8 Major New Stars Joining The Severance Season 2 Cast: A Full Breakdown Of Returning And Guest Actors

The highly anticipated return to Lumon Industries is finally upon us, and the Macrodata Refinement team is bringing some serious star power with them. As of December 13, 2025, Apple TV+ has officially confirmed a staggering eight new actors joining the ensemble for Severance Season 2, which is set to premiere on January 17, 2025. These additions—including television heavyweights and Oscar nominees—are poised to expand the mysterious world of the severed floor, likely introducing new departments, new 'outies,' or even new figures within the shadowy hierarchy of Lumon.

The second season promises to pick up immediately after the explosive finale, where Mark Scout’s 'innie' successfully severed his consciousness into his 'outie' life, exposing the truth about Lumon to his sister and friends. The dramatic cliffhanger necessitates a significant expansion of the cast to explore the consequences of the 'innies' rebellion and the deeper secrets of the Eagan family's corporation. This comprehensive guide breaks down every confirmed returning star and the exciting list of new guest actors who will shape the future of this Emmy-winning psychological thriller.

The Returning Refiners: Full Biography Profile of the Core Severance Cast

The heart of Severance lies with the original cast, whose performances brought the complex dynamics of the severed employees to life. All major players are confirmed to return, facing the fallout of the season one finale, which left the fates of several characters hanging in the balance. The biographical profiles below detail the key actors and their pivotal roles in the Lumon saga.

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• Adam Scott as Mark Scout: The lead of the Macrodata Refinement (MDR) team, Mark is the central figure whose 'innie' is dedicated to Lumon and whose 'outie' is grappling with the grief of his wife's death. The season one finale saw his 'innie' successfully infiltrate his 'outie' life, a breach that will undoubtedly be the focus of Season 2. Scott is known for his roles in Parks and Recreation and Party Down.
• Britt Lower as Helly Riggs: Helly's 'innie' spent the first season desperately trying to resign and escape the severed floor, only for her 'outie' to be revealed as Helena Eagan, a member of the powerful and mysterious Eagan family that runs Lumon. Her revelation in the finale is the most significant threat to the severance procedure's integrity. Lower is known for her work in Man Seeking Woman.
• John Turturro as Irving Bailiff: The strict but sensitive member of the MDR team. Irving's 'innie' has a secret, deep connection with Burt Goodman from Optics and Design, while his 'outie' is revealed to be obsessively researching Lumon, suggesting a past life that may hold key answers. Turturro is a veteran actor with a massive filmography, including The Big Lebowski.
• Zach Cherry as Dylan George: The most outspoken and protective member of MDR, Dylan’s 'innie' was instrumental in triggering the 'Overtime Contingency' to allow his colleagues to wake up outside of Lumon. His personal sacrifice and the discovery of his 'outie's' children fueled his rebellion. Cherry is also known for You and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
• Patricia Arquette as Harmony Cobel/Mrs. Selvig: Mark’s relentless supervisor at Lumon and his seemingly kindly neighbor in his 'outie' life. Cobel's fanatic devotion to the Eagan family and her desperation to protect the severance procedure will drive her actions in Season 2 as she attempts to contain the damage caused by the MDR team. Arquette is an Oscar and Emmy winner, known for Boyhood and Escape at Dannemora.
• Tramell Tillman as Seth Milchick: The cheerful yet unnerving supervisor who enforces Lumon's rules. Milchick's unwavering loyalty and unsettling presence make him a major antagonist. Tillman is also a stage actor known for his work on Broadway.
• Christopher Walken as Burt Goodman: The head of the Optics and Design department whose 'innie' forms a loving bond with Irving. His fate after the MDR team's discovery of his department remains one of the season's biggest questions. Walken is an Academy Award winner known for countless films, including Pulp Fiction.
• Dichen Lachman as Ms. Casey/Gemma: The wellness counselor for the severed employees, revealed to be Mark’s presumed-dead wife, Gemma. This twist is the most shocking revelation of the series, and her true role within Lumon is central to the show's mystery. Lachman is known for Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
• Jen Tullock as Devon: Mark’s 'outie' sister, who is one of the few people outside Lumon aware of the true nature of the severance procedure.
• Michael Chernus as Ricken: Devon’s husband and a self-published philosophical author whose book, The You You Are, becomes a forbidden text and a source of inspiration for the 'innies.'

The Eight New Faces: Major Guest Stars and Cast Additions for Season 2

The expansion of the world beyond the severed floor and the introduction of new departments within Lumon requires a fresh injection of talent. Apple TV+ confirmed a list of eight high-profile actors joining the cast, though most of their specific roles and character intentions remain tightly guarded secrets. These new additions are not just minor characters; they are significant guest stars and recurring roles that will dramatically shift the narrative landscape.

