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Is Severance based on a book?

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Severance is not based on a book, but there is a novel of the same name which has received more attention since the success of the series.

Apple TV+ is one of the newest entrants in the paid subscription streaming service market. The platform has created a niche with its original content by creating shows that attempt to subvert already existing genres.

The streaming service is home to the likes of drama series, The Morning Show, and record-breaking comedy, Ted Lasso. The most recent original show to have garnered a cult following is the satirical sci-fi series, Severance.

The series premiered in February 2022 and was believed to have been inspired by the 2018 sci-fi novel of the same name, but this is not the case.

What Is Severance?

Severance is the Apple TV+ original series that first premiered on the platform in February 2022, with the first season comprising nine episodes.

The series was created by Daniel Erikson, with legendary actor and director, Ben Stiller standing as the head director of the series with Aoife McArdle.

The premise of the series is, “Mark 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 jobs.”

Adam Scott leads the cast in the title role of Mark.

Is Severance Based On A Book?

Severance’s success hinges on the series’ ability to create exciting and unexpected twists in every episode. That being said, a key factor in the success of the series is that it concludes every episode with a cliffhanger.

Fans that watched the series in real-time had a week to create conspiracy theories that would only be confirmed or denied after the release of the new episode a week later.

It is likely because of the series that fans discovered the 2018 satirical science-fiction novel by American-Chinese author, Ling Ma, of the same name. The novel is also set in a post-pandemic period, however, the narrative is completely different from that of the series.

In the book, the narrative follows the main protagonist, Candace, an unfulfilled Bible coordinator, before the pandemic hit and set her story in the book into action.

Therefore, while the book and novel might share the same name and common underlying themes in some instances, the two are mutually exclusive bodies of work.

Will There Be A Severance Season Two?

As a result of Apple TV+ opting to release Severance’s nine-episode first season weekly, the series aired between February 2022 and April 2022.

News that the series was renewed for a second season was confirmed even before the conclusion of season one.

Moreover, it seems that the creator and writers of the show are banking on the success of the series when it returns for its second season, as Daniel Erikson has teased that he is already starting to work on the third season of the show.

Although, confirmation of a third season has not been publicly announced or confirmed by Apple TV+.

Ben Stiller On Severance’S Success

Ben Stiller, who is one of the head directors of the series, seemed to know that the series would be a success as he shared with Variety, “It has always been a multi-season story and I’m really happy we get to continue it. I’m grateful to our partners at Apple TV+ who have been behind it the whole way. Praise Kier!”

Reflecting on the journey it took from script to television Stiller stated, “It has been a long road bringing ‘Severance’ to television. I first read Dan’s pilot over five years ago.”

Adding, “It’s really exciting to see the response from people who are loving the show — and the level of fan engagement.”

When Will Severance Return?

To date, there has been no projected release date for Severance season two, a fact that is not surprising considering that the series only concluded its first season in April 2022.

Moreover, from what has been shared so far, it seems that as much as the story arc of season two is nuanced, the series has yet to begin production for the upcoming season.

Therefore, we can project a similar release date for the series in 2023, as the television and film industry begin to adjust to the new normal and return to releasing series according to routine annual schedules.

Final Thoughts

Severance is the latest of the Apple TV+ original shows, and it has garnered a cult following, recently concluding its nine-episode first season. It is touted as a dark satirical sci-fi series filled with cliffhangers and unexpected, exciting twists and turns.

At one point, Severance was thought to have been based on the 2018 sci-fi comedic novel by Ling Ma of the same name. Though this is not true, the series is wholly original and created by the acclaimed Daniel Erikson. The first season was so successful that the series has already been renewed for an imminent season two return.

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