Patricia Arquette Reflects on ‘Lost Highway’ and ‘Severance’ Return

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Patricia Arquette, the Academy Award-winning actress known for her roles in “Severance” and “Lost Highway,” opened up about her transformative experiences working with director David Lynch and the anticipation surrounding the second season of Apple TV+’s hit series “Severance.” The show, which delves into the sci-fi extremes of work-life balance, returns for its ten-episode second season on January 17, 2025.

Arquette, who earned an Emmy nomination for her portrayal of the enigmatic Harmony Cobel, shared her thoughts on the series’ unique production challenges and its resonance with audiences. “I don’t really carry characters with me, or I try very hard not to, but ‘Severance’ is different,” Arquette told IndieWire. “Whenever people ask me about playing Harmony Cobel or ‘Severance,’ this little thing comes into my mind, and I just want to lie to them.”

The first season of “Severance” was filmed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, creating a dystopian atmosphere on set. “We wore plastic face shields and masks, and we were all separated,” Arquette recalled. “You couldn’t joke with anyone, so there was this kind of weird dystopian separation thing happening. At the time, I was thinking, ‘I don’t think anyone’s gonna want to watch this thing right now.’ I was very happily surprised when it connected with so many people.”

Fans have eagerly awaited the second season, with musician SZA famously demanding its release “right the fuck now” last May. Showrunner Ben Stiller responded with a playful acknowledgment, and the anticipation has only grown since. A recent teaser hinted at the dire consequences of tampering with the severance barrier, promising a deeper dive into the show’s unsettling themes.

Arquette drew parallels between the divided selves in “Severance” and her dual roles in Lynch’s 1997 film “Lost Highway.” In the film, she played both Renee, the suspicious wife of Bill Pullman‘s character, and Alice, a femme fatale. “As an actress, David doesn’t give you a lot of information,” Arquette said of Lynch’s directing style. “So I’d say, ‘David, am I playing two people? Is this one a ghost?’ And he’d say, ‘What do you think, Patrish?'”

Arquette described “Lost Highway” as a liberating yet challenging experience, particularly due to its exploration of misogyny and identity. “I decided we’re looking at women through the eyes of a misogynist, but one who is woke enough to know he shouldn’t think this way,” she explained. “It’s almost become a subconscious part of him.”

Reflecting on her career, Arquette acknowledged the bravery it took to pursue acting despite her shyness and personal struggles. “For me, it was actually an organized effort to become brave enough to act,” she said. “I’ve struggled with codependence in my life and trying to appease other people. Some people can be very assertive; I don’t have that kind of bravery.”

As “Severance” prepares to return, Arquette remains tight-lipped about what’s to come but expressed excitement for fans to see the new season. “I think there’s a lot of people that are severed all around us,” she said. “People having affairs are severed, people who are criminals and liars and even normal people can be severed in many, many ways. So I think that’s an interesting thing to look at. Maybe that resonates for a lot of people.”