Apple has acquired the intellectual property and all rights to the series Severance from Fifth Season for approximately $70 million in December, according to Deadline. Apple Studios will now produce future seasons in-house, with Fifth Season remaining as an executive producer.
The move positions Severance among Apple’s marquee titles on Apple TV+, alongside shows such as Owen Wilson’s Stick and Kristen Wiig’s Palm Royale. Apple previously acquired the sci-fi dystopian series Silo after its first season.
Production costs for Severance had exceeded what Fifth Season could afford. The studio had requested advances from Apple and considered relocating production from New York to Canada to access larger tax rebates. Apple had assisted Fifth Season with budgeting and securing advertisers.
The second season of Severance became Apple TV+’s most-watched series. Apple’s takeover ensures production remains in New York without budget constraints. The series is expected to run for four seasons, and spin-offs from showrunner Dan Erickson and director Ben Stiller are now possible.
