Apple has taken full ownership of its hit workplace drama series Severance, acquiring all intellectual property and rights from production studio Fifth Season in a deal valued at just under $70 million, according to a new report. That makes additional seasons of the fan-favorite show — and spinoff series — more likely.
Apple purchase may ensure Severance franchise expansion
The transaction, finalized late last year, means Apple Studios will now produce the Emmy-winning sci-fi workplace psycho-thriller going forward, according to Deadline. Fifth Season will transition to an executive producer role. The move mirrors a similar handover that occurred with another Apple TV hit, Silo, after its first season. So a whole lot more than season three of Severance could be on the way. And that could include another season or two plus new spinoff shows expanding the show’s universe.
From ‘outie’ to ‘innie’ production
Photo: Apple TV+
Severance, which can cost up to $20 million per episode for its 10-episode second season, represents a significant addition to Apple Studios’ portfolio. The acquisition gives Apple greater control over one of its most critically acclaimed and watched series. It became the streamer’s most-watched show at the time of season 2’s release and earned 27 Emmy nominations in 2025, winning eight awards.
The deal reflects Apple’s ongoing strategy to build its in-house production capabilities. While the company launched Apple TV in 2019 by licensing content from outside studios to scale quickly — a strategy that produced hits like Ted Lasso — Apple has steadily grown its studio operations. More than six years later, Apple Studios now produces approximately half of the platform’s slate.
Production challenges drove the decision
Severance season 2’s production proved particularly challenging for Fifth Season, according to Deadline. Filming began in October 2022 and didn’t wrap until April 2024. Costs escalated due to extended COVID-19 protocols, an eight-and-a-half-month shutdown during Hollywood strikes and extensive reshoots following script changes.
The series’ intricate storytelling, massive sets and extensive visual effects make it complicated and expensive to produce. Executive producer and director Ben Stiller brings a feature film mentality to the show, demanding precision on every detail. Severance films in New York to take advantage of tax credits, but payment delays combined with rising borrowing costs — from 1% to 5.5-6% — created financial pressures during the lengthy gap between seasons.
Apple concluded it could better manage these financial burdens as the owner, including waiting for tax rebates without pressure to relocate production to Canada for faster cash flow.
Plans for seasons 3, 4 and beyond
Photo: Apple TV+
Season 3 has been officially renewed, with a fourth season considered a certainty. Creator Dan Erickson and Stiller have publicly discussed envisioning a 3-4 season arc, which aligns with Apple’s plans. A fifth season remains a possibility, depending on the creators’ vision.
More significantly, Erickson and Stiller are open to expanding the Severance universe through prequels, spinoffs or international versions. With three-year gaps between seasons, Apple sees potential in releasing smaller-scale offshoots to maintain fan engagement — a strategy similar to how Breaking Bad spawned Better Call Saul.
Apple hopes to begin filming season 3 this summer, though the timeline remains tentative. Six scripts have been completed, with several more in development. Learning from season 2’s challenges, plans call for finalizing all scripts before production begins to avoid costly shutdowns and reshoots.
Severance franchise expansion: The broader strategy
The Severance acquisition exemplifies Apple’s evolving approach to content ownership. Sure, the company plans to continue licensing series from outside studio. That will ensure top talent like Bill Lawrence continue bringing projects to the platform. But owning shows provides greater flexibility in negotiations, scheduling and budget management.
Apple Studios has now produced 17 series and 10 films, including recent successes like F1: The Movie. It became the highest-grossing sports feature of all time and earned a Best Picture Oscar nomination.
For Apple TV users, the investment signals the company’s commitment to premium, distinctive programming and suggests that the strange, compelling world of Lumon Industries may expand well beyond the severed floor.
Watch Severance on Apple TV
You can watch the first two seasons of Severance on Apple TV. It’s available for $12.99 per month with a seven-day free trial. You can also get it via any tier of the Apple One subscription bundle. For a limited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV or Mac can enjoy three months of Apple TV for free.
In November 2019, Apple TV “became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world, and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries and series have been honored with 682 wins and 3,115 award nominations and counting,” the service said.
David Snow, an expert on Apple hardware and software, writes on a variety of technological and cultural topics for Cult of Mac. They include Apple news, technology buying guides, and features about computer setups and Apple TV shows and movies.
With 30 years of experience covering technology and other subjects, he has written and edited for numerous print and online publications, including CMP Media, TechTV.com, CNET, Wired News, Red Herring magazine, Law.com, The National Law Journal and Law Technology News magazine. Among other roles, he served as executive editor of the Law.com network of websites and editorial director, technology, for ALM Media.
Snow graduated with a B.A. from Syracuse University with majors in magazine journalism and psychology. While there, he worked as a reporter for The Daily Orange newspaper and associate editor of Equal Time magazine.
Founder of the blog At the Waterline, he can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) via @atthewaterline and on Mastodon via @dsnow.
