Severance

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Series Details

Country United States
Language English
GenreDrama, Dystopian, Mystery, Psychological thriller, Science fiction
Season2
Episodes19
Release dateFebruary 18, 2022
Running time40–57 minutes
Age ratingTV-MA
StarringAdam Scott, Zach Cherry, Britt Lower, Tramell Tillman, Jen Tullock, Dichen Lachman, Michael Chernus, John Turturro, Christopher Walken, Patricia Arquette, Sarah Bock
Created byDan Erickson
ShowrunnerDan Erickson
Directed by Ben Stiller, Aoife McArdle, Uta Briesewitz, Samuel Donovan
Written byDan Erickson, Anna Ouyang Moench, Wei-Ning Yu, Chris Black, Andrew Colville, Kari Drake, Helen Leigh, Amanda Overton, Mohamad El Masri, Mark Friedman, Erin Wagoner
Produced byPatricia Arquette, Aoife McArdle, Amanda Overton, Gerry Robert Byrne
Executive producersBen Stiller, Nicholas Weinstock, Jackie Cohn, Mark Friedman, Dan Erickson, Andrew Colville, Chris Black, John Cameron, Beau Willimon, Caroline Baron, Jordan Tappis, Adam Scott
Cinematography by Jessica Lee Gagné, Matt Mitchell
Edited by Geoffrey Richman, Gershon Hinkson, Erica Freed Marker
Music byTheodore Shapiro
Casting byBess Fifer, Rachel Tenner
Production Design byJeremy Hindle
Art Direction byAngelica Borrero, Chris Shriver, Ann Bartek
Set Decoration byDavid Schlesinger, Andrew Baseman
Costume Design bySarah Edwards
Production CompanyRed Hour Productions
Fifth Season
Westward (season 2)
Animals & People (season 2)
Original NetworkApple TV+

Cast & Characters

Main

  • Adam Scott as Mark Scout, a former history professor and a severed worker for Lumon Industries in the Macrodata Refinement division, whose “outie” is grieving the death of his wife
  • Zach Cherry as Dylan George, Mark’s severed co-worker, who particularly enjoys company perks
  • Britt Lower as Helly Riggs, a new severed employee who replaces Petey
  • Tramell Tillman as Seth Milchick, the supervisor on the severed floor at Lumon
  • Jen Tullock as Devon Scout-Hale, Mark’s pregnant sister
  • Dichen Lachman as Ms. Casey, the wellness counselor on the severed floor
  • Michael Chernus as Ricken Hale, Devon’s husband and Mark’s brother-in-law, an inspirational self-help author
  • John Turturro as Irving Bailiff, Mark’s severed co-worker, who is a stickler for company policy and is drawn to Burt
  • Christopher Walken as Burt Goodman, another severed employee and the head of the Optics and Design division who is drawn to Irving
  • Patricia Arquette as Harmony Cobel, the manager of the severed floor at Lumon, who has another identity outside of work as Mrs. Selvig, Mark’s next-door neighbor
  • Sarah Bock as Miss Huang (season 2), the young new Deputy Manager of the Severed floor

Recurring

  • Yul Vazquez as Peter “Petey” Kilmer (season 1), a former severed worker and Mark’s best friend, who left Lumon under mysterious circumstances
  • Michael Cumpsty as Doug Graner (season 1), the head of security on Lumon’s severed floor
  • Nikki M. James as Alexa (season 1), Devon’s midwife and one of Mark’s love interests
  • Sydney Cole Alexander as Natalie, Lumon’s PR representative and speaker for the mysterious Board
  • Nora Dale as Gabby Arteta, the wife of Senator Angelo Arteta. She underwent severance to avoid the pain of childbirth
  • Claudia Robinson as Felicia, Optics employee at Lumon
  • Mark Kenneth Smaltz as Judd, security guard at Lumon
  • Donald Webber Jr. as Patton, a friend of Ricken’s
  • Annie McNamara as Danise, a friend of Ricken’s

