Apple acquires Severance
As Deadline reports, Apple has acquired the full rights to its hit Apple TV series “Severance” and will produce future seasons and content under the Apple Studios umbrella. Apple reportedly acquired the rights to “Severance” from Fifth Season in a deal worth nearly $70 million. Apple had previously licensed the popular series from Fifth Season. More than six years after the start of Apple TV Apple Studios now produces roughly half of the platform’s content in-house.
With this move, the series transitions from an external production to a purely Apple Studios production, with Fifth Season remaining involved as an executive producer. The change is similar to Apple’s previous approach of integrating the science fiction series “Silo” into Apple Studios after its first season.
Up to 20 million US dollars per Severance episode
The acquisition follows a difficult production run for the second season of Severance, which reportedly cost up to $20 million per episode. The second season was plagued by lengthy production delays due to COVID-19, Hollywood strikes, and script changes that necessitated reshoots and set demolition. Loan costs soared significantly during the extended production period, increasing financial pressure on Fifth Season as the studio awaited tax relief and cost reimbursements from New York.
According to the report, Fifth Season asked Apple for financial advances and considered moving production to Canada to receive faster and larger tax refunds. Apple executives ultimately concluded that owning the series rights would allow the company to better manage long production times and continue filming in New York, where the show is already established.
Apple is reportedly planning to establish Severance as a long-term flagship franchise. The series has already been renewed for a third season, and a fourth season is said to be a sure thing. According to Deadline, Apple is anticipating at least four seasons, with creator Dan Erickson and executive producer Ben Stiller open to expanding the franchise through prequels, spin-offs, and international adaptations.
Filming for the third season is expected to begin this summer, although the release date may be slightly delayed due to incomplete scripts. Reports indicate that six scripts are already finished, with more episodes in development. Apple and the creative team want to avoid the costly production breaks and reshoots that plagued the second season.
The second season of Severance became Apple TV’s most-watched series at the time of its release and received 27 Emmy nominations in 2025, winning eight.
