The Making of Severance: From Script to Screen

Severance began as a speculative screenplay by Dan Erickson, who wrote the pilot while working a series of unfulfilling office jobs. The script, originally titled "Severance," circulated in Hollywood for years before finding its way to Ben Stiller's production company, Red Hour Films.

Erickson has spoken in interviews about how his own experiences in corporate environments inspired the show's premise. He describes feeling like a different person at work versus at home, which sparked the thought experiment: what if that separation was literal? The screenplay eventually landed on the 2016 "Black List," an annual survey of Hollywood executives' favorite unproduced scripts.

When Ben Stiller first read Erickson's script, he was immediately drawn to its unique premise and dark humor. Stiller, primarily known for his comedic work as an actor and director, had been looking to move into more dramatic territory. He signed on to direct several episodes and serve as an executive producer.

Apple TV+, looking to build its streaming platform with distinctive original content, greenlit the series in 2019. Production was initially scheduled to begin in 2020 but faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Filming finally commenced in October 2020 in and around New York City, with the distinctive Lumon headquarters scenes shot at Bell Labs Holmdel Complex in New Jersey—a massive, stark modernist building designed by Eero Saarinen that perfectly embodied the show's clinical aesthetic.

The casting process brought together an exceptional ensemble. Adam Scott, known for comedy roles in shows like "Parks and Recreation," was cast against type as Mark Scout, the grieving employee who becomes central to the story. Patricia Arquette, John Turturro, Christopher Walken, and Britt Lower rounded out the main cast, bringing gravitas and nuance to the strange world of Lumon Industries.

During development, Erickson worked closely with Stiller to expand the original concept into a full series. They focused on building the mythology of Lumon Industries and deepening the mystery surrounding the severance procedure. The writers' room crafted elaborate backstories for characters and the corporation itself, much of which remains unrevealed to viewers, creating the sense of a fully realized world beyond what's shown on screen.

Stiller's directorial approach was crucial in establishing the show's distinctive visual language. He collaborated closely with cinematographer Jessica Lee Gagné, who had worked with him on the series "Escape at Dannemora." Together, they created the show's signature look: symmetrical compositions, sterile environments, and subtle color contrasts between the innie and outie worlds.

The production design team, led by Jeremy Hindle, constructed the labyrinthine Lumon offices on soundstages, creating the iconic white corridors and the distinctive MDR department with its vintage computer terminals. The design deliberately evokes both retro and futuristic elements, creating a timeless quality that adds to the show's unsettling atmosphere.

Severance premiered on Apple TV+ on February 18, 2022, to critical acclaim. Critics praised its originality, performances, and visual style, with many highlighting how the show served as an allegory for modern work life. Its first season concluded with a cliffhanger finale that left audiences eagerly anticipating the second season, which was delayed due to industry strikes but remains one of the most anticipated returns in recent television.

The show's success demonstrated the viability of high-concept, thought-provoking science fiction on streaming platforms and established Apple TV+ as a destination for innovative original programming.