Miley Cyrus went all out celebrating the 20th anniversary of Hannah Montana with a Disney+ special — and a red carpet premiere — but there were several stars from the show that were notably absent from the big events.

Disney Channel’s hit series, which aired from 2006 to 2011, followed a teenage girl named Miley Stewart (Cyrus) who lived a double life as famous pop singer Hannah Montana. The alter ego allowed Miley to maintain her anonymity and live a normal life, but it also came with its own set of challenges.

Two decades after the show premiered, Cyrus sat down to film a special in a rebuilt soundstage meant to mirror the Hannah Montana set. She was joined by special guest stars including “Call Her Daddy” podcast host Alex Cooper, Selena Gomez and Chappell Roan, but most of her costars were missing.

The surprising absences continued at the Los Angeles premiere, which much of Cyrus’ family attended, but her former costars Emily Osment, Mitchel Musso and more not there.

Related: ‘Hannah Montana’ Cast: Where Are They Now?

Miley Cyrus’ breakout role on Hannah Montana launched her into superstardom — and made big names of some of her costars. The Disney Channel series, which aired for four seasons from 2006 to 2011, starred Cyrus as regular teen Miley Stewart who has a larger-than-life secret: she’s also mega pop star Hannah Montana. The hit […]

Osment, for her part, addressed her absence shortly before the red carpet event, telling fans via Instagram that “Hannah Montana changed my life.” During the screening for the special, which Us Weekly attended, Cyrus reflected on the show’s legacy so many years later.

“I have absolutely nothing prepared for this moment — and I did not do that by mistake. Because everything that we are going to celebrate tonight was not a mistake,” she said in a speech. “It wasn’t magic — which Disney is known for creating. It was the effort, the loyalty and the support of the fans who made my life possible beyond the show. For that, I am so grateful to each and every one of you. It doesn’t stop there, I’m looking out right now in the audience and seeing so many faces that made this possible.”

Cyrus continued: “Everything in my life is so amazing because Disney took a chance on me. I had no business coming out to Los Angeles thinking that I could carry a show or pretend to be a pop star. I had no experience. I had done some theater before. … There were some years where I think they thought they made the right call. I think it all worked out just fine because whatever got us here in this room to honor and celebrate — not just the show itself — which has been the beginning of all of this. The cast is here tonight and it’s so amazing. Without you all, this show would never [have] been what it is. I might be the only one in this room that never got to go to a Hannah Montana concert [because] I was the Hannah Montana concert. But now I understand why it was so much fun to go to one of Hannah shows to dress like her, wear the wig and wear the scarf. That’s what it felt like for me to celebrate Hannah Montana — now from the other side.”

Keep scrolling for other stars that were noticeably missing from the Hannah Montana anniversary special and premiere: 

Emily Osment

The actress, who played Miley’s best friend Lilly, confirmed hours before the premiere that she wouldn’t be able to attend. (Osment also didn’t film any scenes for the 20th anniversary special itself.)

“We’re at Georgie & Mandy … and that’s why I was not able to be part of the 20-year reunion, because we are here shooting our show,” she explained in an Instagram video from the CBS show’s set. “But I wanted to say hello and thank you to everybody that has stuck by us for all these years. I’m so grateful that you guys all still love the show. I’m so proud to be a part of it.”

Mitchel Musso

Mitchel Musso, who played another BFF Oliver , wrote a tribute to the show after not appearing at the premiere or in the special.

“Hannah Montana wrapped around my heart and never really let go. We literally grew up with ya’ll — long days, crazy schedules, learning lines, cracking up between takes, and figuring out life while the cameras rolled. It taught me so many wonderful values, but the most important ‘to me’ is that laughter can get you through the tough days. That confidence still sticks with me every single day,” he wrote via Instagram before referring to Osment’s post. “Like my Lillypop said on her post, so many of you building families of your own and sharing this wonderful story with your kids is a gift beyond words. It’s been the coolest part of HM.”

