If you’ve watched the Apple TV series “Severance,” you’re aware that there’s a lot of peculiar activity occurring both inside and outside the confines of Lumon Industries. Given that the whole concept of the series revolves around individuals literally dividing their consciousness in two just to attend work, it shouldn’t come as a shock that the show can be confounding and surreal at times. Nevertheless, prior to director and executive producer Ben Stiller reviewing the script, the show featured even more unusual aspects that didn’t make it into the final edit.
In a 2022 interview, series creator and writer Dan Erickson disclosed that certain initial concepts for “Severance” were a tad too eccentric for Stiller’s liking. During the conversation, Erickson brought up a few elements that were excluded from the show, such as Mark S. (Adam Scott) making a particular discovery at Lumon. Although it may not explain why it’s perpetually winter in the series, it’s still fascinating to consider the potential paths “Severance” might have explored.
Please note that we aren’t revealing any spoilers, as much of what Erickson talks about ultimately ended up on the cutting room floor — but we’re giving you a heads-up anyway, in case this is too much information for anyone who hasn’t started the series. If you’re all caught up, it’s likely you, like us, have several pressing questions that Season 3 is expected to clarify. Let’s examine what got cut from the series.
Severance reduced the peculiarity
During a Q&A with “Severance” creator Dan Erickson for Backstory Magazine, host Jeff Goldsmith inquired about some of Stiller’s feedback regarding the script before it was approved by Apple TV. “It was primarily about grounding it,” Erickson replied. “He believed that the concept itself was bizarre enough that it didn’t require a plethora of other, you know, Terry Gilliam-like embellishments.” The Gilliam reference is fitting, considering that the “Monty Python” veteran has directed numerous unconventional films, including the 1985 dystopian classic “Brazil.”
“Severance” is already strange enough – including the Greek mythology elements that might shed light on a specific Season 2 episode – so it’s easy to presume there were no creative constraints. Yet, Erickson discloses a few distinct ideas that didn’t proceed to production. “There was a pair of disembodied legs that scampered by at one point,” Erickson mentions. “In this version, there was another level that Mark would climb to. And it was sort of in ruins, as if there had been a conflict or something.” He adds that Mark would have discovered the whole floor scorched, and that someone trapped in a cubicle would have been pleading for assistance.
Erickson acknowledges that once Stiller got involved with the script, the “Zoolander” star would start questioning why more bizarre elements were occurring, toning down some of the more extravagant scenes to create a bigger impact. “He wouldn’t allow me to have things be odd just for the sake of being odd,” Erickson shares. However, considering what we observe on the show, it’s astonishing to consider that it’s actually restraining the oddity. Presently, Season 3 of “Severance” is anticipated to commence filming in spring 2026.
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