Severance season 2 arrived on Apple TV+ in early 2025, and despite being delayed, the second outing somehow topped its predecessor. Created by Dan Erickson and produced by Ben Stiller, the first season of Severance ended on a dramatic cliffhanger, which set up season 2. Severance gradually reveals its dystopian science fiction world, in which the cult-like Lumon Corporation uses a technology called Severance to separate an employee's memories and personalities into two: an innie for the workplace, and an outie for the outside world, with both having no access to the other's experiences.

Severance was a breakout success for Apple TV+, thanks in no small part to the intriguing and mysterious premise, spawning several Severance fan theories. Severance saw the four severed innies of the Macro-Data Refinement department grow more curious and resentful of the system they are a part of. However, the story's first chapter was clearly just the beginning, as nothing was close to being resolved where the show left off, meaning anticipation for the delayed Severance season 2 remains incredibly high.

Severance Season 2 Critical Reception

Another Well-Regarded Season From Apple TV+

After years of anticipation, the second season of Severance had a lot to live up to in of quality. Fortunately, season 2 continued the show's hot streak and got amazing marks from critics. The sophomore season earned a Rotten Tomatoes score in the high 90s, and many commented on the character development put into the newest episodes (via IGN). While some pointed out its slow pacing, it's clear that Severance season 2 was meant to be a complete experience.

As The New York Times pointed out in their review, the second season invested a lot more time in the emotional development of its main characters. This adds weight to each decision, and while it may have slowed things down, it made for a more thrilling experience overall. Perhaps Vulture summed things up best when they said that Severance season 2 was worth the wait.

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Severance season 2 concluded on March 21, 2025.

Severance Season 2 Cast

The New & Returning Faces Of Season 2

The cast of Severance season 2 is mostly made up of returning faces from the first chapter of the quirky Apple TV+ hit. Adam Scott (Step Brothers) once more lead the cast as Mark, with Patricia Arquette (Medium) returning as Harmony. John Turturro (The Big Lebowski) came back as Irving, and he was ed by Christopher Walken (Dune: Part Two) reprising his role as Burt.

Eight new cast were also added for Severance season 2 (via Variety). The new Severance cast in the second season include Gwendoline Christie (The Sandman), Alia Shawkat (Arrested Development), Bob Balaban (The French Dispatch), Merrit Wever (Godless), Robby Benson (Beauty and the Beast), Stefano Carannante (Mirabilia), John Noble (The Lord of the Rings), and Ólafur Darri Ólafsson (The Tourist).

The cast of Severance season 2 includes:

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Severance Season 2 Trailer

Watch The Trailers Below

After a long and tumultuous break, Severance has returned with a trailer that teases the seasons that is set to premiere in early 2025. The brief teaser doesn't show much about the sophomore outing, but does feature the first glimpse of Gwendoline Christie's new character who ominously warns the others that they "should have left."

With a few months to go until the show's January 2025 release, Apple TV+ released a compelling teaser for Severance season 2. The trailer shows Mark running through the halls of Lumon, apparently looking for something. As the camera swoops around him, the shots are intercut with the outside world and Mark's own Severance procedure. Finally, Mark reaches his workspace to find his co-workers have been replaced, and Milchik greets him with a creepy grin.

Closer to season 2's release date, Apple TV+ revealed a full trailer for Severance which merely poses more questions than it answers. Mark and the rest of the MDR team find that they aren't in trouble, despite their rule-breaking, and instead are serving as the figureheads for a reform at Lumon. This isn't exactly what it seems, and Mark keeps digging into Gemma's death. Other aspects of Lumon are revealed, and the trailer hints that season 2 will feature an even more expansive world.

Severance Season 2 Ending & Spoilers

Some Answers & A Lot More Questions

A puzzle-box show like Severance must strike a fine balance between giving away some information, and intentionally withholding things to keep it interesting.

The ending of Severance season 2 was unsurprisingly revealing while also leaving a lot of unanswered questions. A puzzle-box show like Severance must strike a fine balance between giving away some information, and intentionally withholding things to keep it interesting. Season 2 did just that, and it sets the stage for a third season that can be both unexpected and engaging. The lives of the innies and outties have diverged considerably since the debut episode, and that gives Severance season 3 a very clear path forward.

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