He concluded: “Miley, Emily, Jason, Billy Ray, Moises, and the whole crew at Disney — you became my family through all the real, messy, beautiful moments. Thank you for believing in a goofy kid from Texas who wore some questionable outfits with a haircut like that. To all of you, thank you for welcoming me into your homes and hearts 20 years ago and still allowing me to be here today. I’m honored we get to share all of this together.”

Jason Earles

After playing Miley’s brother, Jackson, Earles attended the premiere in Los Angeles alongside other original cast members, including Miley Cyrus, Moisés Arias, Shanica Knowles, Anna Maria Perez de Tagle and Cody Linley. He was, however, missing from the special that aired on Disney+.

Moisés Arias

Fans spotted Moisés Arias, who played Rico, at the premiere, but he wasn’t in the special.

Billy Ray Cyrus

Miley Cyrus’ dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, was by her side in the original show and was featured in the special. He was absent from the premiere, where Miley was joined by mom Tish Cyrus, her husband, Dominic Purcell, and his family.

Selena Gomez

The fellow Disney Channel child star — who played Miley’s rival Mikayla — made a surprise cameo in the Hannah Montana special. She didn’t attend the premiere.

Cody Linley

Despite Cody Linley’s Jake wronging Miley on the show, fans were thrilled to see him at the red carpet event for the anniversary special. He didn’t appear to film anything for the special itself.

Drew Roy

After Cody Linley was spotted at the premiere, many fans questioned why Drew Roy, who played another one of Miley’s boyfriends on the show, was nowhere to be found. Roy has shifted away from acting in recent years, instead focusing on his job as a qualified jet pilot.

Lucas Till

While Lucas Till wasn’t featured on the original Hannah Montana show, he starred as Miley’s love interest Travis in Hannah Montana: The Movie. He did not appear at the anniversary events.

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Social media influencer Helena Riley has raised more than $12,000 in crowdfunding after announcing that she broke her back.

Taking to X to share her GoFundMe page on Tuesday, March 24, Riley, a Los Angeles-based star who boasts more than 146,000 followers on X alone, wrote, “Hiiiii guysss i broke my back and it sucks. Here’s my gofundme. Love u!”

After setting her donation request at $14,000, Riley had already raised $12,210 from 374 donations at the time of publication. She’d launched the page just one day prior.

A description for the page provided fans with details into Riley’s health crisis. “Hiiiiii <3 I broke my back. It’s not an exciting story, I just fainted at home because of an unrelated health issue. I landed on my back and fractured my spine. Bummerrrrrrrrrr.”

The text continued, “It’s a long road to recovery and an extremely expensive process. My insurance sucks ass OBVIOUSLY. Unfortunately, I’m not in a financial position where I can hemorrhage tens of thousands of dollars without it kinda ruining my life. So I am asking for some help. I appreciate you all so so so much <3.”

A slide of photos on the page also detailed that the fundraiser would contribute to “medical bills, lost wages, surgery and rehab,” while another photo showed Riley snapping a mirror selfie in a bathroom that captured a brace wrapped around her torso.

While Riley’s other social media accounts — including Instagram and OnlyFans where she rose to fame by filming herself eating candy — have attracted significant follower counts, her X posts have arguably won her the most love. During an interview with i-D Magazine in 2023, the influencer said her X following came as a surprise to her. “It’s bizarre because I’m known, but I’ve never done anything. I don’t do anything,” she said candidly at the time.

Related: OnlyFans Star Natalia Rae’s Family Fundraises to Retrieve Body After Death

A GoFundMe has been created after OnlyFans star Natalia Rae’s death at age 33. “Our dear, sweet, loving, vibrant friend, [Natalia Rae], has passed away unexpectedly, leaving us heartbroken,” the description read on the website. “Her body is currently abroad, and her family needs help covering the costs to bring her home and give her […]

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Riley joins a long list of celebrities who have turned to GoFundMe in an attempt to raise funds during times of need. Just one day prior, a GoFundMe was launched to support the family of NHL reporter Jessi Pierce who died in a house fire. Her three children and the family’s dog also died in the incident.

