‘Severance’ Season 2 on Apple TV+ Delayed After Showrunners Have a Falling Out

By Radhamely De Leon
Published April 28, 2023, 12:15 p.m. ET

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Severance Season 2 is reportedly facing significant production delays after the series co-showrunners had a major falling out on set.

According to a report from Puck News, co-showrunners Mark Friedman and Dan Erickson “ended up hating each other” before Season 1 wrapped, creating a “toxic” work environment on set. Erickson, the series creator and industry newcomer, and Friedman are reportedly no longer on speaking terms.

Friedman planned to leave the show before Season 2 production started but was asked to return after executive producer and director Ben Stiller failed to find a proper replacement. Production has continued with the same issues, though the report states Apple is already eyeing a third and fourth season for the “awards magnet.”

The industry newsletter states the Apple TV+ sci-fi series has been plagued by “pricey problems,” including script issues and “ballooning” episode costs.

Stiller hired House of Cards creator and Andor writer Beau Willimon to start hammering out Season 3 ahead of the impending writers strike, but Willimon apparently noticed that they needed more help on Season 2. Willimon is now working on both.

According to the report, the per-episode cost for the sci-fi series has reached an unwieldy $20 million.

Severance landed with a splash when it premiered on Apple TV+ in 2022. The sci-fi series follows a group of colleagues who work at Lumon Industries, a mysterious company that severs the memories of their personal lives while they’re at work, and vice versa, so they have no recollection of that other side.

The first season ended with a major cliffhanger, just as the colleagues were beginning to uncover the mystery surrounding the company.

The show secured six Primetime Emmy Award nominations after its debut, boding well for how Season 2 will fare once it releases.

A release date for Severance Season 2 has not been announced yet. Considering these reports of pending delays, it could be a while before we return to Lumon Industries.