Apple has acquired ‘Severance’ (including the IP and all the rights) from production company Fifth Studio.

The series is set to run for “at least 4 seasons” and could expand with prequels, spinoffs, and foreign versions.

(https://t.co/6tRLvkEKLp) pic.twitter.com/jBZ4XPIcIY

— Pop Base (@PopBase) February 11, 2026

“Severance” first premiered on Apple TV+ in 2022 and quickly became one of the streamer’s flagship properties. The series blends surreal sci-fi with workplace satire, exploring the ethically fraught concept of surgically separating employees’ work memories from their personal lives.

Its second season, delayed by pandemic-era disruptions and other production challenges, arrived in early 2025 and went on to become Apple TV+’s most-watched series at the time, securing multiple Emmy nominations and awards across major categories.

Despite — or perhaps because of — its complexity and inventive storytelling, the show has inspired deep fan engagement and widespread critical praise. For Apple, that cultural cache makes Severance worth investing in beyond the usual licensing arrangement.

But production realities have also played a role.

Season 2 reportedly cost up to $20 million per episode, a figure that strained Fifth Season’s resources and raised questions about how future seasons could continue on similar terms. Apple’s acquisition alleviates that pressure, allowing production to remain in New York — where the show has built its aesthetic — and giving the tech company more control over budgeting and scheduling.

Season 3 Is Coming — and Season 4 Is “Locked”

While no official release date has been announced, multiple reports confirm that Season 3 is targeting a summer 2026 production start, with scripts substantially completed and rewritten behind the scenes.

Better still for fans worried about the future of the story, internal planning at Apple Studios sees a fourth season as all but guaranteed. Creators Ben Stiller and Dan Erickson have publicly hinted that the narrative arc could span several seasons, and Apple’s acquisition underpins that ambition.

According to industry sources, the collaboration between Apple and the original production team — with Fifth Season remaining attached as an executive producer — positions “Severance” for a long life on the platform. There’s even talk of potential prequels, spinoffs, and international extensions of the universe to keep audiences engaged between main seasons.

What This Means for the Franchise

Apple just spent ~$70M to fully own Severance — shifting it from licensed series to in‑house franchise.

Season 3 starts filming this summer, a fourth season is reportedly already locked, and spinoffs or prequels are on the table.

In a streaming landscape crowded with disposable… pic.twitter.com/jiWjRTgOE9

— Cosmos (@cosmos_culture) February 12, 2026

For viewers who’ve waited years between “Severance” seasons — including a nearly three-year gap between Seasons 1 and 2 — the news of Apple’s buyout brings both excitement and cautious optimism.

Fans on discussion boards have already reacted to the idea of a four-season run and broader franchise universe, with some celebrating the commitment and others wary of overexpansion.

But from a production standpoint, the acquisition makes practical sense. With full rights in hand, Apple can stabilize a series that has proven both ambitious and expensive to make. The decision also reflects a broader trend in streaming, where major platforms increasingly prefer to own premium content outright rather than license it episodically.

Industry analysts see the move as Apple doubling down on star properties that can define its service in a crowded streaming landscape — and “Severance” fits that profile. It’s smart, conversation-driven television that has sparked analysis, memes, theories, and real emotional investment from its audience.

A Longer Road Ahead For Severance and Apple 

As Apple prepares for Season 3 production in 2026, the company is also laying the groundwork for a story that stretches beyond a single continuation.

Apple hasn’t announced official release dates, cast details, or season structure yet, and it’s unlikely we’ll see new episodes until at least late 2027. But with four seasons now part of the plan and additional universe-building on the table, “Severance” appears poised to reward patient fans with a deeper dive into its unsettling, brilliant world.

The acquisition confirms one thing: Apple is betting that “Severance” isn’t just a show — it’s a franchise.

Featured image: Apple Tv+

The Most Anticipated Apple TV+ Shows And Films Coming In 2026