“Severance” is a psychological thriller and dark comedy created by Dan Erikson and produced and directed by Ben Stiller. It received 41 Emmy Award nominations, with Britt Lower winning “Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series” and Tramell Tillman winning “Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.” Additionally, it is AppleTV+’s most-viewed series.
“Severance” follows employees at Lumon Industries, which exists in a universe where people’s memories can be split between their work life and personal life through a “severance procedure.” This procedure effectively creates two separate streams of consciousness for the person, with their work and home selves having completely different lives and identities.
The series primarily follows Mark (Adam Scott) and Helly (Britt Lower). Mark received the severance procedure to cope with the death of his wife Gemma, and Helly is a new employee at Lumon who is very reluctant to accept her new reality. Helly was hired after Petey, a previous employee at Lumon, disappeared. Both characters quickly discover that not everything at Lumon is as it seems, and that something sinister is lurking below the surface.
“Severance” is a fascinating series, although I cannot describe it in much detail without spoilers. The series draws you into its story while leaving you theorizing and searching for the next piece of the puzzle. There is not a dull moment in “Severance,” with every episode leaving the viewer itching to know what happens next.
Much praise has been given for the impressive directing and cinematography of “Severance,” and I agree with this praise. The behind-the-scenes work is something that you consider more when watching “Severance” than you do with many other films and TV shows.
“Severance” has also featured unique marketing, with a pop-up showcasing the main cast working at their desks in the Grand Central subway station in New York City ahead of season two’s release. The cast worked and interacted in an enclosed box for two and a half hours while people watched.
“Severance” currently has two seasons released, with season three expected to begin filming in mid-2026. I encourage everyone interested in media that challenges viewers psychologically to give it a try, as it is one of the most interesting shows I have ever seen.
