History of Severance (TV series) in Timeline

Severance is a science fiction psychological thriller series centered around Lumon Industries employees who undergo a procedure separating their work and personal memories. This creates distinct "innie" (work-self) and "outie" (personal-self) identities. The series explores the ethical implications and psychological impact of this severance procedure, as the innies begin to question their existence and the true nature of Lumon Industries. Led by Mark Scout (Adam Scott), the severed employees uncover dark secrets about the corporation, leading to suspenseful attempts to expose the truth and regain control over their lives. The show delves into themes of corporate control, identity, and the human desire for freedom.

1944: Influence of No Exit

In 1944, the Jean-Paul Sartre play No Exit influenced the creation of Severance.

1949: Influence of Nineteen Eighty-Four

In 1949, the George Orwell novel Nineteen Eighty-Four influenced the creation of Severance.

1984: 75th Anniversary

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2013: Stiller and Scott work together in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

In 2013, Stiller and Scott had previously worked together in Stiller's movie The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.

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2013: Influence of The Stanley Parable

In 2013, the video game The Stanley Parable influenced the creation of Severance.

2015: Erickson and Stiller develop Severance

In 2015, Erickson and Stiller initially developed the concept for Severance.

2015: Erickson submits pilot script

In 2015, Erickson submitted his pilot script to Ben Stiller's production company, Red Hour Productions. Stiller read the script at least five years before Severance premiered.

2016: Screenplay appears on Blood List

In 2016, Erickson's screenplay for the pilot of Severance appeared on Blood List's survey results of the best unproduced genre screenplays.

January 2017: Adam Scott invited to star

In January 2017, Stiller invited Adam Scott to star in Severance.

November 2019: Series order by Apple TV+

In November 2019, Apple TV+ gave Severance a series order, with Stiller directing and Scott in the leading role.

2019: Series greenlit by Apple TV

In 2019, Apple TV greenlit the Severance series with Scott attached to it.

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January 2020: Cast additions: Arquette, Lower, Tullock, and Cherry

In January 2020, Patricia Arquette, Britt Lower, Jen Tullock, and Zach Cherry joined the cast of Severance.

February 2020: Cast addition: Tramell Tillman

In February 2020, Tramell Tillman joined the cast of Severance.

March 2020: Production postponed due to COVID-19

In March 2020, the initial production start of Severance was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

November 8, 2020: Principal photography begins

Principal photography for the first season of Severance started in New York City on November 8, 2020, under the working title Tumwater.

November 2020: Cast additions: Turturro and Walken

In November 2020, John Turturro and Christopher Walken were added to the cast of Severance.

December 2020: Cast addition: Dichen Lachman

In December 2020, Dichen Lachman was cast in Severance.

December 2020: First season cast completed

In December 2020, the full cast for the first season of Severance was finalized.

January 6, 2021: Opening scene shot

On January 6, 2021, the opening scene of the show Severance was shot.

June 23, 2021: Original scheduled conclusion of filming

Filming of Severance was originally scheduled to conclude on June 23, 2021.

April 6, 2022: Series renewed for second season

On April 6, 2022, Apple renewed the Severance series for a second season.

April 8, 2022: End of first season

On April 8, 2022, the first season of Severance concluded its airing.

September 7, 2022: Second season teased at Apple Event

On September 7, 2022, the second season of Severance was teased during the Apple Event, featuring Helly (Britt Lower).

October 3, 2022: Second season filming begins

Filming for the second season of Severance began on October 3, 2022, in New York City.

October 2022: Second season cast announced

In October 2022, the cast for the second season of Severance was publicly announced.

October 31, 2022: Season two cast announced

On October 31, 2022, Gwendoline Christie, Bob Balaban, Merritt Wever, Alia Shawkat, Robby Benson, Stefano Carannante, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, and John Noble were announced to have joined the cast for season two of Severance.

April 2023: Beau Willimon hired as executive producer

In April 2023, Beau Willimon was hired as an executive producer and writer for the second and potential third seasons of Severance.

May 8, 2023: Production shut down due to WGA strike

On May 8, 2023, production of the second season of Severance was shut down due to the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike.

May 12, 2023: Original wrapping date of second season

May 12, 2023, was the set wrapping date of filming for the second season in New York City.

May 13, 2023: Production resumes in Newfoundland

On May 13, 2023, production of Severance resumed in Newfoundland after the initial shut down.

January 29, 2024: Filming resumed for Season 2

On January 29, 2024, filming for the second season of Severance resumed after being shut down due to the actors and writers strikes.

April 23, 2024: Filming wrapped for Season 2

On April 23, 2024, filming for the second season of Severance wrapped up.

June 10, 2024: First footage from season 2 released

On June 10, 2024, the first footage from season 2 of Severance was released as part of a promo for upcoming Apple TV+ programming.

July 9, 2024: Teaser for Season 2 announcement

On July 9, 2024, a post on the Apple TV+ account on social media platform X teased an announcement about season 2. A light blinked the word "tomorrow" in Morse code in the video.

October 23, 2024: First trailer for Season 2 released

On October 23, 2024, the first trailer for the second season was released.

December 2, 2024: First season released in the UK

On December 2, 2024, the first season of Severance was released in the UK on Blu-ray and DVD.

December 4, 2024: First season released in Australia

On December 4, 2024, the first season of Severance was released in Australia on DVD and Blu-ray.

December 17, 2024: First season released in the United States

On December 17, 2024, the first season of Severance was released in the United States on DVD and Blu-ray.

January 14, 2025: 'Macrodata Refinement' office recreated at Grand Central Terminal

On January 14, 2025, three days before the premiere of the second season, Apple TV+ recreated the show's 'Macrodata Refinement' office inside a glass box at Grand Central Terminal. Cast members behaved as if working at Lumon Industries for two and a half hours.

January 2025: Official podcast premiere

In January 2025, the official Severance podcast premiered, hosted by Ben Stiller and Adam Scott.

January 17, 2025: Season 2 debut

On January 10, 2024, Apple TV+ announced that season 2 would debut on January 17, 2025.

March 21, 2025: Series renewed for third season

On March 21, 2025, shortly after the premiere of the season 2 finale, Apple announced the renewal of the series for a third season.

March 21, 2025: End of second season

On March 21, 2025, the second season of Severance concluded its airing.

March 26, 2025: Cast members celebrate renewal in London

On March 26, 2025, some Severance cast members appeared at Tower Bridge in London to celebrate the renewal of season 3. On the same day, Apple updated their computer section on their website to include the Lumon Terminal Pro as a marketing promotion.

2025: Most watched series on Apple TV+

In 2025, Severance became the most watched series in the history of Apple TV+.

2025: "SA Macrodata Refinement" keycap set re-released

In 2025, the keycap set was re-released under the name "SA Macrodata Refinement".

2025: Show aesthetic described as having a Dieter Rams look to it

In a 2025 interview, Jeremy Hindle described the show's aesthetic as having "a Dieter Rams look to it."

February 2026: Apple TV acquires intellectual property

In February 2026, Apple TV acquired the intellectual property and all rights to the series Severance from Fifth Season, with Apple Studio becoming the production company.

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