Additionally, on February 21, Rebecca Gayheart and friends of her late estranged husband, Eric Dane, launched a GoFundMe to raise funds for his family’s housing and schooling. At the time of publication, $490,000 of the $500,000 target had been reached.

Chappell Roan is facing unexpected backlash after a weekend incident involving her security team spiraled into a much bigger controversy. 

What started as a tense hotel encounter with a young fan has now resurfaced troubling details about the man at the center of it all. 

As reactions pour in from family members, officials, and fans alike, attention has shifted from the pop star herself to the history of the bodyguard now tasked with protecting her.

Chappell Roan’s Security Guard Linked To Past Kim Kardashian Incident

The man at the center of the controversy surrounding Chappell Roan has a past that is raising fresh concerns. 

Pascal Duvier, the security guard involved in the São Paulo incident, previously worked for Kim Kardashian and was responsible for her protection during the infamous 2016 Paris robbery.

During that high-profile heist, Kim was robbed of an estimated $10 million in jewelry while Duvier was not present. 

Reports at the time revealed he had been out at a nightclub with Kourtney and Kendall Kardashian, leaving the reality star without protection.

The fallout was significant. Duvier was later sued by Kim’s insurance company over the security lapse and eventually settled the lawsuit in 2020. 

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Now, years later, his name has resurfaced under very different circumstances while working security for Roan.

Roan’s Security Guard Confrontation Leaves Young Fan In Tears

The latest controversy unfolded at the luxury Palácio Tangará hotel in São Paulo, where Chappell Roan was staying ahead of her Lollapalooza performance.

According to a report from the Daily Mail, Duvier “aggressively” confronted 11-year-old Ada Law while she was having breakfast with her mother, Catherine Harding.

Ada had reportedly noticed the singer nearby and briefly walked past to take another look before returning to her table. It was at that point that Duvier approached them. 

According to Ada’s stepfather, soccer star Jorginho, the interaction left the child “extremely shaken” and in tears.

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The outing had been planned as a birthday treat, with Ada and her mother staying at the same hotel and preparing to attend Roan’s performance. 

However, the encounter derailed those plans entirely, turning what was meant to be a special experience into a distressing one.

Chappell Roan Drawn Into Debate Over Responsibility For Security Actions

Although Roan denied sending her security guard to intervene, the situation quickly sparked debate about how much responsibility celebrities bear for those working on their behalf. 

Harding addressed the issue directly, questioning whether such behavior could occur without some level of authorization.

“Look, I would like to hope not, but at the same time, I think that you have a responsibility when you are a celebrity to make sure, I guess, that the people who work for you and that act on your behalf are acting on your behalf,” she said per The Blast.

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She also raised concerns about whether Duvier acted independently, adding, “Would he do that if he didn’t have her authority to do so? I don’t know.” 

Harding suggested that if he acted without approval, “that’s a big problem because then he’s representing her in a way that she doesn’t want to be represented.”

Roan’s Security Guard Accused Of Crossing The Line

Harding went further in describing the encounter, claiming the situation escalated due to Duvier’s tone and approach. 

She said the incident “ruined” her daughter’s birthday plans, alleging that the security guard chose to “berate and scold” them in a “very aggressive tone.”

She also described him as intimidating, saying, “For me, I feel like if she [Roan] really didn’t send him, [the security guard] overstepped a boundary because he is quite an intimidating [man].”

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According to Harding, Duvier even told her that her daughter was “badly educated” and warned he might file a complaint with the hotel. 

The disappointed mom concluded by expressing hope that the situation would lead to change, saying, “If it wasn’t her, I hope she learns to maybe not allow the people who work for her to treat people like this.”

Chappell Roan Faces Fallout As Officials React To Incident

The backlash from the incident has extended beyond social media, reaching local officials. Eduardo Cavaliere, the mayor of Rio de Janeiro, publicly responded by banning Chappell Roan from performing in the city.

In a post on X, Cavaliere criticized the situation and wrote that “as long as I’m in charge of our city – this young lady @ChappellRoan will never perform at Todo Mundo No Rio.” 

He also contrasted the incident with other global stars, adding, “I doubt that Shakira would do that!”

