There are plenty of great things to talk about when it comesSeverance,but easily one of the most talked-about elements of Season 2 has been the deeply unsettling performance bySydney Cole Alexanderin her role as Lumon employee Natalie. Her eerie, occasionally wavering smile, which hints at something much darker beneath the surface, has captivated viewers each time she’s on-screen. Ona recent episode ofThe Severance PodcastwithBen Stiller&Adam Scott, Alexander opened up about the origins of her now-iconic smile and shed light on the subtle nuances behind her performance as Natalie.
Alexander also shared how nervous she was during her auditionwith the respected actor and director, initially thinking she had bombed it. Of course, she landed the role, which now marks one of her first major TV gigs. What many viewers may not know is that the now-iconic smile, a signature element of her character,was inspired by a past commercial Alexander starred in— where her bright, pearly whites were front and center.
Director Ben Stiller Saw Sydney Cole Alexander in a Crest Commercial Before Casting Her in ‘Severance’
While speaking to Stiller and Scott, Sydney Cole Alexander revealed that her appearance in a Crest commercial played a significant role in shaping her character’s iconic smile. Stiller had seen the commercial before her audition and,on one of her first days on set, encouraged her to lean into her “Crest smile.“As Alexander recalls, the smile just grew bigger and more pronounced, and she had no idea that this commercial experience would so deeply influence her portrayal of Natalie, a role she’s incredibly proud of. Typically associated with a bright, friendly expression, this smile takes on a darker, unnerving twist inSeverance. Stiller quickly recognized its potential as a manipulation tactic, one that Natalie could use at Lumon to maintain control and mask her true feelings.
While Alexander’s smile is undoubtedly beautiful, it has transformedinto something far more sinisterthan just a simple gesture of warmth. Over time, the smile has evolved into a symbol of control, insincerity, and discomfort, conveying a sense of unease to the audience.By exaggerating the smile almost to the point of being unnatural, Alexander captures Natalie’s duality, and in many ways, the themes ofSeverance— a perfectly polished exterior thatmasks a deeper agenda. As one of the human representatives of Lumon, Natalie’s smile has leaned into the psychological horror ofSeverance, which has been compared to the memorable performance byBetty Gabrielin the horror filmGet Out.
In speaking about why Natalie’s smile resonates so deeply with viewers, Stiller also explained that Alexander’s portrayal of Natalie embodiesthe contradictions of corporate life. She perfectly captures the façade of kindness and empathy while simultaneously revealing a lack of genuine sympathy,prioritizing her closeness to the Board over authentic human connection. Natalie’s ambition is clear — she’s determined to get ahead and maintain her status, a drive most evident in her scenes with Harmony Cobel (Patricia Arquette) and the ever-present Board speaking into her ear.
This Lumon Employee Is the Most Unsettling Part of ‘Severance’ Season 2
Sydney Cole Alexander is fantastic in her role as the public-facing voice of the mysterious and sinister Lumon Board.
Natalie’s Smile Has a Deeper Meaning in ‘Severance’
Through this transformation, Alexander’s portrayal of Natalie becomes one ofSeverance’s most unsettling figures, embodying the tension between conformity and deception. This subtle yet chilling trait adds significant depth to theshow’s exploration of control and psychological manipulation.In the Season 2 episode"Who is Alive?”, this manipulation became even more evident in one ofSeverance’s most disturbing scenes, as Natalie’s interactions with Mr. Milchick (Tramell Tillman) highlight thedarker undertones of racism at Lumon.
When Milchick receives the blackface art, a gift that is meant to be received graciously,Alexander’s nuanced performance begins to peel back the layersof Natalie’s perfect exterior,revealing subtle cracks in the façade. OnThe Severance Podcast, Alexander explained her approach to this scene, noting that her character is empathetic, making her great at manipulating, but lacks sympathy. In moments where she starts to feel sympathetic, she pushes down to maintain her status in the company. The subtle changes in her face, especially for a less-experienced actor, are nothing short of impressive.
These fleeting moments of vulnerability add depth to Natalie, making her one of the season’s most compelling figures. It will be interesting to see whether she becomes one of the Lumon employeeswho start to recognize the dark side of the companyand begins to resist. Regardless of the direction Natalie’s character takes,Alexander’s work onSeverancehas earned well-deserved praisefor her significant impact on the season. It’s always funto hear behind-the-scenes insights,and even better to hear the immense respect she’s garnered from Stiller and Scott,who have consistently praised her performance. As Alexander reflects, she never imagined that a toothpaste commercial — something many actors might downplay in the overall scope of their careers — would influence her portrayal of such an unforgettable and unsettling character.
