Apple has made its biggest move yet in securing the future of Severance, with a price tag of $70 million. This comes after Deadline revealed that Apple TV has acquired Severance outright from its original home, Fifth Season. This means that Apple TV now owns all rights to Severance, making it an in-house production of Apple Studios, as opposed to it simply being licensed by the platform as it is now. This purchase comes after Season 2 of Severance became a huge success, with it becoming the most-watched series on Apple TV with 27 Emmy nominations, as well as eight wins. It also comes with a price tag, as it is said that each episode of Season 2 costs around $20 million.
This, coupled with production delays, caused problems with the previous licensing deal. But why did it cost so much? Control. It is said that the deal was sealed towards the end of 2025, with a price tag of around $70 million. There is progress, but patience will be required.
Owning the IP gives Apple full creative control
The showrunners, along with the writers, have already completed six scripts for Season 3. They are now working on writing more. Filming will take place in the summer of 2026. This will most likely result in a mid-to-late 2027 release date. This is because the show requires a lot of work during the post-production phase. This means fans will have to wait close to three years for the next installment. This is disappointing, to say the least. However, it is also a result of the show’s meticulous production process. The writers prefer to have the script written before filming. This ensures no changes during the filming process.
While Season 3 is confirmed, Season 4 is also expected. Ben Stiller and showrunner Dan Erickson had always planned to make four seasons. This would cover the story of Mark Scout. While it is possible, it is by no means guaranteed. There is a possibility of a fifth season as well. However, it is unlikely. More interesting is the fact that Apple seems to be keen on making the most out of the show.
Now that they own it, they can make spinoffs. These can cover other departments of Lumon. There can also be prequels about Kier Eagan and the story of severance. There is also a possibility of adaptations set outside the US. Not everyone is happy about the “Severance Extended Universe” idea. This is because the show is unique. This uniqueness will not easily lend itself to a franchise. From the perspective of Apple, having the IP means they can fill the gaps between seasons. Lumon is definitely here to stay.