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At the same time, he offered a gesture of goodwill toward the affected family, noting that Ada would be invited as a guest of honor at a future event.

Chappell Roan has since denied involvement in the confrontation and issued a public apology, but the controversy surrounding her security guard and his past continues to draw attention.

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Sarah Michelle Gellar and the late Shannen Doherty became friends in the 1990s while appearing on WB shows. For the former, the show was “Buffy: The Vampire Slayer,” whereas Doherty was appearing on “Charmed,” where she remained for its first three seasons. Now, almost two years after her death, Gellar is reflecting on their friendship and revealing the one thing they didn’t get to do.

Sarah Michelle Gellar Opens Up About Friendship With Shannen Doherty

Doherty passed away at the age of 54 in July 2024 after a battle with breast cancer. Now, while discussing their friendship with PEOPLE, Gellar says she and her dear pal “enjoyed the f-ck out of each other,” calling that “the best description I’ve ever heard” of their friendship.

She went on, “We did. I made sure that I would never have any regrets with Shannen, and I think we did a really good job of it. I don’t think we have any [regrets].” However, there was one thing they wanted to do with one another before Doherty passed away that they didn’t do: take a trip to Italy.

However, Gellar says that Doherty “got to go, which is all that matters. I couldn’t go at the time.”

The ‘Buffy’ Alum Says Death Is Universal

Gellar continued discussing the loss of Doherty, this time framing it as a universal experience. According to her, “Look, everybody loses people in life, and a lot of times it’s not fair.”

She continued, “Yes, mine’s maybe been on a bigger scale because you’ve all borne witness to it. And you learn those things — you learn that time is fleeting, you learn to take advantage of the time you have. Especially because the world moves so quickly now. We can stop and miss those moments.”

Fans Say Gellar Has Suffered Great Personal Losses

Nicholas Brendon, who appeared alongside Gellar in “Buffy: The Vampire Slayer,” passed away on March 20. Following his passing, many fans are taking to social media to rally around Gellar as not only has she now lost Nicholas, but also Doherty and Michelle Trachtenberg, who passed away in February 2025. Of course, she was also close with Robin Williams, who passed away in 2014.

One fan said on X, “Bless Sarah Michelle Gellar wherever she is. First Robin. And now Shannen, Michelle, and Nick in such a short time. I can’t imagine.” Someone else wrote, “Sarah Michelle Gellar was close to Robin Williams, Michelle Trachtenberg, and Shannen Doherty. She lost 3 loved ones in 12 years.”

A different X user wrote, “Sarah Michelle Gellar losing Michelle Trachtenberg, Shannen Doherty, and now him in such a short space of time, like what the f-ck.”

Sarah Michelle Gellar Recently Paid Tribute To Nicholas Brendon

Currently, Gellar is promoting her new movie, “Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come.” According to Entertainment Weekly, while at the film’s premiere, she spoke to the audience about Brendon’s death. She began, “It’s a tragedy. It’s a tragedy when you lose anyone at any point. It’s a bigger tragedy when you lose someone way sooner than needs to be.”

She continued, “This business is very tough, and we’ve had — it feels like we’ve had more tragedy than other shows.” After that, she acknowledged that “Buffy” probably hadn’t had more tragedies than other shows, saying it seems like it “because it’s personal, and it’s in our faces.”

In speaking specifically about the actor, Gellar said, “I think as actors we talk a lot or think a lot about legacy. He brought so much joy to so many people on that show, and that lives on. That’s the truth.”

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The ‘Buffy’ Alum Recently Opened Up About The Failed Revival

Gellar revealed in March 2026 that Hulu had scrapped the highly anticipated “Buffy” revival series. At the time, she didn’t give details on why, but later gave an exclusive to PEOPLE, saying that one executive had sealed the show’s fate.

She first discussed receiving the call that Hulu had decided not to move forward with the show. According to her, “I was just about to take the stage in front of all the fans. Hulu had decided not to move forward with the Buffy revival. Let me tell you, nobody saw this coming.”

