We all know the feeling. You sit in your car, take a deep breath, and prepare to enter a world that feels entirely separate from your own. For fans of Apple TV+’s Severance, that transition isn’t just a plot point—it’s a lifestyle. Since it first premiered on February 18, 2022, the series has redefined the “work-life balance” thriller, garnering a cult following that hangs on every waffle party and O&D rivalry.
However, there is a glitch in the system. With only nineteen episodes released in four years and Season 3 still in the early stages of production, the “Outies” of the real world are getting restless. The slow-burn release schedule is a double-edged sword: it allows for the immaculate, sterile perfection that directors Ben Stiller and Aoife McArdle demand, but it leaves a gaping hole in the streaming landscape.
Now, Apple is looking to “sever” the show itself to fill that void. According to a recent report by Deadline, Apple Studios has acquired the full rights to the series and is actively discussing Severance spinoffs, prequels, and even international adaptations. As fans, we have to ask: Is expanding the world of Lumon a corporate masterstroke, or are we risking the very intimacy that made us fall in love with Mark S. in the first place?
Expanding the Board: Diversity and the “Lost-esque” Mythology
One of the greatest strengths of Severance is its tight, claustrophobic focus. We are trapped in the Macrodata Refinement (MDR) wing with Mark (Adam Scott), Dylan (Zach Cherry), Irving (John Turturro), and Helly (Britt Lower). We feel their isolation because we see the world through their limited perspective.
But as the show progressed through Season 2, it became clear that creator Dan Erickson’s vision is much larger than four people in a basement. We’ve been teased with the “Goat Room,” the strange livestock division featuring Gwendoline Christie, and a new department staffed by the likes of Bob Balaban and Alia Shawkat.
This is where the potential for Severance spinoffs becomes truly exciting from a fan’s perspective. For too long, prestige sci-fi has been a “closed-door” genre, often failing to represent the true breadth of the human experience. If Severance expands into prequels or foreign versions, Apple has a golden opportunity to push the boundaries of inclusion.
Imagine a series set in a Lumon branch in Seoul or Mexico City, exploring how different cultures navigate the trauma of severance. The world should see themselves reflected in the media they consume, and by breaking out of the sterile, “Mid-Century Modern” Americana of the current set, the franchise can finally show that the struggle for identity is a global, diverse human right.
The “Better Call Saul” Blueprint: Can Spinoffs Maintain Quality?
The fear, of course, is “franchise fatigue.” We’ve seen other hits diluted by too many side stories. However, Deadline notes that Apple is looking at the success of the Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul model. By releasing smaller-scale, character-driven offshoots, they can keep the fandom engaged without requiring the massive, three-year production cycles of the flagship series.
A prequel series focusing on the rise of the Eagan family could serve as a chilling historical drama, showing how the cult-like devotion to Kier Eagan began. Alternatively, a “limited series” focusing on the lives of “Outies” we’ve only met briefly—like the activist group Mark’s sister, Devon, interacts with—could ground the high-concept sci-fi in raw, emotional realism.
The show began with that hauntingly empathetic shot of Mark S. weeping in his car. It reminded us that behind every “innie” is a person mourning a loss they can’t even remember. As long as these new projects keep that human heart at the center, the Lumon Industries mythology has plenty of room to grow. We don’t just want more content; we want more connection. We want to see a cast that looks like our world, fighting against a system that wants to turn them into nameless cogs.
Bridging the Gap: What Comes Next for MDR?
While we wait for Season 3, the news of potential expansions should be seen as a vote of confidence from Apple. They know they have a masterpiece on their hands, and they are willing to invest in the “Severance-verse” for the long haul.
Whether it’s a deep dive into the “Department of Optics and Design” or a gritty prequel about the early days of the severance procedure in the 1990s, the possibilities are as infinite as the white hallways of the severed floor. We need stories that challenge us, that represent us, and that remind us why we fight for our “outie” lives every single day.
What do you think, Refiners? Would you prefer a prequel about the mysterious Kier Eagan, or are you hoping for a spinoff that focuses on life outside the Lumon walls? Does the idea of a “Severance Cinematic Universe” excite you, or should Apple stick to the main story?
Drop your theories in the comments below—praise Kier!
