Beyond its engrossing sci-fi storylines and outstanding performances, Severance has hit a chord with queer viewers for its beautiful gay romance. In Season 1 of the hit Apple TV+ series, severed employees Irving (John Turturro) and Burt (Christopher Walken) found forbidden love while at work, and in the currently airing Season 2, viewers are on the edges of their seats wondering if the two will somehow reconnect.
Now, in a recent interview, Turturro spoke out on why Walken made the perfect love interest, and why casting him as Burt was Turturro’s idea.
Speaking to Esquire, Turturro first sang the praises of the entire Severance crew. “I think the cast is terrific. I think Ben is really a strong director and we’ve gotten to know each other, learned how to work with each other well,” he said. “And of course, I love working with Chris, so that’s a real cherry on top of the cake. That was my idea, and I’m really happy I had that idea.”
“My thinking was, ‘Who could I fall in love with?’” Turturro continued. “I worked with Chris many times, I’ve directed him. When there’s someone you can laugh with and have fun with, that’s a form of love, really. You just get someone, and they get you. You know what I mean? I love Chris. He’s a beautiful guy. We have so much fun.”
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Turturro went on, listing some of Walken’s best qualities that show why falling in love with him on screen was hardly a challenge.
“He’s also [a] very vulnerable person. He’s a very open person. He’s got an imagination, like a real big imagination. And he’s not always the same, he spins it different ways,” he said. “People imitate him, but he has big range as an actor and he has beautiful delicacy. There are things he’s done that have been really delicate and things that have been really scary. And he’s a great dancer. People who can dance that way, there’s something very joyful about it. They give you joy. And I like being not the oldest person on the show.”
Severance fans celebrated Turturro’s comments, thanking him for bringing “old man yaoi” to the show.
New episodes of Severance release on Apple TV+ on Fridays at 3 a.m. ET. Check out the Season 2 trailer below.
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