Regarding why the show didn’t continue, Gellar explained, “We had an executive on our show who was not only not a fan of the original, but was proud to constantly remind us that he had never seen the entirety of the series and how it wasn’t for him.”

She added, “That’s very hard when you’re taking a property that is as beloved as ‘Buffy,’ not just to the world, but to me and Chloé. So that tells you the uphill battle that we had been fighting since day one, when your executive is literally proud to tell you that he didn’t watch it.”

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Brooks Nader is stepping into one of television’s most iconic franchises, but not without controversy. 

The model-turned-reality TV star has found herself at the center of a heated debate after landing a leading role in the “Baywatch” reboot.

As critics question the casting of influencers in major acting roles, Nader is pushing back, defending the shift in Hollywood while embracing what she calls a new era of multi-talented performers.

Brooks Nader Responds To Backlash Over ‘Baywatch’ Casting

Nader is not ignoring the noise surrounding her casting in the “Baywatch” reboot. 

As the show gears up for its return, some viewers have taken issue with influencers stepping into roles once dominated by traditional actors, arguing that the series needed “real actors.”

However, Nader sees things differently. Speaking about the criticism in a chat with the Daily Mail, she pointed out how the entertainment landscape has evolved. 

“I think that the times are different and everyone is so multi-hyphenate now, and you can be both an actor and an influencer and have influence. And that’s the beauty of the culture that social media has created,” she said.

For Nader, the shift isn’t a downgrade, but an expansion. With platforms like Instagram and TikTok now shaping careers, she believes new voices bring something valuable to the table. 

Rather than replacing actors, she argues they are adding a new layer to the industry.

Nader Says Social Media Brings New Energy To The Series

Nader emphasized that today’s performers come with built-in audiences and unique perspectives that didn’t exist when the original “Baywatch” aired. 

The model highlighted how social media has given talent a direct line to fans, something that changes how shows are experienced.

“We now have platforms. I think, during the 90s, you didn’t have social media, you didn’t have Instagram or TikTok, and so people could use their voice now, and I think as long as they’re using it for good… I think that it’ll bring a vibe to the show,” she explained.

She also hinted that the cast itself reflects this modern shift. Nader said, “I think that there’s so many amazing platforms and voices that are on the show, in the cast, and I think it’ll only help the series.”

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Meanwhile, filming is already underway, with Nader spotted on Venice Beach alongside co-stars Stephen Amell, Shay Mitchell, Noah Beck, and Livvy Dunne, all stepping into the show’s signature red swimsuits.

Brooks Nader Calls Wearing The Iconic Swimsuit A Career Moment

For Nader, slipping into the legendary red lifeguard swimsuit was more than just another day on set, it was a defining moment. 

The look, famously worn by Pamela Anderson and Carmen Electra, carries decades of pop culture weight.

“It was the biggest pinch me moment of my career,” Nader told the outlet, reflecting on the experience.

 As this marks her first major acting role, she’s fully aware of the expectations that come with it. 

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“I feel like this is my first big acting gig, and so I’m excited to show people what I can do and obviously big shoes to fill,” she added.

Despite the pressure, the 29-year-old remains confident in the project and its ensemble. In her words, “Baywatch with such an iconic series, and we have such a stacked cast of amazing talent. And so I know everyone’s gonna love it. It’s amazing.”

She also revealed that stars from the original show have been supportive, adding to the sense that the reboot aims to respect its roots while moving forward.

Nader Keeps Focus On ‘Baywatch’ Amid Off-Screen Buzz

While Nader’s casting has sparked debate, her personal life has also drawn attention. 

She was recently seen chatting with Kevin Costner during a VIP dinner at a restaurant inside the Wynn hotel in Las Vegas, a moment that quickly fueled speculation.

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According to reports, the duo spent time in the high roller room of the new Zero Bond club, where guests could play poker, blackjack, or roulette. 

When asked about the interaction, Nader chose to keep things vague, steering the conversation back to her work. 

“Nothing I can say about that but I’m really excited for the Baywatch reboot, and I think that you guys are really gonna love it,” she said. 