Guest

  • Marc Geller as Kier Eagan, the late founder of Lumon Industries, who is worshipped with cult-like devotion within the company; he is represented throughout the series in sculptures, paintings, and recordings
  • Cassidy Layton as June Kilmer, Petey’s daughter
  • Joanne Kelly as Nina, Petey’s ex-wife
  • Ethan Flower as Angelo Arteta, a Lumon-backed state senator who supports legalizing the severance procedure and is married to Gabby Arteta, with whom he has three children
  • Karen Aldridge as Reghabi, a former Lumon surgeon who reintegrated Petey
  • Grace Rex as Rebeck, a friend of Ricken’s
  • Rajat Suresh as Balf, a friend of Ricken’s
  • Michael Siberry as Jame Eagan, the current CEO of Lumon Industries
  • Bob Balaban as Mark Wilkins (season 2), a new member of MDR
  • Alia Shawkat as Gwendolyn Y. (season 2), a new member of MDR
  • Stefano Carannante as Dario Rossi (season 2), a new member of MDR
  • Ólafur Darri Ólafsson as Mr. Drummond (season 2), an intimidating Lumon enforcer who is involved with Severance operations
  • Sarah Sherman as the voice of a stop-motion water tower in a Lumon industrial film. (Season 2)
  • Adrian Martinez as Mr. Saliba, a manager at a door factory who interviews Dylan for a position. (Season 2)
  • Merritt Wever as Gretchen (season 2), Dylan’s wife
  • Ben Stiller as an animated version of Kier Eagan in season 1 (voice cameo)
  • Keanu Reeves as an animated Lumon building in season 2 (voice cameo)

Storyline

Employees working on highly classified projects at the biotechnology corporation Lumon Industries are required to undergo “severance”, a medical procedure that implants a device causing them to lose all memories of the outside world while working within the basement floors, and having no memories of their work while outside. This creates two separated personalities for each employee: their “Innie” working at Lumon, and their “Outie” living their personal lives.

Severed employee Mark (Adam Scott) leads his coworkers Dylan (Zach Cherry) and Irving (John Turturro) at Lumon’s Macrodata Refinement Division. Mark must balance the challenges of managing his department, including the onboarding of a rebellious new Innie, Helly (Britt Lower), and his increasing disquiet at the cult-like Lumon. Mark’s Outie must deal with the personal tragedies that led to his decision to become severed, and the sudden overlap of his separate lives when mysteries from Lumon begin to intrude into his Outie life.

About Severance TV Series

Severance is an American science fiction psychological thriller television series created by Dan Erickson, and executive produced and primarily directed by Ben Stiller. It stars Adam Scott, Zach Cherry, Britt Lower, Tramell Tillman, Jen Tullock, Dichen Lachman, Michael Chernus, John Turturro, Christopher Walken, and Patricia Arquette.

Dan Erickson developed an interest in theater while studying English at Western Washington University, where he wrote short plays and creative works. He later pursued a master’s degree in television writing at New York University. In 2016, Erickson’s screenplay for the pilot of Severance appeared on the Blood List, a compilation of top unproduced genre screenplays. Prior to working on the show, Erickson had an office job, and in interviews, he shared that his experiences, including dealing with a depressive state, inspired the initial ideas for the series. He described his job as so monotonous that he wished he could skip the workday entirely, a feeling that ultimately became the premise of Severance. He also noted that his siblings were key inspirations for some of the show’s characters.

Ben Stiller first read the Severance pilot script over five years before the series debuted, calling it “the longest thing I’ve ever worked on.” Erickson had submitted it as a writing sample to Stiller’s production company, Red Hour Productions, in 2015. The script was passed along to Stiller by development executive Jackie Cohn, who said that Stiller appreciated its contribution to the workplace comedy genre.

In January 2017, Stiller invited Adam Scott to star, marking their second collaboration after The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013). In November 2019, Apple TV+ greenlit Severance for a full series, with Stiller directing and Scott starring. Though initially attached only to direct the pilot, Stiller ended up directing several episodes throughout the series’ development.

The COVID-19 pandemic delayed production, initially scheduled for March 2020. Filming for the first season began in New York City on November 8, 2020, under the working title Tumwater, just after the U.S. presidential election. The opening scene was filmed on January 6, 2021, with additional shoots taking place in Nyack, Kingston, and Beacon. By April 2021, production had moved to central New Jersey, using the Bell Labs Holmdel Complex as a stand-in for Lumon HQ, with filming slated to conclude in June.

