EXCLUSIVE: Jessica Lee Gagné, one of the breakout talents behind Apple TV+’s pop culture sensation Severance, has taken on new reps at Sugar23 and CAA at a pivotal moment in her career.
Recently making her directorial debut on Severance Season 2 with Episode 7, “Chikhai Bardo,” Gagné began her journey with the show as the cinematographer of the entire first season. For the uninitiated, the show is a corporate thriller following employees at the shadowy Lumon Industries, who undergo a procedure that splits their consciousness in two. Their work selves, or “Innies,” have no concept of their lives beyond the confines of Lumon, while their outer world (or “Outie”) selves are oblivious to what goes on at work.
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Garnering rave reviews when it premiered late last month, the Gagné-directed “Chikhai Bardo” offers new insight into both the past and present of Lumon employee Mark S. (Adam Scott), as well as his wife Gemma (Dichen Lachman), who he believed up till recently was dead, but turns out to be at the center of Lumon’s plans. While helping to unravel some of the show’s mysteries, the episode takes Severance‘s visuals to new heights of ambition with a oner discussed across the internet, which it’s hard to believe was executed entirely in the absence of CGI. In addition to directing, Gagné shot the episode herself and will be submitting it for awards consideration this season, we’ve learned.
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Heading into Season 2 of Severance, Gagné was also elevated to a producer role in recognition of her exceptional contributions to the series. Lensing six of this season’s 10 episodes, she came to collaborate on the series with director and executive producer Ben Stiller after working as his DP on his Emmy-nominated Showtime miniseries Escape at Dannemora. He’s been a consistent champion of her work ever since, taking to X last month to salute her “brilliant directorial debut.”
With over 15 years as a cinematographer under her belt, Gagné has also previously shot Mrs. America, the Emmy Award-winning limited series from FX, as well as numerous music videos and films that have been recognized at prestigious festivals like Cannes and Berlin. Notable feature titles include All Day and a Night and Sweet Virginia. For the artist, film is in the DNA, having grown up spending summers working at the video stores of her father in her hometown of Quebec City.
Severance surpassed Ted Lasso upon its Season 2 launch to become Apple’s most watched series ever, and was recently picked up for Season 3. Stay tuned to find out what else Gagné has in store.