Severanceis returning for its hotly-anticipated second season in 2025, and now is the perfect time to catch up in time for the January premiere. Apple TV+’s mind-bending sci-fi thriller takes place in a near-future dystopia where workers have the ability to split their consciousness in half, half for work and half for leisure, with neither personality having access to the other’s memories. It’s a fascinating premise that led to an intricate, gripping narrative unlike anything else on television.Severanceseason 2will pick up directly where the first left off, finally answering those burning questions.
For those who haven’t already watchedSeverance,now is the perfect opportunity to get through the first seasonbefore the second drops in January - because everybody is sure to be talking about it once it’s out. The show gathered a huge fanbase when it was released in 2022, and audiences have been waiting a long time forSeveranceseason 2 due to its many delays.
10Severance Has An Incredible Cast
Adam Scott Leads A Fierce Ensemble
Despite all the technical achievements that madeSeverancestand out from most other TV shows, the most impressive part of this sci-fi thriller has always been the actors.Adam Scott received universal praise for his complex turnas the show’s protagonist Mark, but the show also features amazing performances from Patricia Arquette, John Turturro, and Christopher Walken. Not only are these actors playing fun, complex characters, but they’re also playing two different versions of them and somehow making them distinct.
How Severance Season 2 Will Address Mark & Helly’s Relationship After Mark Finds Out His Wife Is Alive Explained By Ben Stiller
Director Ben Stiller explains how Severance season 2 will address Mark and Helly’s relationship after the former finds out his wife is still alive.
Severancewas awarded for its incredible acting at the 2023 Emmys ceremony, where it received nominations in the Best Casting, Best Actor (for Scott), Best Supporting Actor (for Walken and Turturro), and Best Supporting Actress (for Arquette) categories. These actors all give their characters such humanity and relatability that really makes the show work.
9Severance Includes Bold Sci-Fi ideas
The Show Doesn’t Pull Its Punches On Creativity
There are plenty ofgreat TV shows in the sci-fi genre, but very few projects have ideas quite as original and groundbreaking asSeverance. The concept of splitting one’s personality into two halves is a genius concept for a show, not just because of the endless twists and turns that it makes possible, but also because of the concept’s relevance in modern society.
Like any great sci-fi show,Severanceuses its weird and wacky concepts to draw parallels to the real world, giving the project a real message that can be applied to the audience’s own lives.It’s incredibly inventive, and there’s enough creativity on display to fuel multiple subplots at the same time, allowing for some very layered storytelling.
8Severance Has Biting Social Commentary
There’s A Purpose Behind The Storytelling
Thanks to its great sci-fi ideas,Severancemanages to blend some biting social commentary into its narrative. The show may be a simple thriller on the surface, with Mark’s two personalities trying to communicate with each other, butthe very concept of the show is also an allegory for corporate greedand the value of independence.
These characters’ minds are owned by their employers, which is clearlySeverance’s way of commenting on our inability to step away from work once we’ve left the office.
These characters’ minds are owned by their employers, which is clearlySeverance’s way of commenting on our inability to step away from work once we’ve left the office. Particularly in the era of the internet and working from home, this distinction between work lives and “real” lives has become even more blurred. This is something that becomes crucial in theending ofSeveranceseason 1, pulling all the show’s themes together masterfully.
7Severance’s Production Design Is A Character Of Its Own
This Fictional World Feels And Looks Incredibly Real
Another aspect ofSeverancethat’s been endlessly praised is the production design, which plays a crucial role in forging the show’s cold, clinical atmosphere. The contrast between Mark’s work life, where everything is very white and linear, and the dark reality of his home life, is more than just an aesthetic choice -it elevates the story on a thematic level.
The scenes inside Mark’s workplace all have a strange, uncanny feeling associated with them, and that’s almost entirely a product of the rich production design. It’s such a cold and frightening environment, structured almost like a labyrinth inside a hospital, which really helps further the show’s message of being trapped inside our work.
6Jessica Lee Gagné’s Sharp Cinematography Elevates Severance
The Show Has A Very Unique Visual Style
In addition to the production design, much ofSeverance’s unique atmosphere and excellent use of tension come down to Jessica Lee Gagné’s sharp cinematography.Her use of framing and blocking is on an expert level inSeverance, and it’s her visuals that control much of the show’s often creepy and unsettling tone. As mentioned, much of the show’s unique atmosphere comes from the contrast between Mark’s work and home lives, which is done through a fascinating grade of colors.
Fromeverything we know aboutSeveranceseason 2, it doesn’t seem like these brilliant visuals will be going anywhere any time soon. Gagné will be providing her unique cinematography once again, and she’ll even be directing some of the episodes. This should be a clear indicator thatSeveranceseason 2 is on track to be just as good, if not even better, than the first.
