so joyful concerning the scene, and the entire feedback and appreciation for the scene simply touched my coronary heart. I feel as an actor, it’s so great to have the ability to work, to have the privilege to work in any respect. However to really have participated in a mission — the entire of Severance, which, I simply admire this present a lot — but in addition a scene that was significant to individuals, is actually a dream come true. I don’t even have the phrases to specific how joyful it makes me, however I’m over the moon.

Because you’re a Reddit lurker, I’ve to ask in case you’ve seen the various fan theories about Natalie and The Board and when you’ve got a favourite.

So far as theories go, I don’t know what my favourite principle is. I nearly don’t wish to touch upon theories as a result of I like how obsessed individuals are with theories. And I don’t wish to dismiss any of them as a result of I would like individuals to maintain interested by them. [Laughs]

I respect it. Assuming there will likely be a Season 3, as a result of followers would riot if this present was not renewed, is there something you’d wish to see for Natalie or an expertise as an actor you’d wish to have on the present? 

I want to see a bit of little bit of Natalie’s day after day life. It’s been so wonderful to begin to see Outie Helena. I’m simply loving it. Britt Decrease is improbable. She’s nailing it. And usually, I’m excited about seeing how different staff like Milchick and Natalie received concerned with this firm and the way far does this dedication go? That’s one factor I used to be interested by with that Ricken scene. This isn’t a 9 to five job and there aren’t any boundaries right here. It’s not only a PR consultant and conferences. Persons are doing issues that wouldn’t be anticipated out of a traditional job. So I’m curious to see extra of that. 

Oh completely. We’d like some Natalie backstory. If you consider your profession past Severance, is there one other present you’d love to affix or a sure style in your wishlist?

I’ve all the time wished to do motion. I keep in mind being a child and seeing Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider and one thing simply clicked for me. I simply actually, actually cherished watching that movie. In order that’s one thing that’s all the time been in my head. I’m a really bodily particular person. I work out rather a lot, so I feel doing stunts and doing motion could be so enjoyable. Along with that, I’m obsessive about Silo and I’d like to be on Silo. 

Oh, you’d be wonderful on Silo. Apple TV+ gods, in case you’re studying this…

I feel it’s an incredible present. And I do love drama, however I’m additionally into comedy as effectively. So perhaps one thing like Arrested Growth could be enjoyable, to play a extremely excessive character. [Laugh]

Undoubtedly. And as on your motion desires, Tramell has an in with Mission Not possible and within the meantime, we want a scene of Natalie doing the Tom Cruise run down a Lumon corridor.

[Laughs] I would like a working scene for positive, and I’d positively do Mission Not possible. 

The Board has concluded the interview, which was edited for size and readability.

New episodes of Severance Season 2 premiere Fridays on Apple TV+.