Apple Secures Full Rights to ‘Severance,’ Plans In-House Production for Future Seasons
In a strategic move to bolster its original content portfolio, Apple has acquired the intellectual property and all rights to its acclaimed series Severance from the original production company, Fifth Season. The deal, valued at just under $70 million, positions Apple to produce future seasons internally through its in-house studio, while Fifth Season will continue to contribute as an executive producer.
This acquisition mirrors a previous arrangement where Apple took over production responsibilities for the sci-fi series Silo from AMC Studios after its inaugural season. By bringing Severance under its direct control, Apple aims to solidify the show’s status as a flagship title alongside other popular series like Your Friends and Neighbors and Stick.
The decision to acquire full rights was influenced by escalating production costs that exceeded Fifth Season’s financial capacity. The studio had sought advances from Apple and contemplated relocating production from New York to Canada to benefit from more substantial and expedited tax incentives. Given Apple’s robust financial resources, the company opted to assume complete control over the series’ production.
Severance holds significant value for Apple TV+, with its second season becoming the platform’s most-watched series at the time and garnering the highest number of nominations at the 2025 Emmy Awards. Reports suggest that the series is projected to span four seasons, with potential for spin-offs, prequels, and international adaptations.
This move underscores Apple’s commitment to enhancing its streaming service by investing in and retaining control over high-quality, original content that resonates with audiences worldwide.
