Severance Season 3: All information about the start, cast and filming Apfelpatient

The second season of Severance ended earlier this year with a cliffhanger that left many questions unanswered. The dark sci-fi series on Apple TV has quickly become the platform's flagship and amassed a huge fan base. After the release of the second season was delayed for years, it's now official: A third season is in the works. Preparations are underway, even though the premiere still seems a long way off.

Severance is currently Apple TV's most successful show, even more popular than Ted Lasso. The series impresses with an unusual concept, strong visuals, and a psychologically profound plot. It's hardly surprising, then, that it's continuing. Nevertheless, there have been some changes behind the scenes that have left their mark on the production. A new writer, a change of director, and a long wait are looming. The current status of the third season offers a first glimpse of what's to come.

Season 3 officially confirmed

Apple officially confirmed the third season directly following the second season finale. The renewal came as no surprise, as interest in the series has remained high. Interestingly, the team behind the series had already begun work on new episodes before the official approval. This shows that the creators are planning for the long term and are apparently confident they have enough material for further seasons.

Work on the third season is underway – with a new author

The writers are currently actively working on the third season. In February, producer Ben Stiller revealed in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter that a team of writers in Los Angeles is working on the new episodes. However, there had previously been internal tensions: conflicts apparently arose between series creator Dan Erickson and co-writer Mark Friedman during the first two seasons.

Therefore, the team was reorganized. Ben Stiller brought Beau Willimon on board – known as the creator of House of Cards and most recently on the series Andor on Disney+. Willimon was hired before the Writers Guild of America strike and received a well-paid contract for season 3. During his work, however, it became clear that the second season also needed additional support. The cost per episode had risen to approximately $20 million. Willimon therefore initially helped to complete the second half of the second season and simultaneously develop the structure for season 3. In the next season, his influence is expected to be felt more strongly than before.

Ben Stiller gives up directing

Although Ben Stiller remains a key creative force on the series, he will no longer direct any episodes in Season 3. He confirmed this in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. The reason is another film project that is taking up too much of his time. In the first two seasons, Stiller directed a total of eleven episodes—more than half the series. His departure as director could change the character of the series, even though he will continue to serve as a producer.

Filming scheduled to start in spring 2026

According to actress Patricia Arquette, production on the third season is scheduled to begin in spring 2026. By comparison, filming for the second season began in October 2022 and aired in January 2025. The main reason for this delay was the prolonged strikes in Hollywood, which halted almost all major productions. At that time, seven out of ten episodes had already been filmed before everything had to be paused.

When will the third season be released on Apple TV?

Anyone who has followed the series from the beginning will be familiar with the long breaks between seasons. There were roughly three years between seasons 1 and 2. While Ben Stiller hopes the wait will be shorter this time, a 2026 release seems unlikely given the planned start of filming in the spring. A realistic release date is between mid- and late 2027. Filming is expected to take several months, followed by post-production, which is estimated to take six to nine months. Should there be further delays, the release date could be pushed back even further.

Severance Season 3 is coming – but not so soon

The third season of Severance is confirmed and in development, but the road to broadcast is long. With a new writing team led by Beau Willimon, Ben Stiller's departure as director, and a planned start date of filming not until 2026, it's clear that the next season will be a long time coming. Nevertheless, the series remains a key title in Apple TV's lineup—and is likely to cause a stir again when it returns in 2027. The best products for you: Our Amazon Storefront offers a wide selection of accessories, including those for HomeKit. (Image: Apple)