A List of Confirmed New Severance Season 2 Cast Members:

This list represents the biggest wave of new talent since the show's inception, promising to bring new intrigue and conflict to the core MDR team.

1. Gwendoline Christie (as Lorne): One of the most recognizable additions, Christie is best known for her iconic roles as Brienne of Tarth in Game of Thrones and as Lucifer in The Sandman. She has been confirmed to play a character named Lorne, who is an employee of Lumon. Given her imposing screen presence, fans speculate she could be a high-ranking Lumon official, a new security threat, or perhaps a leader of a different, even more mysterious severed department.

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2. Alia Shawkat (as Gwendolyn Y.): Shawkat, famous for her roles in Arrested Development and Search Party, is joining the cast as Gwendolyn Y. Reports suggest she may be a new member of the Macrodata Refinement department, potentially filling a vacant slot or adding a new dynamic to the core team's already strained relationships. Her character’s integration into the MDR would be fascinating, especially following the events of the finale.

3. Merritt Wever: An Emmy-winning actress known for her compelling roles in Nurse Jackie and Unbelievable. Wever's involvement is a major coup for the series. Her role is currently undisclosed, but her talent for playing complex, emotionally layered characters suggests she will have a pivotal, possibly non-severed, role in the larger story, perhaps as a character connected to the 'outie' world or a high-level corporate figure.

4. Bob Balaban: A veteran actor and director with a long history of collaborations with Wes Anderson and roles in films like Best in Show. Balaban's casting suggests a character with gravitas, likely an older figure in the Lumon organization, perhaps a member of the Eagan family council, or a retired Lumon executive holding a vital piece of the company's history.

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5. Ólafur Darri Ólafsson: The Icelandic actor is known for his work in The Tourist and Somebody Somewhere. Ólafsson's unique screen presence makes him a strong candidate for a character who could be either a fellow 'innie' from a different floor or a mysterious figure in the 'outie' world who crosses paths with Mark or Irving.

6. John Noble: Best known for his roles as Denethor in The Lord of the Rings and Walter Bishop in Fringe. Noble's addition is particularly exciting for fans of sci-fi and mystery. Given his history of playing powerful and eccentric figures, he could easily be cast as a key member of the Eagan lineage or a scientist responsible for the development of the severance procedure.

7. Robby Benson: An actor and director with an extensive career, including voicing the Beast in Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Benson’s role is completely under wraps, but his casting adds another layer of intriguing unpredictability to the ensemble.

8. Stefano Carannante: A less-known but promising addition to the cast. Carannante's role could be a smaller, but crucial, part of the Lumon machine, perhaps a new security guard, a lower-level employee, or a character who helps the 'innies' on the outside.

Topical Authority: The Expanding Lore of Lumon and the Eagan Family

The primary function of introducing so many new cast members is to deepen the topical authority of the series by exploring the vast, frightening scope of Lumon Industries and the Eagan family’s influence. Season 1 focused on the Macrodata Refinement team's struggle for self-awareness; Season 2 will inevitably pull back the curtain on the larger corporate conspiracy and the ethical implications of the procedure.

The new actors are perfectly positioned to introduce several key LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) entities that fans are eager to learn more about:

• The Eagan Family: With Helly's reveal as Helena Eagan, the new cast members could play other family members, board members, or high-level functionaries dedicated to preserving the Eagan legacy and the 'sacred' severance procedure. Bob Balaban and John Noble are prime candidates for these roles.
• Other Severed Departments: While we’ve seen Optics and Design (O&D) and Macrodata Refinement (MDR), the new cast could populate other rumored departments like "The Perpetuity Wing" or "Testing." New 'innies' would provide new perspectives on the severance experience and Lumon’s control. Alia Shawkat’s character, Gwendolyn Y., might be a direct link to this.
• The 'Outie' World: The biggest threat to Lumon is the collective memory of the 'outies.' New characters in the 'outie' world—perhaps journalists, activists, or government regulators—could be introduced to investigate the corporation. Merritt Wever's casting, given her history of playing strong investigative characters, aligns well with this possibility.
• Security and Containment: Following the 'Overtime Contingency' breach, Lumon will undoubtedly tighten its security. Gwendoline Christie’s character, Lorne, confirmed as a Lumon employee, could be a new, formidable head of security, replacing or augmenting Milchick’s role in containing the rebellious 'innies.'

The return of the core cast alongside this impressive lineup of new talent sets the stage for a season that is bigger, more complex, and more terrifying than the first. The January 17, 2025 premiere date marks the moment when the 'innies' and 'outies' of the world will finally learn the true cost of their separation and the true power of Lumon Industries. The questions surrounding Ms. Casey’s identity as Gemma, the purpose of the macrodata, and the ultimate goal of the severance procedure are all on the table, promising a deep dive into the show's rich, unsettling lore.