However, this should have no influence on the production process: the “Fifth Season” studio is still responsible for the script, recording and post-production. The reason for the transfer of rights is mainly due to the considerable costs that the popular series now consumes: each episode of the second Severance season is said to have cost around 20 million US dollars. Additional challenges such as COVID restrictions, collective bargaining disputes in Hollywood and late tax refunds had caused the studio to experience medium-term liquidity problems. Instead of an advance, Apple Studios apparently decided to buy the rights from the executing studio. In this way, Apple bears the financial risk of delays in the production process.
Third season on schedule, fourth approved
According to insider reports, the scripts for the third season are currently being written. Six of the ten planned episodes are largely completed, but due to the complex subject matter, unexpected delays may occur. According to the current schedule, filming is scheduled to begin in the summer; However, we are waiting for the scripts to be completed. Subsequent changes to the story during filming phases would have led to additional days of filming for the second season and therefore increased costs, insiders reported. A fourth season will bring the Severance series to its end; However, everyone involved is thinking about whether and how the young franchise could be expanded with prequels and spin-offs.