Even as headlines swirl, Nader appears determined to stay focused on the opportunity in front of her. She believes the reboot will honor the legacy of the original while delivering something fresh. 

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As she put it, the goal is to recreate the magic of the 90s series while bringing “some happiness and some feel good moments” to a new generation.

Brooks Nader Opens Up About Her Cosmetic Procedure

Nader’s outing with Costner isn’t the only reason the star has been in the spotlight lately. 

A few days ago, she opened up about a cosmetic decision she now deeply regrets, admitting she underwent liposuction years ago despite not needing it. 

“I had liposuction years ago, and I forever regret it because I just didn’t need it,” Nader told PEOPLE, explaining that the procedure left her with visible side effects like “dimples and ripples.”  

She added that the experience changed her outlook on beauty, noting that people should “do less with all that and be healthy.”  

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Nader, who has been open about other cosmetic treatments, including fillers, Botox, and a nose job, now appears to be shifting toward a more natural approach.  

In fact, in December 2025, she took a bold step by dissolving her lip fillers. She later told her fans on TikTok that getting her lips back to their natural size was a Christmas present to her parents.

While Apple TV may not be the biggest streaming service in terms of its library, it does consistently provide high-quality content. From a comedy-drama like Shrinking to an action sci-fi show like Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, the platform covers a range of genres that are well-received amongst critics. One of the best shows on there is Dan Erickson‘s Severance, which currently holds a 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes. With so many workplace comedies, from The Office to Abbott Elementary, Erickson puts his own dark spin on the genre with something that feels like a Black Mirror episode.

Severance follows a group of employees at Lumon Industries who have undergone a procedure that mentally severs their personal life from their work life. The employees (aka the innies) only have consciousness of what they do on the job, essentially feeling like they’re forced to work. Meanwhile, the outies (the employees’ consciousness outside Lumon) have no knowledge of what they actually do at the biotech company. If a company had to create this non-legalized procedure, surely it couldn’t be for the greater good. However, the employees seem to enjoy (or at least tolerate) their job. All of that changes, however, when Helly R. (Britt Lower) joins Lumon’s Macrodata Department (MDR).

Helly Reaches Her Breaking Point in ‘Severance’ Season 1, Episode 4

Image via Apple TV+

Although the newly appointed MDR head, Mark S. (Adam Scott), tries to make Helly’s time at Lumon as smooth as possible, she’s completely against working there. But when she puts in a formal request to resign, her outie declines. After multiple attempts to escape or send a message to her outie, Helly is sent to the break room, which is anything but the relaxing place it’s supposed to be. Run by Seth Milchick (Tramell Tillman), Helly is forced to repeat a statement exactly 1,072 times over two days to break her spirit and any hope of leaving Lumon. While it seems like she’s ready to accept her job, Helly barges into Harmony Cobel’s (Patricia Arquette) office with a paper cutter and threatens to slice off her own fingers if they don’t let her record a tape to her outie explaining why she wants to resign. After Cobel and Milchick surprisingly meet her demands, Helly receives a video from her outie.

While Helly may be fiery, her outie is outright cold in her message. She makes it clear that she is a person and that Helly isn’t. Therefore, she makes all the decisions on their behalf. She even tells Helly that if ever she threatens to cut off their fingers again, she’ll make sure Helly lives to regret it. Hearing from this anyone else is already a lot, but directly from a version of you? It’s heartbreaking to say the least. Feeling like she’s trapped, the final moments of Severance Season 1, Episode 4 see Helly attempt to take her own life in the elevator. Lower shows no level of emotion during those two minutes. If anything, Lower expresses Helly’s determination to escape this tragic situation, whatever means necessary. It’s a truly dark moment that you can’t help but feel truly sorry for what Helly’s endured in just four episodes.

Lumon Putting Up with Helly’s Antics Raises Questions About Who Her Outie Is

In Severance Season 1, audiences only follow both sides of Mark’s lives and see how both of them are on a path to uncover the conspiracies surrounding Lumon. Even though their demeanors are different, they’re both likable protagonists. It’s an interesting choice that, while Helly is the viewer’s POV into this strange sci-fi world, we don’t get to see what kind of life her outie lives until the Severance Season 1 finale — adding another mystery to the show.

