See Tramell Tillman (Milchick) Lead Marching Band at ‘Severance’ Panel

The innie world collided with the outies Friday at a Severance season finale panel as Tramell Tillman — who plays Mr. Milchick on the acclaimed series — made a grand entrance leading a marching band into Los Angeles’ Dolby Theater.

At the PaleyFest Friday, Severance’s main cast and creative team took the stage to discuss the Season 2 finale, with Tillman one notable exception, as host Ben Schwartz pointed out. However, the actor soon emerged from the wings with the USC marching band, to the delight of the packed audience.

For fans of the show — spoilers ahead! — the moment was a nod to the Season 2 finale where Milchick celebrated Mark S.’ completion of “Cold Harbor” by having Lumon’s Choreography and Merriment department’s marching band rapturously burst into the darkened office.

“We oftentimes lead with crazy,” creator Dan Erickson told Rolling Stone in his post-finale interview. “We’ll put something in there because it tickles us and makes us excited. Something that would throw us off if we were watching the show. But that is immediately followed up with, ‘OK, can we justify it within this show?’” (When asked if Lumon has the resources to devote an entire department to a marching band, Erickson said, “Correct.”)

Even before Severance’s second season premiered, the show staged a life-imitating-art moment when some of the principal actors (including Adam Scott, Britt Lower and Patricia Arquette) turned New York’s Grand Central Station into Microdata Refinement.

Following the Season 2 finale, Apple TV+ announced that Severance would return for a third season; hopefully, it will arrive sooner than the three-year wait before Seasons 1 and 2.