In January 2020, several actors joined the cast, including Patricia Arquette, Britt Lower, Jen Tullock, and Zach Cherry. Tramell Tillman was added in February 2020, with John Turturro and Christopher Walken joining later that year. Turturro, who recommended Walken for the role of Burt, noted their long-standing friendship.

Apple renewed Severance for a second season on April 6, 2022, and in April 2023, Beau Willimon was brought on as an executive producer and writer. Filming for season two began in October 2022, but production was temporarily halted in May 2023 due to the Writers Guild of America strike. It resumed on May 13, 2023, in Newfoundland before being delayed again by the dual actors and writers strike. Production finally wrapped in April 2024.

A new cast for season two was announced in October 2022, including Gwendoline Christie, Bob Balaban, Merritt Wever, Alia Shawkat, Robby Benson, and others. The season was teased during Apple’s September 2022 event, showcasing Helly (Britt Lower). The first footage from season two was unveiled on June 10, 2024, with the official season two release date confirmed for January 17, 2025. The season’s trailer debuted on October 23, 2024.

Severance Release Date

Severance premiered on Apple TV+ on February 18, 2022. It received acclaim from critics and audiences for its cinematography, direction, production design, musical score, story, and performances. The first season was released in the UK on Blu-ray and DVD on December 2, 2024, in Australia on December 4, 2024, and in the United States on December 17, 2024.

The second season premiered on January 17, 2025.

Severance Episodes

SeasonEpisodesFirst releasedLast released
19February 18, 2022April 8, 2022
210January 17, 2025March 21, 2025

Severance Season 1 Episode List

EpisodeTitleAir DatePlot
S1.E1Good News About HellFri, Feb 18, 2022Mark is promoted to lead a team who’ve had their memories surgically divided between work and personal lives.
S1.E2Half LoopFri, Feb 18, 2022The team train new hire Helly on macrodata refinement. Mark takes a day off to meet with a mysterious former colleague.
S1.E3In PerpetuityFri, Feb 25, 2022Mark takes the team on a field trip, but Helly continues to rebel. A deteriorating Petey struggles to tell Mark about Lumon’s misdeeds.
S1.E4The You You AreFri, Mar 4, 2022Irving finds an intriguing book at work. Helly aggressively pursues a meeting with her Outie. Mark attends a funeral with Ms. Selvig.
S1.E5The Grim Barbarity of Optics and DesignFri, Mar 11, 2022Irving and Dylan confront Burt about his lies. Mark and Helly discover a strange new department.
S1.E6Hide and SeekFri, Mar 18, 2022The team angers Cobel by forming an alliance.
S1.E7Defiant JazzFri, Mar 25, 2022Mark and the team encounter new security measures from Cobel.
S1.E8What’s for Dinner?Fri, Apr 1, 2022The team prepares a plan. Mark attends Devon and Ricken’s party.
S1.E9The We We AreFri, Apr 8, 2022The team discovers troubling revelations.

Severance Season 2 Episode List

EpisodeTitleAir DatePlot
S2.E1Hello, Ms. CobelFri, Jan 17, 2025Mark returns to work under different circumstances. Secrets from the Outie world come to light.
S2.E2Goodbye, Mrs. SelvigFri, Jan 24, 2025Outie Mark contemplates the meaning of a message. Lumon grapples with the fallout of the Overtime Contingency.
S2.E3Who Is Alive?Fri, Jan 31, 2025Mark, Helly, Irving, and Dylan search for answers.
S2.E4Woe’s HollowFri, Feb 7, 2025The team participates in a group activity.
S2.E5Trojan’s HorseFri, Feb 14, 2025Tensions emerge after the team suffers a loss.
S2.E6AttilaFri, Feb 21, 2025
S2.E7Chikhai BardoFri, Feb 28, 2025
S2.E8Sweet VitriolFri, Mar 7, 2025
S2.E9The After HoursFri, Mar 14, 2025
S2.E10Cold HarborFri, Mar 21, 2025

Where to Watch Severance Online?

