Britt Lower grabbed attention with her sharp take on Helly R in the Apple TV+ series Severance, where she split her time between a trapped office worker and a sharp-edged company heir. Her work there earned her the Emmy for lead actress in a drama on September 14, 2025, and fans keep turning to her other parts for that same mix of edge and heart. Lower, born in Heyworth, Illinois, on August 2, 1985, started with small TV spots after studying communication at Northwestern University. She joined improv groups like Upright Citizens Brigade, which shaped her quick timing in comedy and drama alike. Now, with roles that bounce from quirky tech experts to grieving librarians, her picks show off range that fits anyone hooked on her Severance fire.
Unforgettable (2011-2014)
Lower steps into the shoes of Tanya Sitkowsky, a tech-savvy specialist on a New York police squad in this CBS crime drama. Tanya handles gadgets and clues with a quirky streak that makes her stand out amid the chases and case files. The show follows ex-cop Carrie Wells, played by Poppy Montgomery, who recalls every sight she’s ever seen, as she cracks murders with her team.
Lower appears in 13 episodes across three seasons, bringing a dry wit to Tanya’s odd habits, like her love for gadgets over small talk. Fans of Helly’s no-nonsense pushback in Severance will spot the same spark here—Tanya digs into data like Helly questions her bosses.
“Tanya is quirky, and that gives you room to be a bit weird,” Lower said in a 2012 chat about the role.
The series mixes procedural plots with team banter, and Lower’s recurring spot lets her build Tanya into a reliable oddball. It aired from September 2011 to January 2014, pulling in steady viewers for its brainy twists. If you like Severance’s office tension, Tanya’s lab scenes feel like a lighter echo, full of clever solves and side-eye glances.
Man Seeking Woman (2015-2017)
In this FXX comedy, Lower plays Liz Greenberg, the loyal but fed-up sister to Jay Baruchel’s awkward guy Josh Greenberg. The show turns Josh’s dating woes into wild fantasies, like exes as monsters or blind dates as demons, while Liz grounds the chaos with eye-rolls and tough love.
Lower stars in all 30 episodes over three seasons, from January 2015 to May 2017, as Liz dates a parade of flops and calls out Josh’s mess. Her timing shines in scenes where Liz snaps at family dinners or drags Josh to bars—think Helly’s sarcasm but in a messy apartment. Creator Simon Rich praised her early audition, saying they cast her first to lock in that energy.
The series blends absurd sketches with real sibling jabs, earning a cult spot for its bold laughs. Lower’s Liz evolves from sidekick to full lead, facing breakups and career ruts with grit that mirrors Helly’s rebellion. Viewers who binged Severance for its weird office vibes will laugh at how Man Seeking Woman twists everyday fails into fever dreams.
High Maintenance (2016-2020)
Lower pops up as Eve in one episode of this HBO anthology, “Eve,” from the 2016 web-to-cable shift. The series follows a weed dealer, The Guy (Ben Sinclair), through New York clients’ lives, each story a slice of city oddity.
Eve hosts a dinner party that spirals into raw talks about life and loss, with Lower nailing the host’s mix of warmth and edge. Her scene steals the short runtime, showing Eve juggle friends and hidden pain—much like Helly’s buried fire under Lumon’s rules.
“High Maintenance lets you peek into lives without judgment,” Lower noted in a profile on her early gigs.
The show ran from 2012 online to 2020 on HBO, with 39 episodes total. Lower’s turn fits the anthology’s quick-hit style, where guests like her bring fresh layers. Severance fans drawn to Helly’s quiet breaks will connect with Eve’s party unravel, a tight look at how people crack under pressure.
Casual (2016)
Lower takes on Sarah Finn, a free-spirited aunt, in three episodes of this Hulu dramedy about siblings Valerie and Alex navigating love and family. Starring Michaela Watkins and Tommy Dewey, the show dives into modern hookups and therapy sessions with dry humor.
Sarah dates Alex briefly, sparking awkward family clashes, and Lower plays her as bold yet vulnerable—a vibe close to Helly’s bold stands. The second season, from June to August 2016, uses Sarah to poke at age-gap romance without easy punches.
Lower’s limited run still lands, with Sarah’s exit pushing Alex’s growth. Creator Zander Lehmann drew from real talks for the show’s honest edge. If Severance’s work-life split hooked you, Casual’s family tangles offer a funny flip, full of Lower’s quick shifts from charm to chaos.
Mr. Roosevelt (2017)
Lower shines as Celeste in this indie dramedy, the polished girlfriend to a comedian’s ex. Noël Wells directs and stars as Emily, who heads back to Austin after a family loss and crashes with her old flame Eric (Nick Thune) and his new girl Celeste.
Celeste comes off too perfect at first—yoga flows and green smoothies—but Lower layers in subtle cracks, like quiet doubts amid the tension. The film, out October 6, 2017, scores 100% on Rotten Tomatoes for its warm take on breakups and comebacks.
