Even celebrities aren’t immune to the gripping, and sometimes maddening, cliffhangers of Apple TV+’s hit series Severance. Actress Kristen Bell, a self-professed avid fan alongside her husband Dax Shepard, has taken her intense reactions directly to one of the show’s stars, Adam Scott.
Bell recently shared her Severance-induced frustration during a conversation with Adam Scott for Variety, revealing her unique method of coping with the show’s tense endings.
Why the Cliffhangers Are ‘Biologically Frustrating’
Kristen Bell, 44, didn’t mince words when describing the effect of Severance‘s structure. Speaking to her friend of over 20 years, Scott, 52, who plays lead character Mark S., Bell explained her reaction to the show’s signature ending style.
“The endings to every episode of Severance are so biologically frustrating,” Bell stated. She elaborated on the intensity, questioning, “I don’t know how you guys expect anyone to sleep after an episode with that level of a cliffhanger.” This sentiment resonates with many viewers who feel deeply invested in the mysteries of Lumon Industries and the severed floor.
Their Unique Way of Complaining
Finding sleep difficult after an episode, Bell and Shepard developed a direct line to express their fandom and frustration: sending detailed voice memos to Adam Scott.
Bell explained their strategy: “So what Dax and I tend to do is, when we see someone whose work we love or whose work frustrates us — as in your case — we leave you a nice, long, detailed, unedited voice memo.” She confirmed that Scott has received “a lot of those.”
Scott confirmed receiving the deluge of messages, describing them as “hilarious and deeply flattering, but also deeply insulting.” He added that he has kept all the voice memos, highlighting the playful yet pointed nature of the couple’s feedback.
Hilarious Examples of Fan Mail
The comedic duo didn’t hold back in their messages, often mimicking the show’s own suspenseful style.
Bell recalled her favorite voice memo from Dax Shepard: “Hey, Adam. Kristen just fell out of a two-story window. I bet you’d like to know how she’s doing. I’ll tell you next week!” This theatrical message perfectly mirrored the show’s frustrating but effective cliffhanger technique.
Scott also shared another memorable message, this one focused on the agonizing wait for Severance Season 2. “Or the one where you guys called while we were in the middle of shooting Season 2 and just said, ‘Hey, just curious, are you guys shooting this one minute per week? Why is it taking so f—king long?’” Bell echoed the sentiment during their chat, interjecting with a plea for the show’s return.
Jokingly, Scott retorted that their impatience might actually be counterproductive. “Just because you guys left that message,” he quipped, “it’s now going to take seven years for the next season.”
More Than Just Celebrity Banter
While a humorous anecdote between friends, this exchange underscores the profound impact Severance‘s deliberate pacing and intense cliffhangers have on its audience. Bell and Shepard’s method of channeling their frustration into playful, direct messages to one of the show’s stars offers a relatable glimpse into the intense anticipation and emotional investment viewers have in the series. Their vibrant reaction is a testament to the show’s success in captivating its audience, even if it leaves them unable to sleep or playfully demanding faster production.
