Sci-fi thriller Severance has given an update on its third season, with a big behind-the-scenes change. Additionally, a likely production start date has emerged.
The record breaking hit series, which follows employees at the fictional Lumon Industries who have undergone a ‘severance’ procedure that separates their work and personal memories, aired its second season on Apple TV a year ago.
The show has been a big hit with fans, some on IMDb calling it “outstanding” and a “masterclass in tension, mystery, and existential dread”.
It has now been revealed that the streamer will be bringing the show in-house into their own studio after being made by third party company Fifth Season for its first two seasons, with Apple buying the IP and the rights, according to Deadline.
However, Fifth Season will still be on board as an executive producer, and the site notes that the deal could mean a smoother production process after some behind-the-scenes financial issues during the making of season 2.
Apple TV+
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It is also reported that season 3 could start filming this summer, though scripts are still being written and the likes of director Ben Stiller and Apple want to make sure everything is completely tight script-wise before beginning shooting, avoiding an issue that cropped up during season 2 that led to reshoots.
Last year, Stiller insisted that fans won’t have to wait three years for the next season like the gap between seasons 1 and 2.
“No, the plan is not to [wait three years],” he explained on the New Heights podcast. “Hopefully we’ll be announcing what the plan is very soon.”
Apple TV+
Reflecting on the delays amid the 2023 Hollywood strikes, Stiller recalled: “It took us a little bit to regroup, and the show, we shot for 186 days on season two. Editing takes a while, but thank goodness the audience was there when we came back.
“The challenge was to get people who hadn’t seen the show to watch the first season, so Apple did a really good job of getting the word out and we did as much press as we could.”
Stiller won’t be involved in the director’s chair in season 3, however, though has assured fans he is still part of the creative team as he praised the “incredible directors and a team that creates the show” and suggested the new episodes will be “the best yet”.
Severance seasons 1-2 are streaming now on Apple TV+.
Read more Apple TV+ news on our dedicated homepage
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Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Â Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every ‘t’ and dotting every ‘i’ as a sub-editor.