'Severance' Recap: A Look Back at Season 1 of the Award-Winning Show

The TV show "Severance," a blend of drama and mystery, was warmly received and even secured two prime-time Emmy awards. From the first frame to the breathtaking season finale, viewers were spellbound by the intricate storytelling and compelling characters they loved.

In February 2022, the debut of "Severance" had sci-fi drama enthusiasts on the edge of their seats. Shortly after its premiere, fans started speculating about the upcoming second season as they had fallen in love with the storylines and more.

The show was well-received due to the outstanding performances of the cast, the engaging storyline, and the high-quality production. Reports suggest that the much-anticipated second season of "Severance" is expected to return by 2024.

"Severance" season one captivated fans and garnered an impressive 14 Emmy nominations, ultimately winning two out of those 14. Additionally, it received two nominations from Critics Choice Awards and Satellite Awards each, among other nominations from Screen Actors Guild Awards, Golden Globes, Film Independent Spirit Awards, and more.

Among the over 90 nominations, the series was noted for its dramatic presentation, visual effects, outstanding editing, score, opening credits, direction, casting, writing, production design, sound mixing, and more.

Recap of 'Severance' Season 1

The award-winning series follows the storyline of how employees from the sci-fi company Lumon manage their work-life balance. Mark Scout, played by Adam Scott, leads a team of office workers whose memories have been surgically divided between their work and personal lives.

When a mysterious colleague appears outside of work, it begins a journey to discover the truth about their job. Here's a quick recall of what happened in the series for those who missed season one and are excited about season two.

In the initial episodes, Helly Riggs (portrayed by Britt Lower) wakes up at her job in Lumon Industries after undergoing a severance that separates her consciousness between her personal life and work life.

Mark gets promoted in his workplace due to his colleague Petey Kilmer's absence. Both Helly and Mark have parallel experiences with their "outie" versions. Helly faces challenges at work while trying to quit, and Irving Bailiff (played by John Turturro) seeks counseling for mental struggles.

Petey's return raises suspicions, leading to a tense encounter with Mark's neighbor. The Perpetuity Wing and a mysterious phone call from Petey add to the intrigue. As the series progresses, the plot gradually unfolds and develops.

The Showrunner Dan Erickson Hinted about What to Expect in 'Severance' Season 2

The show concluded with a captivating finale filled with intense moments. In an interview, the show's creator, Dan Erickson, responded to a question about how they managed to balance the tone and tension in that particular episode. In response, Dan stated:

"I have to give a lot of credit to Ben Stiller because, in addition to being one of the best working directors, he has a great sense of story."

Dan further disclosed that he received advice from Ben Stiller, emphasizing the importance of not rushing the storyline. Ben's insight highlighted that audiences might desire answers sooner than they could be given.

Dan further disclosed that he received advice from Ben Stiller, emphasizing the importance of not rushing the storyline. Ben's insight highlighted that audiences might desire answers sooner than they could be given.

The show's creator then elaborated on his original intention, sharing that he initially intended for the finale to serve as the second to last episode. He also stated that he planned to have another episode where viewers would see the aftermath of what happened.

He further clarified that in the season finale of "Severance," the primary goal was to reward the viewers' patience by delivering something intense and immersive. The intention was to put viewers into the characters' shoes, creating a disorienting and unsettling experience.

The ultimate aim was for this cliffhanger episode to be where the story truly kicks off and gains momentum. Dan also hinted at what viewers should expect in "Severance" season two. While he didn't reveal much about the upcoming season, he said there was an overall plan.

Dan added that he had an endpoint in mind, stating that he didn't intentionally plan it season by season because he wanted the show to be flexible enough to have as many seasons as possible. He said:

"I want to allow us to be surprised by where the show goes. There's a sense of what Lumon is trying to do and the role that our main characters are going to play in that, and where it all will culminate. It's really exciting to think about taking the next step on that trip."

Patricia Arquette Hinted 'Severance' Season 2 Will Be Scary

Patricia Arquette, who portrays Harmony Cobel, also shared insights about "Severance" season two, advising fans to prepare for a strong sense of fear and anticipation. Patricia gave details about the upcoming season during the 28th annual Critics' Choice Awards.

The skilled actress emphasized that viewers should brace themselves for fear in the upcoming season. She also mentioned that the cast and production team had exerted substantial effort to generate many creative ideas. "Be scared, very scared. No, I think these guys have been working really hard, and come up with a lot of really creative things," she said.

The actress further unveiled that the production team held an extensive realm of ideas, with the cast gradually getting glimpses of unfolding events. She emphasized the anticipation of a delightful and visually captivating outcome.

Patricia also said she enjoyed engaging with fans' theories and their imaginative ideas for the show's trajectory. Still, the actress refrained from giving away significant details about "Severance" season two, admitting that she was kept in the dark and didn't know much information about what to anticipate until filming began.

Unfortunately, the production of "Severance" season two came to a standstill following the WGA (Writers Guild of America) strike. The hit Apple TV+ drama series had its second season's filming temporarily paused in New York due to the ongoing strike by writers.

The writers' strike has paused production on "Severance" season two and affected other prominent series. Hits like Netflix's acclaimed drama "Stranger Things," HBO Max's "Hacks," Showtime's "Billions," and Starz's series "The Venery of Samantha Bird" have all experienced disruptions in production due to the ongoing strike.

The strike has impacted the entertainment industry and eager audiences anticipating new seasons. "Severance" season 1 which also features Zach Cherry, Dichen Lachman, and Christopher Walken, among others, will have Gwendoline Christie, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Bob Balaban, Robby Benson, Merritt Wever, Stefano Carannante, Alia Shawkat, and John Noble in its second season.