‘Severance’ Season 2 Just Set A New Record For Apple TV+

If I am a shill for anything, it’s Apple TV+, the tragically underwatched streaming service that has an incredible batting average for great shows compared to the total it produces. And these days, its flagship is Severance, now that the series has returned for season 2.

The show has now grown popular enough where it has unseated one of the original shows that put Apple TV+ on the map. According to Apple, season 1 and this half of season 2 of Severance are now the most-watched overall show on Apple TV+, blowing by three seasons of Ted Lasso already. Here’s a quote alongside that news:

“We have long admired Ben’s extraordinary gift for original and immersive storytelling, and with he and Dan at the helm, Severance has proven to be an extraordinary success and a cultural phenomenon,” said Matt Cherniss, head of programming, Apple TV+. “The series has become an obsession for audiences all over the world and we can’t wait for people to continue to experience all the masterful twists and turns as the rest of the season unfolds.”

It’s coming at a cost, however, as reportedly Severance now costs $20 million an episode in season 2 which…seems difficult to believe given where it’s filmed most of the time, and how it’s not some sprawling VFX blockbuster. But that’s the modern streaming era, I suppose.

But no doubt Apple is exceptionally happy to have a show that has already beaten its all-time records just a season and a half in. There is no firm end date or season for Severance and it stands to reason it may go at least until season 4. But it’s been stated that they do not want the show to overstay its welcome and delay answers for the audience indefinitely.

Severance has been a major driver for sign-ups for Apple TV+, an increase of 126% in the first two weeks of January 2025, compared to December of 2024. This was also in the wake of a “free weekend” that Apple gave everyone so they could sample (or binge) its programing ahead of the Severance season 2 launch.

I believe Severance is worth the price of admission for Apple TV+ for a few months by itself, but there are just a ton of good shows worth watching on the service. Shrinking, For All Mankind, Foundation, Silo, Slow Horses, Pachinko, Mythic Quest, Black Bird, Servant, Hijack, Lessons in Chemistry, Loot, the list goes on. Some are better than others but it’s an exceptional collection. Though sure, yes, start with Severance if you want the best.

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Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.