Severance‘s Season 2 premiere let innies know that Lumon is listening, but it may let viewers know that a legendary A-List actor is listening, too…
Severance Season 2, Episode 1 spoilers ahead.
After a three-year wait, Severance Season 2, Episode 1, “Hello, Ms. Cobel,” delivered a slew of jaw-dropping surprises — from new characters like Miss Huang (Sarah Bock) to the promise of a friendly Severed Floor thanks to Lumon’s new “Severance Reform.” But one of the premiere’s most unexpected twists may be that Keanu Reeves — beloved Speed, The Matrix, John Wick, Bill & Ted, and (never forget) Something’s Gotta Give star — made a delightful cameo as the voice of Lumon’s Administrative Building in the “Lumon Is Listening” video.
Around 26 minutes into the Season 2 premiere, Mark (Adam Scott), Helly (Britt Lower), Dylan (Zach Cherry), and Irving (John Turturro) sit down in the redecorated Break Room watch a new HR training video that Milchick (Tramell Tillman) claims will be shown to every innie who sets foot in the building. The three-minute long stop-motion masterpiece from animator Duke Johnson kicks off with a friendly-looking cartoon Lumon building introducing itself. Some viewers intensely focusing on the hilarious animation didn’t give much thought to the smooth, distinct sounding voice, but fans of Reeves — especially those familiar with his voice acting in projects like Sonic the Hedgehog 3 — wondered if he was the one spewing Lumon’s latest corporate bullshit.
Apple has yet to officially confirm the cameo (a rep was unable to share further information when Decider reached out), there’s no voice listed in the end credits, and though Ben Stiller and Adam Scott discuss the video on the January 17 episode of The Severance Podcast they conveniently don’t address the voiceover. But go back and listen to the scene yourself. It’s giving Keanu, right?!
In a recent interview with /Film, Severance creator Dan Erickson had this to say when asked about Reeves’ uncredited appearance: “I certainly have no idea what you could be talking about. I’m not actually familiar with that actor…Is that the guy from The Lake House?” Very coy, Erickson. Verrrrrry coy.
Anyway, we’ll be sure to update this article when we know more, but while we wait for someone to officially reveal who voices the cheery building, let’s listen to what it actually says. “Oh hi, you probably don’t recognize me from this angle. I’m the Lumon Administrative Building, Branch 501, and you’re sitting in me right now. The name’s a mouthful — or as I say, a doorful — so you can just call me Lumon,” the animated building explains. “I’ve gone through a lot of changes since my siring here in 1870, but one thing I’ve always had is a love for my workers, both unsevered and severed. Not to brag, but my basement floor is one of the premiere severed workspaces in the 206 countries from which Lumon operates.”
After a quick joke about no running in the halls (running tickles!), the Lumon building — addresses the MDR rebelling, known within the company as “The Macrodat Uprising,” saying, “Under my literal nose unfolded a human drama of danger and intrigue, righteous anger, inspiration, and love. The Macrodat Uprising yielded bounteous reforms. These include tasty new snacks like fruit leather, cut beans, Christmas mints, and salsa. Not sold yet? The incentives were also reformed and now range from hall passes to pineapple bobbing to our brand new playful mirror room.”
After cycling through some fun and deeply odd new perks, the voice strikes a more serious tone. “You know, it’s funny. I’ve sat by this reflective pool my whole life, yet it took the quiet courage of four MDR heroes to show me who I really am…I thank Kier for them. I thank Kier for the Macrodat Uprising,” the animated Lumon building concludes.
As for who voices the Water Tower and delivered the iconic line, “They made quite a splash,” Saturday Night Live star Sarah Sherman is credited at the end of the episode.
If Reeves did make the cameo, hardcore Severance fans know that this isn’t the show’s first iconic (or uncredited) voiceover. In Season 1, Episode 8, director/EP Ben Stiller voiced the animated video of Kier Eagan that praised Helly after she completed her refinement and told IndieWire, “…When we were editing, I just recorded it as a [temporary track]. And then I think Dan and everyone were all like, “OK, maybe we should just keep it in there.”
With nine episodes to go, we’re sure there are plenty more Severance Season 2 surprises still to come, so buckle up, keep your eyes peeled, and praise Kier that the hit series is finally back.
New episodes of Severance Season 2 premiere Fridays on Apple TV+.
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