“Celeste seems healthy after Emily’s wild energy, but you wonder whose side you’re on,” a review noted on Lower’s balanced pull.
At 90 minutes, it’s a quick watch with Austin’s quirky scene as backdrop. Severance viewers who love Helly’s poise under fire will see echoes in Celeste’s calm facade, making this a cozy next step for Lower’s film side.
The Gifted Man (2011-2012)
In two episodes of this CBS medical drama, Lower plays Amber, a patient with a rare condition that tests the lead doctor’s ego. Patrick Wilson stars as Michael Holt, a hotshot surgeon haunted by his ex-wife’s ghost, as he learns empathy through cases.
Amber’s story arc pushes Holt to face his limits, and Lower brings a grounded plea to her bedside scenes—raw like Helly’s pleas to escape. The show aired from September 2011 to February 2012, blending supernatural nudges with hospital drama.
Lower’s brief role stands out for its emotional punch, showing her early knack for quiet intensity. Fans of Severance’s mind games will find Amber’s mystery a softer parallel, with Holt’s growth mirroring Mark’s slow wake-up.
Beside Still Waters (2014)
Lower leads as Laura in this slow-burn drama about a woman escaping city stress for a rural reset. Fresh off a breakup, Laura joins friends at a lakeside home, but old tensions bubble up amid hikes and heart-to-hearts. Ryan Eggold co-stars as her ex, adding layers to the group dynamic.
The film, released March 20, 2015, clocks in at 87 minutes and focuses on unspoken regrets over big action. Lower’s Laura simmers with unspoken hurt, much like Helly’s bottled rage—subtle stares say more than shouts.
Director Michael Prall drew from personal retreats for the script’s calm vibe. If Severance’s confined spaces felt tight, this open-air unwind offers Lower in a reflective mode, perfect for pondering character depths post-binge.
Darkest Miriam (2024)
Lower anchors this Canadian indie as Miriam Gordon, a Toronto librarian lost in grief after her dad’s death. Based on Martha Baillie’s novel, the film unfolds in the Allan Gardens library branch, where Miriam sorts books and dodges odd patrons until threatening letters and a new romance shake her routine.
Directed by Naomi Jaye, it hit theaters March 28, 2025, after opening the Canadian Film Festival. Lower’s Miriam moves through fog with small gestures—a book recommendation here, a hesitant smile there—that build to real hope. Her Canadian Screen nod for lead performance highlights the quiet pull.
“Lower brings a quiet intensity to Miriam, rooted in deep character work,” Jaye said on casting her post-Severance buzz.
At 100 minutes, it’s a gentle watch with Toronto’s library as a cozy trap. Helly fans will relate to Miriam’s slow break from isolation, trading office walls for stacks of stories.
American Horror Stories (2021)
Lower guests as a lead in the “Faggot” episode of this FX on Hulu anthology, a spin-off from American Horror Story. Set in 1970s West Hollywood, it follows a writer (Russell Tovey) clashing with his closeted ex (Michael Urie) amid rising threats to the gay community.
Lower’s role adds sharp tension to the period scares, blending fear with fierce loyalty—echoes of Helly’s stand against Lumon. The hour-long tale, from July 21, 2021, mixes history with horror, earning praise for its bold take.
Creator Ryan Murphy tapped Lower for her edge in tight spots. Severance lovers craving her in dark mode will dig this quick hit of retro chills and character clashes.
Future Man (2017)
In season one of this Hulu sci-fi comedy, Lower recurs as scientist Janis, a time-traveler aiding Josh Futturman (Josh Hutcherson) in saving the world from a virus. The show mashes video games with action, as Janis flips from ally to twisty foe.
Lower appears in four episodes from November 2017, bringing sly smarts to Janis’s lab coats and laser fights. Her shift from helper to wildcard feels like Helly’s hidden depths revealed.
“Janis is a great character to watch in the crude time-travel mess,” a fan post said on her fit.
The three-season run ended in 2020, but Lower’s arc stays a fun detour. If Severance’s future shocks clicked, Future Man’s goofy loops deliver Lower in high-stakes laughs.
I Will Find You (2025)
Lower stars as Rachel Mills in this Netflix mini-series based on Harlan Coben’s novel, a journalist chasing a story on a missing child that ties to her past. With eight episodes, it drops in late 2025, blending thriller beats with personal digs.
Rachel uncovers family secrets while dodging threats, and Lower plays her as driven yet frayed—think Helly’s quest but in newsrooms and backroads. Coben’s plot twists keep the pace tight, with Lower’s lead spot front and center.
In a recent Deadline chat, Lower shared she shadowed reporters for Rachel’s hustle. Early buzz calls it a page-turner, perfect for Severance fans wanting her in a full chase mode. As of September 2025, production wrapped, promising Lower’s next big swing.
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Credits: IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, Wikipedia
