Severance isn’t your typical car show; instead, it’s a haunting sci-fi drama that artfully blends humor with terror while focusing deeply on its characters. Set primarily in a mysterious office building that evokes a 1970s aesthetic, the series presents a unique narrative that unfolds in close quarters. Despite its intimate setting, the show's exceptional car casting has sparked engaging discussions among fans and critics alike since Season 2 premiered in January. To dive deeper into the significance of the vehicles featured in Severance, we spoke with the show’s prop master, Catherine Miller, and car supervisor, Peter Dancy. This article will provide an interesting perspective on how cars are utilized to enhance the storytelling in this innovative series, all without revealing any major spoilers for those still catching up on the show.
Everything about Severance aims to disorient the viewer, a design choice that mirrors the characters’ own confusion. One of the most effective methods the show employs to achieve this is through its carefully selected car casting. Vehicles are powerful symbols that can immediately signify a time period, and the producers intentionally avoided modern cars to maintain an ambiguous temporal setting. This decision led to the inclusion of intriguing and seemingly random automotive selections that serve as ‘characters’ in their own right.
“Cars are so integral to a character and a story; they immediately identify time and place,” explained Miller. The aesthetic of Severance is complex, representing two distinct worlds: the 'innie' realm inside the enigmatic Lumon building and the 'outie' world outside it. The producers aimed for the cars in the latter to evoke a sense of nostalgia while remaining non-specific to any era. “We wanted the cars to have a timeless feel, suggesting they could belong to any time period without being tied to modernity,” Miller added. This nostalgia enhances the show’s eerie atmosphere, making the audience feel just as lost as the characters.
So, how does the car selection process work for a show like Severance? It all begins with the script. Dan Erickson, the writer and creator, crafted a world filled with intricate yet focused characters, and it’s from this script that the car choices emerge. Dancy approaches the selection process as if he’s casting characters, aiming to find vehicles that visually resonate with each character's personality and narrative arc. “When I read a script, I start envisioning what kind of car the character would drive,” he explained. “It’s like visual casting.”
Once potential vehicles are identified, the production team would review different options in person. Key members, including director Ben Stiller and cinematographer Jessica Lee Gagne, would weigh in on how each car could be captured on camera. Every detail, from the car’s body shape to its headrest design, was meticulously considered during this selection process, ensuring that the chosen vehicles fit seamlessly into the show's aesthetic.
Unlike typical vehicle sourcing methods, Dancy employed unique strategies to find cars for the show. “I often found vehicles on Facebook Marketplace or even left business cards on cars I liked parked on the street,” he recounted. His commitment to sourcing cars led him on extensive road trips, sometimes covering 600 to 700 miles a week to acquire duplicates of the chosen vehicles. “I live in New Hampshire, which is about six hours from New York City. Finding cars in junkyards or private sales became a regular part of my routine,” Dancy explained.
After acquiring the cars, the next challenge was to ensure they were mechanically sound and visually consistent. This included matching paint colors, wheel styles, and even interior decorations. “We have to maintain continuity across different scenes, so every detail is replicated with precision,” Miller stated. The limited background cars used in the show also went through a similar vetting process to ensure a cohesive visual presentation.
The choice of vehicles in Severance is deeply tied to the characters they represent. For instance, Mark Scout, portrayed by Adam Scott, drives a 1990s Volvo, symbolizing his sensible nature. “We gravitated toward the idea of a Volvo because it’s boxy and safe, reflecting his personality and backstory,” Miller explained. For Dylan, played by Zach Cherry, a classic Dodge Caravan was chosen to represent his role as a family man, while Devon, Mark's sister, drives a sophisticated Range Rover, aligning with her status as a grounded yet affluent character.
Interestingly, each character's vehicle adds another layer to their story. Seth Milchick, played by Tramell Tillman, rides a motorcycle to enhance his enigmatic persona. Meanwhile, Helena, portrayed by Britt Lower, drives a vintage 1968 Lincoln Continental purely for aesthetic appeal, showcasing the show's emphasis on visual storytelling.
In Severance, the cars are not merely modes of transportation; they act as extensions of the characters, enhancing the series' distinctive atmosphere. The meticulous selection process invites viewers to ponder the deeper connections between the vehicles and the narratives they support. While the cars may seem like an afterthought in a show primarily set indoors, their presence significantly contributes to the storytelling and overall experience.
For fans intrigued by the art of car casting or have insights into vehicle choices in other shows and movies, feel free to reach out at tips@thedrive.com.
