They’re All Mine!

by

[This story contains spoilers from season two, episode three of Severance, “Who Is Alive?”]

In a former life, Gwendoline Christie was the greatest knight in Westeros. Nowadays, this experienced actor from ‘Game of Thrones’ is the top goat tamer on ‘Severance’.

Distanced by several seasons from her role in “Game of Thrones”, Christie now plays Lorne, a mysterious character controlling Lumon’s enigmatic goats within their corrupt corporation. The reason for the numerous goats scattered across the Severed floor of Lumon remains unanswered, sparking curiosity among fans of “Severance” since these animals first appeared on the show about three years ago. This is a fascinating query that viewers have been eager to find an answer to.

Previously, Mark and Helly (Adam Scott and Britt Lower) chanced upon the initial goat, cradled in the arms of a man who seemed sad about letting it go. In the second season, however, they encounter the same duo stumbling upon a field teeming with goats instead, accompanied by an entire team looking after them, overseen by Lorne, a motherly figure taking care of these goats and their attendants with pride.

As a devoted fan, I’ve been left puzzled about Lorne and the significance of those goats in “Severance”. The third episode of season two didn’t offer much clarity on this intriguing mystery, instead heightening the dreamlike atmosphere surrounding it. By the end of the season, we should gain a better understanding of the goats’ role. In the meantime, let’s delve deeper into Christie’s journey in acquiring her herd, as the Emmy-nominated star from “Thrones” shares insights with The Hollywood Reporter about her foray into the world of “Severance”.

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Were you a Severance fan before you joined the show?

I absolutely love this TV show; it’s currently my number one choice. Before its premiere, I had a chance to meet Ben Stiller who mentioned a series he was involved in, and it piqued my interest. However, nothing could have prepared me for the first viewing. The opening scene of Helly R on the table was incredibly bold, simple, yet essential, strange, and thought-provoking. It left so many questions unanswered and immediately disturbed me in an intangible way. I was instantly captivated. The acting is exceptional, and the narrative is unlike anything I’ve experienced before. We’re drawn into a world that’s unfamiliar, unpredictable, yet strangely familiar, where the rules aren’t clearly defined. There’s a lot of ambiguity and, best of all, an abundance of mystery.

Oh, I thought you were going to say “an enormous amount of goats.”

There is a phenomenal amount of goats. (Laughs) And they’re all mine!

As someone in my role, I need to closely examine all the enigmas presented in Severance, and among these puzzles, none are more intriguing than the goats to me. How much consideration did the goats receive from your perspective when you were watching season one?

I couldn’t get enough of them; they were my most cherished aspect of the series. The first time I heard the goat’s cries, I found myself grinning ear to ear and perhaps even slapping my thigh in delight. I recall thinking, “Impressive! You’ve pushed the boundaries even further here.” It’s an unusual, natural, mysterious, and unsettling aspect that had me captivated. Whenever they inquired if I’d like to participate in the show, I secretly hoped it would involve the goats.

Hope pays off! Tell me more about them asking you join the show?

I held a meeting with Ben over Zoom while I was in Scotland’s breathtaking Cairngorms region, during the summer. In our conversation, he proposed that I play the character Lorne, who manages the goats. My reaction was one of sheer joy, as it was a role I had been eagerly anticipating. Despite trying to maintain a professional demeanor, I couldn’t help but let out a scream of delight. This character and the show’s goat-centric aspect were exactly what I had yearned for, and I found myself brimming with curiosity about them. As soon as I accepted the role, I felt an overwhelming sense of protective affection towards those goats. Driving through the expansive landscapes dotted with sheep and vast skies, I felt like I was embarking on a journey into the world of Lorne.

What did that voyage look like, as you prepared for the role?

After learning a bit about the character’s traits, I often step aside to ponder deeply and observe carefully, as is my usual habit. It struck me that she seems quite a hands-on person due to her work with animals. To gain insights, I reached out to friends who are sheep farmers, bombarding them with questions about goats (they found it rather amusing, I must say). I also delved into numerous books on the subject and spent hours observing goats in the countryside. All this was to familiarize myself with the animals and the rural environment that she interacts with daily. The process of developing her inner and outer aspects was incredibly enriching for me, and it led to the delivery of various scenes and portrayals of her character.

You refer to “inner and outer,” however, all we’ve encountered is the “innie.” Have you given thought to “Outie Lorne” considering our current experiences?

Approximately 300 million hours is what the show has amassed. The allure of its mysterious nature, coupled with my personal fandom and eagerness to explore it, provided them with an opportunity for privacy, which I wholeheartedly respected. However, they graciously offered me insights that I required. Furthermore, as any actor would, I pondered about the characters’ backgrounds and engaged in a brief, delightful discussion with Dan Erickson regarding this. It was like a game of yes or no, where I asked if certain thoughts were acceptable, to which he responded appropriately. Essentially, it was an intriguing mystery wrapped within another, offering layer upon layer of captivating intrigue.

Did you have a favorite goat and if so, who?

Initially, I had three goats. I assigned them unique names: Baby, who was surprisingly large; Bambi, an exceptionally striking goat with oversized eyes and long eyelashes; and Size, a tiny and agile one that seemed extremely content, receiving numerous treats and delighting in nibbling on my costumes. While filming these scenes, goats were scattered all around, creating an oddly charming and unforgettable experience in my life.

During one particularly remarkable instance in our performance, Adam Scott, who was simply outstanding, struggled to maintain his composure as a goat kept pecking at his ear. He apologized, “I’m sorry, there’s a goat nibbling at my ear, I can’t continue,” and his performance was truly divine. However, it was Britt who really shone in that situation. She managed to keep a completely straight face despite a goat nibbling on her ankles throughout the scene.

However, during the filming of one particular scene, Lorne displayed an unusually stern demeanor. In the midst of this seriousness, there was an unexpected interruption – a goat had wandered beneath the desk and started nibbling at my skirt! Despite the distraction, I managed to maintain composure. It was a charming incident, indeed. And it seemed the goats were content, surrounded by attendants who kept them under control. They were affectionate creatures, often approaching me as I moved around the set. I had some treats in my pocket, which attracted the goats and made them follow me. They even climbed onto me at times. It was a charming experience, truly enchanting.

It must have been extraordinary to play those scenes on such an elaborate set.

I found it utterly amazing, even as a die-hard fan of the show, I couldn’t hide my enthusiasm. I just can’t play it cool when it comes to things that excite me. I was overjoyed to be there. It was like a blend of nature and man-made structures, a golf course, but enclosed in a massive tent with lights, truly extraordinary! And naturally, I couldn’t help myself from messing around with the Lumon vending machines!

Wait, they’re real? Are there actually shriveled raisins?

From my perspective, everything in the series feels authentic. To put it simply, every aspect of it is real, and your presence as an actor just enhances this feeling. You can trust the world portrayed, but what sets this show apart is its exceptional attention to detail. The creativity on display is highly polished, yet extravagant, meticulously crafted, and intricate. It’s a fascinating blend of absurdity and believability, naturalism, and conflict. I believe that’s what makes it stand out from other television shows and keeps us captivated by its magic.

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As a gaming enthusiast diving into the world of Severance, I’m thrilled to share that we’re currently streaming episodes one through three of season two. Every new episode drops on Fridays, exclusively on Apple TV+. Keep up with the unfolding mysteries by following along with THR’s intriguing updates.

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2025-02-03 22:55