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Following her starring role in the hit Apple TV+ series Severance, Britt Lower feels she is still dreaming. The resounding success of the show as well as the impressive range of upcoming projects have set the actress on an exciting journey of artistic and self-exploration similar to that of her character, Helly. While she is currently living out her circus dreams at Circus Flora in St. Louis, Lower took a moment with Flaunt to discuss playing Helly, Severance, and what lies ahead. Britt Lower’s interview with Flaunt can be read below.

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Severance has been out in full for a couple of months now. How are you feeling about the whole experience, now that you’ve had a little time to reflect on the show’s resounding success?

From the moment I was cast, I was convinced that getting to make art with my heroes, these total legends, was a dreamscape I’d wake up from and realize I’d been asleep. It wasn’t until the final episode came out that it dawned on me that people had actually received the thing we made, for real. And it has been so fun to watch Severance meet the world. Dan’s script and Ben’s vision for the show were so strong, I think there was a sense on set that we were making something really singular, but we didn’t have any clue how people would react. It’s been really gratifying to watch people fall as much in love with these characters as we loved creating them.

What was it about Helly that drew you to the role?

Her bravery. In the face of a harrowing circumstance, she has a keen sense of what is ethical and is not afraid to stand up to authority. She’s also on this fierce journey of self-discovery. I mean, the very first question of the series is “Who are you?” and she—along with all the characters in the show—are in a very active state of investigating the answer to that. I was also drawn to her sense of humor and vulnerability juxtaposed with this strong exterior. I felt so much humanity in her.

Gucci by Tom Ford via Tab Vintage shirt and necklace, Dolce & Gabanna via Tab Vintage pants, and Crocs shoes.

The show is interesting as it’s the realism that makes the strangeness and craziness of the core idea so apparent. How did you prepare for such a role, blending the ‘real world’ with this confounding character programming?

I know it was important to Ben that the world feel familiar first, and then to add elements that felt slightly askew. In the same vein, I wanted Helly to be very grounded, literally, so I used a lot of physical warmups in the morning to make sure I had my blood moving. I shadow boxed on set to keep loose. Helly is in a state of discovery of the world around her, so taking in the actual environment of the set was inspiring. Helly also weaponizes a lot of office equipment, and the props department would let me take mock-ups of the props home with me so I could carry them around my apartment and get used to holding them in my hands. On a more subconscious level (and during lockdown when we had a lot of time to prepare), I listened to a ton of music and made these abstract drawings and paintings to tap into the rebellious part of her. I have a whole sketch book filled with super intense scribbly very saturated Helly-inspired art!

How did you find switching from ‘Innie’ Helly to ‘Outie’ Helly? I imagine this would’ve been somewhat disorienting in itself.

It was! But it helped to focus on the difference in their posture and the pace of their vocal patterns. Whenever we see Outie Helly, she is presentational, very aware that others are watching her and is in no hurry to get her point across, whereas Innie Helly is more impatient, unmediated, and on a clear and urgent mission. The rule follower versus the rebel.

Severance is confirmed for season 2—what are your hopes for Helly in the upcoming continuation?

More insight as to what life experiences have led Innie Helly to be the person she is and to have made the decisions she made for herself in season 1. I also hope Innie Helly gets to see sunshine or put her hands in dirt or jump in a pool. That would be so nice for her to experience.

Creator Dan Erickson has said that, when pitching the premise (separating consciousness between work and home), he’d get one of two extreme reactions: ‘I’d totally do that’ or ‘why would anyone?’ Gut instinct, which way would you sway?

Gut instinct, I wouldn’t want to sever. There are certainly parts of life that I’ve initially wanted to skip over, whether it was grief or heartache, but in hindsight, whenever I lived it through them with wide eyes, I’ve always been grateful to come out the other side of those chapters more awake, resilient and hopefully, with more empathy.

Gucci by Tom Ford via Tab Vintage shirt and necklace.

You’re also slated to appear in season 2 of American Horror Stories (the AHS spin-off). How did it feel to join the ranks of such a lauded franchise?

So grateful and excited!

Looking forward, what types of projects do you hope to pursue? Do you have a dream role to play?

I’m attracted to delight and I like stories that explore what it means to be emotionally brave. When I first moved to New York, I performed the role of ‘Cavale’ in the play Cowboy Mouth, that Patti Smith and Sam Shepard wrote together during the 70s. I’d love to do something set in that time period.

I’m currently performing in Circus Flora in St. Louis, which marks my live circus debut. It’s been a lifelong daydream of mine to run away with a circus, so I’m in my version of heaven at the moment.

Photographed and styled by Allegra Messina
Hair and makeup by Julie Hiles
Special thanks to Tab Vintage