In the crowded landscape of streaming television, it’s the shows that resonate with universal truths, yet astonish us with imaginative storytelling, that truly stand out. ‘Severance’, the brainchild of creator Dan Erickson and a standout series on AppleTV+, exemplifies this balance brilliantly. This show is more than just a sci-fi series; it’s a profound exploration of the work-life dichotomy that plagues modern society.
How ‘Severance’ Turns Workplace Fantasies Into Gripping Sci-Fi
At first glance, the premise of ‘Severance’ might seem like a radical experiment in science fiction. The show introduces us to a group of office workers who undergo a medical procedure called ‘Severance’, which bifurcates their memories, separating their work lives from their personal lives. What’s striking about this concept is its origin—a moment of mundane fantasy experienced by Erickson himself.
Like many before him, Erickson faced the drudgery of an unfulfilling job. “I was walking into work one day and just found myself wishing that I could skip the next eight hours entirely, and I could just disassociate. I was like, ‘I would totally do that if I could,'” Erickson revealed in an interview with IndieWire. This fleeting thought, born out of a visceral dread of the daily grind, sparked the idea for ‘Severance’.
The Relatable Foundation of a High-Concept Series
Before ‘Severance’ became a hit, Erickson was a corporate employee navigating a post-grad world, taking the first job he could find on Craigslist. The job involved distributing doors and gates, a task Erickson describes as “kind of mind-numbing work.” It was during these monotonous moments that the seeds for ‘Severance’ were sown.
As Erickson mulled over his desire to detach from his work life, he began to see the potential for a story that could speak to a universal audience. The concept of disassociating from one’s job to endure it is not just a fantasy; it’s a coping mechanism many workers silently entertain. By channeling his own experiences and the corporate doublespeak he learned in subsequent jobs, Erickson crafted a narrative that is both imaginative and eerily relatable.
The Staggering Economics of ‘Severance’ Season 2
The success of ‘Severance’ led to the green-lighting of a second season, which, according to Forbes, boasts a budget of $20 million per episode. This figure is astonishing, especially when compared to other high-profile series like Netflix’s ‘The Witcher’ and ‘The Crown’. The financial commitment by AppleTV+ highlights the confidence in ‘Severance’ as a flagship series, capable of drawing viewers with its unique blend of speculative fiction and deep psychological insight.
This budget not only covers the logistical costs of production but also compensates a stellar cast, including Adam Scott, John Turturro, and Christopher Walken, whose performances have been pivotal to the show’s success. The increase in budget for season two might also reflect the challenges posed by industry-wide strikes and the need to maintain continuity in a complex production.
A Simple Idea, A Phenomenal Show
‘Severance’ stands as a testament to the power of a simple idea transformed through creative storytelling into something extraordinary. It taps into a collective yearning for escapism from the often oppressive realities of work, making it a compelling watch for anyone who has ever wished they could hit the pause button on their professional life.
As fans eagerly await the release of season two, they are not just looking forward to another season of captivating television. They are anticipating a continued exploration of the delicate balance between work and personal life, a theme that resonates more deeply in today’s hyper-connected world than ever before. ‘Severance’ isn’t just a show; it’s a mirror to our modern-day struggles, coated in the beguiling veneer of sci-fi spectacle.