Severance” