Sissy remains one of the most memorable characters in Severance despite her brief appearance: Here’s why

Severance is counted among the most iconic television shows of recent times, thanks to its out-of-the-box concept and intriguing characters.

The Apple TV+ series revolves around the employees of Lumon Industries, who are a part of an experiment where their work and personal lives’ memories are segregated using a chip.

In the second season, Celestine "Sissy" Cobel, played by Jane Alexander, is introduced in the show. She is the aunt of Harmony Cobel, a manager at Lumon. Though Sissy makes an appearance in only one episode of the psychological thriller, she leaves a lasting impression on the audience.

Sissy remains a memorable character in Severance, as she brings out the Cobel family history, which had not been explored before. Meanwhile, she also represents how Lumon influences not only its employees but also their families and relationships.

Who is Sissy in Severance?

Celestine “Sissy” Cobel is featured in Severance Season 2, Episode 8, Sweet Vitriol. She is the sister of Charlotte Cobel and the aunt of Harmony Cobel. Sissy lives alone in the worn-down coastal town of Salt’s Neck. She is completely devoted to Lumon and its founder, Kier Eagan.

She still follows the company’s Nine Core Principles, even though Lumon’s old ether mill is the reason why Salt’s Neck fell apart. The mill damaged the town’s economy and health, leaving many residents bitter toward Lumon. But Sissy refuses to turn against the company.

This loyalty makes her an outsider in her own town. She lives far from other people, in a house with no electricity, surrounded by reminders of her service to Lumon. Her faith in Lumon is almost like a religion, showing how the company can control people’s beliefs for life.

Meanwhile, she has a strained relationship with Harmony. Sissy says Harmony could have ‘blossomed’ under her guidance, but calls her a disappointment instead. The root of their conflict lies in their family history. Charlotte, Harmony’s mother, did not believe in Lumon’s teachings and constantly argued with Sissy about it.

At the same time, the cause of Charlotte’s death is still a topic of debate between the aunt and her niece. They do not trust each other, as Harmony believes Sissy removed Charlotte’s breathing tube, leading to her death, but Sissy says Charlotte did it herself.

What makes Sissy a memorable character in Severance

What makes Sissy so memorable is how much she tells us about Severance’s world without being a main character. She is like a living piece of Lumon’s history. Through her, we see how the company damages both communities and families. The industry makes sure its believers stay loyal to it, even if they have to go against their families.

Even though she is only seen in one episode, Sissy adds a new dimension to the show’s story. Jane Alexander, who played the role in Severance, talked about her character and her dynamics with Harmony in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter and said:

“What I liked, which I found revelatory about our scenes together, was that my character is not still. She’s got this volatility in her, and it told me a lot about what had happened to that young woman [Harmony] growing up.”

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Severance Seasons 1 and 2 are streaming on Apple TV+.

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