5Severance Has A Hilarious Offbeat Sense Of Humor
There’s A Sharp Comedy Behind The Drama
AlthoughSeveranceis definitely a thriller at its core, there’s a clear sense of comedy and self-aware humor that runs throughout the show. The funny subplots often serve as a stark contrast to Marks’ dangerous situation, with the show often using the side characters as a distraction from the main plot.Zach Cherry and John Turturro are the most frequent contributors to the show’s comedic tone, but each member of the cast gets their moment to shine.
“The Fallout Is Dire”: Severance Season 2’s Resolution To Season 1’s Ending Cliffhanger Gets A Very Ominous Tease
Severance creator Dan Erickson ominously teases season 2’s resolution to season 1’s major cliffhanger, offering a glimpse at the consequences.
Even whenSeveranceis being funny, there’s still a sense of sincerity and dread that lingers in the background of everything - which, in itself, could be further commentary on the impersonality of work and capitalist society. There are some really serious themes inSeverance, but the show often masks them behind its offbeat sense of humor to make the intense moments even more effective.
4Severance Will Keep You Guessing Throughout
The Twists Are Always Unpredictable
One of the reasons thatSeverancereceived such universal acclaim after the release of its first season is that it was so unpredictable. It’s impossible to guess exactly where this narrative is going until it’s almost there, which is the trademark of any good thriller. It should be engaging and captivating, but there should always be enough ambiguity to ensurethe writers are one step ahead of the audience- and that’s exactly whatSeverancedoes.
There are plenty of hidden Easter eggs inSeverancethat help build towards the many twists and turns along the way, but they’re subtle enough to miss on the first watch.
There are plenty ofhidden Easter eggs inSeverancethat help build towards the many twists and turns along the way, but they’re subtle enough to miss on the first watch. This ensures that nothing is obvious or predictable, but once the twists happen, the foundations are all firmly there to ensure it doesn’t feel random or unsolicited.
3Severance Has Room For All Sorts Of Fan Theories
The Show Intentionally Leaves Questions Unanswered
Severancehas amassed a large fanbase since the release of the first season, and they’ve never hesitated to come up with some bold, outlandish theories about where the story could be going in season 2. This is something thatSeverance’s narrative leaves plenty of room for, as there are many subplots that were left unresolved at the end of the first season, almost inviting this kind of speculation.
The mysteries ofSeverancemake it one of the most fun shows on TV;the audience is constantly kept in the dark, left guessing as to what’s going to happen next. This creates plenty of room for fan theories, which in itself gives a boost to the show’s popularity, as audiences are left talking about it between seasons.
2Severance Season 1’s Finale Is Breathtaking
The Cliffhanger Makes Season 2 Even More Exciting
All ofSeverance’s episodes are great, but the season 1 finale is arguably the show’s strongest piece of storytelling so far. Thanks to the series’ impeccable writing,that final episode is a perfect display of foreshadowingthat brings all the subplots together in such an intentional and precise way. It’s a perfect emotional payoff, leaving audiences questioning how they didn’t see that coming - even though nobody did.
Severance Season 2: The Innies Journey Outside The Office & Lumon’s New Child Employee Revealed In 12 New Images
12 new images are released from Severance season 2, teasing an Innie journey to the outside world, and some surprising new Lumon employees.
Additionally,Severance’s finale includes a massive cliffhanger that raised just enough questions and possibilities to keep audiences engaged between seasons, which has been crucial in the show’s ability to stay relevant despite all the delays. Without this shocking ending, who knows whetherSeverance’s second season would have been as hotly anticipated as it currently is?
1You Won’t Want To Get Spoiled About Severance Season 2
Spoilers Will Be Everywhere When Season 2 Is Released
Ultimately, the main reason to catch up onSeverance’s first season before the release of its second in January is that spoilers will be everywhere. The show has been a massive hit with audiences online, and whatever happens in season 2,people will be discussing it all over social media.
Therefore, it’s crucial to get stuck intoSeverancebefore it’s too late. Spoilers are everywhere for this show, and while the storytelling is certainly strong enough to make the show enjoyable if you know what’s going to happen, there are plenty of twists and turns in the first season that won’t be as effective without the intended sense of mystery.
Cast
Severance is a psychological thriller series featuring Adam Scott as Mark Scout, an employee at Lumon Industries who undergoes a “severance” procedure to separate his work and personal memories. However, as work and life personas mysteriously begin to collide, it quickly becomes clear that not all is as it seems. Created by Dan Erickson and directed by Ben Stiller and Aoife McArdle.
