Helena Eagan and HellyR. are fictional characters portrayed by
Britt Lower
Brittney Leigh Lower (; born August 2, 1985) is an American actress. She is best known for her roles in the crime drama series ''Unforgettable'' (2011–2014), the romantic comedy series '' Man Seeking Woman'' (2015–2017), and the sci-fi serie ...
in the
Apple TV+
Apple TV+ is an American subscription over-the-top streaming service owned by Apple. The service launched on November 1, 2019, and it offers a selection of original production film and television series called Apple Originals. The service w ...
series '' Severance''. ''Severance'' follows employees at the
biotechnology
Biotechnology is a multidisciplinary field that involves the integration of natural sciences and Engineering Science, engineering sciences in order to achieve the application of organisms and parts thereof for products and services. Specialists ...
corporation Lumon Industries that have undergone "severance"—a medical procedure that ensures they retain no memories of the outside world while at work and have no recollection of their job once they leave. This results in two distinct personalities for each employee: the "innie", who exists solely within Lumon, and the "outie", who lives their personal life outside of work.
Helly R. is one of the series' major
protagonists
A protagonist () is the main character of a story. The protagonist makes key decisions that affect the plot, primarily influencing the story and propelling it forward, and is often the character who faces the most significant obstacles. If a ...
, introduced as a rebellious and defiant employee of Lumon Industries, and later becomes a love interest to
Mark S
Mark may refer to:
In the Bible
* Mark the Evangelist (5–68), traditionally ascribed author of the Gospel of Mark
* Gospel of Mark, one of the four canonical gospels and one of the three synoptic gospels
Currencies
* Mark (currency), a currenc ...
. A major
plot twist
A plot twist is a literary technique that introduces a radical change in the direction or expected outcome of the plot in a work of fiction. When it happens near the end of a story, it is known as a twist ending or surprise ending. It may change ...
in the series reveals her "outie" personality to be Helena Eagan; one of the overarching
antagonists
An antagonist is a character in a story who is presented as the main enemy or rival of the protagonist and is often depicted as a villain.breakout stars.
Overview
Helena is a descendant of Lumon company founder Kier Eagan and grew up with her father, Lumon CEO Jame Eagan.
Loyal to the Lumon corporation, she decided to undergo the severance procedure. She awakes on the severed floor with no memories, and is unhappy working as a severed employee. Called "HellyR." on the severed floor, she rebels against the company, initially unaware that she is the daughter of the CEO and in a high position at the company. She makes several attempts to permanently leave the floor, including a suicide attempt.
After the MDR team's use of the overtime contingency to activate the severance chip outside of Lumon, she decides to block her severed chip, retaining her personal memories on the severed floor while pretending to retain only her work memories as "HellyR." She is discovered by colleague Irving B. who attempts to drown her until Milchick agrees to unblock her chip.
Development
According to Erickson, the idea of HellyR. being an Eagan was something that came up in the writers' room and according to Erickson, "Once that idea came up, it was just sort of too delicious not to pursue." Erickson elaborated, "What's the ultimate nightmare for someone like Helly? It would be to find out that the devil is you. That it's not
Mark
Mark may refer to:
In the Bible
* Mark the Evangelist (5–68), traditionally ascribed author of the Gospel of Mark
* Gospel of Mark, one of the four canonical gospels and one of the three synoptic gospels
Currencies
* Mark (currency), a currenc ...
, or Milchick, or Cobel keeping you here, it was you. And not only that but you're keeping everyone here. It was just so fascinating to think about how that would affect her."
Britt Lower researched
amnesia
Amnesia is a deficit in memory caused by brain damage or brain diseases,Gazzaniga, M., Ivry, R., & Mangun, G. (2009) Cognitive Neuroscience: The biology of the mind. New York: W.W. Norton & Company. but it can also be temporarily caused by t ...
in order to learn about "the emotional experience of forgetting the parts of your life that make you who you are."
Reception
Michael Walsh of ''Nerdist'' described both versions of the character as being "trapped", writing that though Eagan told her Innie in season1 that she was a person and her innie was not, "When Helena watched the security footage of Helly kissing Mark, we saw Helena realize she had it all backwards. HellyR. is a person.... She might be trapped on Lumon’s severed floor, but she’s free to be herself.... Helena, though, is not even a person. She is nothing more than a tool used without concern by a global conglomerate. She is so bound in service to Lumon she let the company split her mind in two."