Awards & Nominations

AwardYearCategoryRecipient(s)Result
AACTA International Awards2023Best Drama SeriesSeveranceNominated
American Film Institute Awards2022Top 10 Programs of the YearSeveranceWon
Art Directors Guild Awards2023Excellence in Production Design for a One-Hour Contemporary Single-Camera SeriesJeremy Hindle (for “Good News About Hell”)Won
Artios Awards2023Outstanding Achievement in Casting – Television Pilot and First Season Drama SeriesRachel Tenner, Bess Fifer, Rick MessinaNominated
Cinema Audio Society Awards2023Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing for Television Series – One HourBryan Dembinski, Bob Chefalas, Chris Fogel, George A. Lara (for “The We We Are”)Nominated
Critics’ Choice Awards2023Best Drama SeriesSeveranceNominated
Critics’ Choice Awards2023Best Actor in a Drama SeriesAdam ScottNominated
Critics’ Choice Super Awards2023Best Actor in a Science Fiction/Fantasy Series, Limited Series or Made-for-TV MovieAdam ScottWon
Critics’ Choice Super Awards2023Best Actress in a Science Fiction/Fantasy Series, Limited Series or Made-for-TV MoviePatricia ArquetteWon
Directors Guild of America Awards2023Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic SeriesAoife McArdle (for “Hide and Seek”)Nominated
Directors Guild of America Awards2023Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic SeriesBen Stiller (for “The We We Are”)Nominated
Dorian Awards2022Best TV DramaSeveranceNominated
Dorian Awards2022Most Visually Striking ShowSeveranceNominated
Golden Globe Awards2023Best Television Series – DramaSeveranceNominated
Golden Globe Awards2023Best Actor in a Television Series – DramaAdam ScottNominated
Golden Globe Awards2023Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series – Comedy/Musical or DramaJohn TurturroNominated
Golden Reel Awards2023Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Broadcast Long Form Dialogue and ADRJacob Ribicoff, David Briggs, Gregg Swiatlowski (for “The We We Are”)Nominated
Golden Reel Awards2023Outstanding Achievement in Music Editing – Broadcast Long FormMissy Cohen, Sam Zeines, Felipe Pacheco (for “The We We Are”)Nominated
Gotham Independent Film Awards2022Breakthrough Series – Long FormSeveranceNominated
Gotham Independent Film Awards2022Outstanding Performance in a New SeriesBritt LowerNominated
Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards2022Best Streaming Series, DramaSeveranceWon
Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards2022Best Actor in a Streaming Series, DramaAdam ScottNominated
Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards2022Best Actress in a Streaming Series, DramaBritt LowerWon
Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards2022Best Supporting Actor in a Streaming Series, DramaZach CherryNominated
Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards2022Best Supporting Actor in a Streaming Series, DramaTramell TillmanNominated
Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards2022Best Supporting Actor in a Streaming Series, DramaJohn TurturroWon
Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards2022Best Supporting Actor in a Streaming Series, DramaChristopher WalkenNominated
Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards2022Best Supporting Actress in a Streaming Series, DramaPatricia ArquetteNominated
Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards2022Best Supporting Actress in a Streaming Series, DramaDichen LachmanNominated
Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards2022Best Directing in a Streaming Series, DramaAoife McArdle (for “The You You Are”)Nominated
Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards2022Best Directing in a Streaming Series, DramaBen Stiller (for “The We We Are”)Won
Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards2022Best Writing in a Streaming Series, DramaDan Erickson (for “The We We Are”)Won
Hollywood Music in Media Awards2022Original Score — TV Show/Limited SeriesTheodore ShapiroNominated
Hugo Awards2023Best Dramatic Presentation, Long FormDan Erickson, Ben Stiller, Aoife McArdle, and writing staffNominated
Independent Spirit Awards2023Best New Scripted SeriesSeveranceNominated
Independent Spirit Awards2023Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted SeriesAdam ScottNominated
Independent Spirit Awards2023Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted SeriesTramell TillmanNominated
Irish Film & Television Awards2023Director – Television DramaAoife McArdleNominated
Peabody Award2022EntertainmentSeveranceWon
People’s Choice Awards2022The Bingeworthy Show of 2022SeveranceNominated
Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards2022Outstanding Casting for a Drama SeriesRachel Tenner and Bess FiferNominated
Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards2022Outstanding Main Title DesignOliver Latta and Teddy BlanksWon
Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards2022Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score)Theodore Shapiro (for “The We We Are”)Won
Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards2022Outstanding Original Main Title Theme MusicTheodore ShapiroNominated
Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards2022Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Contemporary Program (One Hour or More)Jeremy Hindle, Nick Francone, Angelica Borrero-Fortier, and Andrew Baseman (for “Good News About Hell”)Nominated
Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards2022Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Drama SeriesErica Freed Marker and Geoffrey Richman (for “In Perpetuity”)Nominated
Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards2022Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Drama SeriesGeoffrey Richman (for “The We We Are”)Nominated
Primetime Emmy Awards2022Outstanding Drama SeriesBen Stiller, Nicholas Weinstock, Jackie Cohn, Mark Friedman, Dan Erickson, Andrew Colville, Chris Black, John Cameron, Jill Footlick, Kari Drake, Adam Scott, Patricia Arquette, Aoife McArdle, Amanda Overton, and Gerry Robert BryneNominated
Primetime Emmy Awards2022Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama SeriesAdam Scott (for “Good News About Hell”)Nominated
Primetime Emmy Awards2022Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama SeriesJohn Turturro (for “Defiant Jazz”)Nominated
Primetime Emmy Awards2022Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama SeriesChristopher Walken (for “The Grim Barbarity of Optics and Design”)Nominated
Primetime Emmy Awards2022Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama SeriesPatricia Arquette (for “What’s for Dinner?”)Nominated
Primetime Emmy Awards2022Outstanding Directing for a Drama SeriesBen Stiller (for “The We We Are”)Nominated
Primetime Emmy Awards2022Outstanding Writing for a Drama SeriesDan Erickson (for “The We We Are”)Nominated
Producers Guild of America Awards2023Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, DramaSeveranceNominated
Satellite Awards2023Best Drama SeriesSeveranceNominated
Satellite Awards2023Best Actor in a Drama / Genre SeriesAdam ScottNominated
Saturn Awards2022Best Streaming Horror/Thriller Television SeriesSeveranceNominated
Saturn Awards2022Best Actor in a Streaming Television SeriesAdam ScottNominated
Saturn Awards2022Best Actress in a Streaming Television SeriesBritt LowerNominated
Saturn Awards2022Best Supporting Actor in a Streaming Television SeriesZach CherryNominated
Saturn Awards2022Best Supporting Actor in a Streaming Television SeriesJohn TurturroNominated
Saturn Awards2022Best Supporting Actress in a Streaming Television SeriesPatricia ArquetteNominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards2023Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama SeriesAdam ScottNominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards2023Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama SeriesPatricia Arquette, Michael Chernus, Zach Cherry, Michael Cumpsty, Dichen Lachman, Britt Lower, Adam Scott, Tramell Tillman, Jen Tullock, John Turturro, Christopher WalkenNominated
Set Decorators Society of America Awards2022Best Achievement in Décor/Design of a One Hour Contemporary SeriesAndrew Baseman and Jeremy HindleNominated
Society of Composers & Lyricists Awards2023Outstanding Score for TelevisionTheodore ShapiroNominated
Television Critics Association Awards2022Program of the YearSeveranceNominated
Television Critics Association Awards2022Outstanding Achievement in DramaSeveranceNominated
Television Critics Association Awards2022Outstanding New ProgramSeveranceNominated
Television Critics Association Awards2022Individual Achievement in DramaAdam ScottNominated
Venice TV Awards2023Best TV SeriesSeveranceNominated
Visual Effects Society Awards2023Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Photoreal EpisodeVadim Turchin, Nicole Melius, David Piombino, David Rouxel (for “Pilot”)Nominated
Webby Awards2022Best ActorAdam ScottWon
Writers Guild of America Awards2023Drama SeriesChris Black, Andrew Colville, Kari Drake, Dan Erickson, Mark Friedman, Helen Leigh, Anna Moench, Amanda OvertonWon
Writers Guild of America Awards2023New SeriesChris Black, Andrew Colville, Kari Drake, Dan Erickson, Mark Friedman, Helen Leigh, Anna Moench, Amanda OvertonWon
Writers Guild of America Awards2023Episodic DramaDan Erickson (for “The We We Are”)Nominated

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