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Cobel and Milchick make it clear early on in the series that there are serious consequences when an employee leaves their post, but they allow Helly to go by unscathed (for the most part) and still keep her with the MDR department. Even after threatening to cut off her own fingers, she’s still allowed to keep working at the company. Sure, it’s her outie’s choice whether she stays or not, but for her outie to still go in to work every day with the chance that she might be harmed is strange. It shows that Helly’s outie might be more powerful than anyone expects, including Helly herself. This storyline is just one cog in the machine that makes Severance one of the best Apple TV shows to binge through. With the amount of mysteries sprinkled throughout the series, it makes rewatching all the more rewarding as audiences can see what clues the creative team sprinkled throughout to foreshadow big moments.

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Release Date

February 17, 2022

Network

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Apple TV

Showrunner

Dan Erickson, Mark Friedman

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Writers

Anna Ouyang Moench, Wei-Ning Yu

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NCIS just killed off a main character in the 500th episode — and the cast member opened up about how it “was not” their choice to leave the show.

During the Tuesday, March 24, episode of the hit CBS series, Rocky Carroll‘s character, Leon Vance, was shot by a CID agent. Initially, it looked like Vance was wearing a vest but he ultimately bled out from the fatal gunshot wounds.

“No, it was not my choice,” Carroll, who has been on NCIS since 2008, told TV Insider. “It was basically presented to me that the studio and the network wanted to do something really spectacular, really big, and something that would really send shockwaves through the NCIS fan base and the community.”

Carroll recalled executive producer Steven D. Binder breaking down the vision.

“Well, the agency, NCIS, as we know it, is in deep peril and is in danger of becoming extinct, of folding over into another agency because there’s a nefarious character working behind the scenes to sabotage the agency. And Director Vance figures out who it is,” he explained. “And in the process of saving the agency, he loses his life. It’s a great story. You want to hear more? And I thought, ‘Wait, let’s go back a minute. Back up to the part where you say in saving the agency, he loses his life.’”

The actor was able to understand what led to the decision, adding, “I guess the dramaturge and the director in me, after 23 years, you’ve pretty much told every story, and a lot of them you’ve told more than once. So, when it was laid all out, and when they did tell me the whole plot line and the story, my first thought, completely candidly, was, ‘It’s actually a terrific story.’”

While reflecting on his time on NCIS, Carroll said he didn’t expect to play Vance for nearly two decades.

“It’s been quite a run. And I was so proud of the episode,” he added. “There’s too much good to be depressed about it.”

NCIS sent Vance out on a high with a montage of him through the years with Gibbs (Mark Harmon), Tony (Michael Weatherly), Ziva (Cote de Pablo), Ducky (David McCallum), McGee, Abby (Pauley Perrette), Bishop (Emily Wickersham) and the current NCIS team.

“It wasn’t like, ‘Well, you’re emotional, but you can’t be that way for the episode,’” Carroll continued. “If this had happened in my third season as Director Vance, it would’ve been a much different feeling. But after 18, after my character’s lived two lifetimes basically in TV world, and I said, ‘To play a character for 18 seasons on one of the most-watched TV shows in the world is the equivalent to having lived to be 105.’ In my world, it’s like if you go to a memorial service for somebody who lived to be 105, your thought is, yeah, I’m sorry he’s gone, but I mean, geez, he lived to be 105. That’s kind of how I feel about my character.”

Binder also weighed in on the shocking shakeup.

“There have always been real stakes,” he told the outlet. “It is never easy to say goodbye to any of our characters, but we wanted to honor Rocky and his legacy on the show as best as we could — in this case, giving his life so his agency could live.”

Looking ahead, Binder promised that the team “will be grieving,” saying, “But we felt it important that, at the end of the episode, the team is just as focused on Vance’s sacrifice as they are on their loss. Vance died to protect them all. And they are going to honor that by putting one foot in front of the other, and just continuing on their mission to protect and safeguard their country.”

NCIS airs on CBS Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET.