Severance Star Britt Lower Reveals Key Character Distinction

The latest Harlan Coben mystery to be adapted into a TV series, "I Will Find You," features Sam Worthington and Britt Lower in leading roles, offering audiences an intense and thrilling narrative. The series, now streaming on Netflix, centers on David (Worthington), a man incarcerated for the murder of his young son, Matthew (Ashton Cressman), despite his unwavering claims of innocence. The plot thickens dramatically when his sister-in-law, Rachel (Lower), visits him in prison and presents a recent photograph of a boy who bears an uncanny resemblance to Matthew. This discovery ignites a desperate quest for truth, leading to a daring prison break, a nationwide manhunt, and the unraveling of several dangerous conspiracies, leaving viewers to question who can truly be trusted.

Both Worthington and Lower bring a wealth of experience from their previous roles, which have well-prepared them for the demanding nature of "I Will Find You." Sam Worthington, renowned for his work in major action films like the "Avatar" series, "Clash of the Titans," and the Oscar-winning war epic "Hacksaw Ridge," is no stranger to intense projects. Britt Lower, celebrated for her Emmy-winning performance in Apple TV+'s sci-fi series "Severance," as well as roles in comedies such as "Man Seeking Woman" and "Casual," showcases her versatility in this gripping drama.

The actors delve into some of the show's most complex moments and character dynamics. Sam Worthington reflects on a particularly challenging "Sophie's Choice" situation David faces in Episode 6, where he is forced to choose between his father and son's life. Worthington notes the scene's emotional intensity, stating, "it is a Sophie's Choice moment. And he actually makes a very crazy choice." He emphasizes his reliance on fellow actors, stating, "I'm only as good as the person I'm opposite." Britt Lower, discussing her on-screen chemistry with Milo, who plays Hayden, highlights their instant off-screen friendship, bonding over shared interests like Airstreams. She explains the unique dynamic between Rachel and Hayden, who remain friends after a breakup, and how Rachel's potential unawareness of being "the one who got away" for Hayden added layers to their relationship.

Worthington also discusses his enjoyment of playing characters with a blend of "hard muscle and soft muscle," often portraying action heroes who possess a warm, parental core. He explains his long-standing exploration of individuals who use external armor to conceal their vulnerabilities. Reflecting on his career trajectory, he observes how roles evolve with age: "when you're in your 20s, you're cast as the hero. When you're in your 30s, you're cast as something else. You’re 40, you have kids, and you're cast as the fathers, the parental, and the protectors." He finds interest in exploring characters' hidden depths and internal conflicts, moving beyond one-dimensionally heroic portrayals.

Britt Lower draws parallels between Rachel and Helly, her character from "Severance," noting their shared "dogged on a mission" DNA. However, she distinguishes Rachel's mission as being rooted firmly in the real world and a family system, contrasting with Helly's more surreal familial context. Lower expresses excitement for filming Season 3 of "Severance," viewing "I Will Find You" as a distinctly different yet equally compelling "propulsive crime drama" that demanded a strong emotional core from its characters.

Both actors recount their introduction to Harlan Coben's extensive body of work. Worthington initially encountered Coben's story through the film "Tell No One" without realizing it was an adaptation of his novel, only later discovering the connection through Coben himself and his wife, a devoted fan of Coben's suspenseful narratives. Lower's deep dive into Coben's universe began with reading the novel "I Will Find You" alongside the pilot script. They both acknowledge that adapting a novel for a visual medium like television necessitates crafting different twists and turns, with Coben viewing the book as a "bouncing-off point" for the series.

The show's ending is described as satisfying and hopeful, yet realistically grounded in the idea that perfection is unattainable, and difficult roads lie ahead. Lower envisions the characters ultimately seeking therapy, emphasizing an "earned quiet moment for the whole family" where Matthew holds his little sister, and David shares a poignant scene with his son. This ending underscores the enduring strength of family, the commitment to navigating hardships together, and the importance of mutual support.