On January 14, 2025, Apple TV+ set up a replica of the “Macrodata Refinement” office from Lumon Industries and placed it in the middle of Grand Central Terminal. Then, actors Adam Scott, Zach Cherry, Britt Lower, Tramell Tillman and Patricia Arquette, walked in and reprised their roles from the TV series Severance for two and a half hours behind glass walls. And it doesn’t appear that they ever broke character.
The stunt happened just three days before the debut of the show’s second season on the streamer. It had been a very long wait thanks to the writers’ strike. (The first season of the show began streaming in February of 2022!)
More good news came on March 21. Apple announced that the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning series got a third season renewal. Hopefully we won’t have to wait another three years to see it.
Ben Stiller serves as an executive producer and a director of the quirky, comedy/drama/thriller. He directed five episodes for season two of the show, which has become the most-watched series on Apple TV+.
“Making Severance has been one of the most creatively exciting experiences I’ve ever been a part of,” said Stiller. “While I have no memory of this, I’m told making season three will be equally enjoyable, though any recollection of these future events will be forever and irrevocably wiped from my memory as well.”
For those unfamiliar with the show, here’s a bit info about the series… After the death of his wife, Mark Scout (Adam Scott) has taken steps to experience the best work-life balance Lumon has to offer. He chose a severance procedure that surgically divides his memories between his work and his personal life. Essentially, Mark is two people. While at work, he is considered an “innie”. When Mark goes home, he is considered an “outtie”. Neither personality knows about the other.
“I couldn’t be more excited to get back to work with Ben, Dan, the incredible cast and crew, Apple and the whole Severance team,” said the star and executive producer. “Oh, hey, also — not a huge deal — but if you see my innie, please don’t mention any of this to him. Thanks.”
“The idea of getting to make more Severance with the greatest cast and crew on Earth is more thrilling to me than all the world’s finger traps combined,” said Dan Erickson, creator and showrunner of the series. “I can’t wait to continue spreading woe, frolic, dread and malice with these truly incredible people.”
Season One focused on Mark’s team of innies trying to figure out the mystery of their workplace. Why did their outies agree to this? What do those outies do when they are home? Is their work important? And how do they leave their jobs if they choose too? For season two, the team “learns the dire consequences of trifling with the severance barrier, leading them further down a path of woe” describes Apple.
Tramell Tillman also stars as Seth Milchick, the Deputy Manager on the “severed” floor of Luman. He tends to pop up on the crew unannounced with a creepy grin. Patricia Arquette plays Harmony Gold, the tough as nails manager of the place. The series also stars Jen Tullock, Dichen Lachman, Michael Chernus and Christopher Walken. Season two features new appearances by Sarah Bock, Robby Benson, Jane Alexander, Sandra Bernard even Ben’s sister, Amy Stiller.
Severance currently has a high 96% “tomatometer” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Among those who like the series, Graeme Guttmann from Screen Rant said, “It’s difficult to overstate how good Season 1 is, which makes the fact that its follow-up season is nearly as perfect all the more astonishing.”
Lauren Sarner from New York Post said, “In this age where too much entertainment feels ‘made by committee’ or ‘made by algorithm,’ this is a rare show that feels like a singular creative vision.”
The complete first and second seasons of Severance are now streaming globally on Apple TV+.
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