Directed by Ben Stiller and from his RedHour productions, the Apple TV+ series surreal office works thriller “Severance” became a massive hit in the winter of 2022. Trying to capitalize on the buzz, Apple TV is moving fast on season two and has added a bevy of new actors as production has begun.
The new casting additions include Gwendoline Christie (“Game of Thrones,” “Sandman“), Alia Shawkat (“Search Party,” “Old Man“), Bob Balaban (“Seinfeld,” “The French Dispatch“), Merrit Wever (“Unbelievable,” “Godless”), Robby Benson (“Beauty & The Beast,” “One To One”), Stefano Carannante (“Mirabilia”), John Noble (“Fringe,” “Elementary,” “The Lord of The Rings” films) and Ólafur Darri Ólafsson (“The Tourist”). An impressive collection of actors that should fit nicely into the comedic genre series.
Filming has started already with returning cast members such as Adam Scott, Patricia Arquette, John Turturro, Britt Lower, Zach Cherry, Dichen Lachman, Jen Tullock, Tramell Tillman, Michael Chernus, and Christopher Walken. Many fans of season one will likely be relieved to see that original cast come back.
“Severance” director and executive producer Ben Stiller commented on season two in a statement, “We are thrilled and delighted to be back on set for the exciting second chapter of ‘Severance.’ Though we don’t know how long we’ve been gone or who we are outside, we are told people enjoy the show, and we couldn’t be happier. Praise Kier!”
“Severance” centers on the Lumon company, a corporation that surgically severs employees’ memories dividing their work and personal lives, in order to create a “world life balance,” but as the show continues, seems to suggest more sinister reasons for the operation. Here’s the show’s official synopsis:
In “Severance,” Mark Scout (Adam Scott) leads a team at Lumon Industries, whose employees have undergone a severance procedure, which surgically divides their memories between their work and personal lives. This daring experiment in ‘work-life balance’ is called into question as Mark finds himself at the center of an unraveling mystery that will force him to confront the true nature of his work… and of himself.
Hopefully, “Severance” will return in early 2023.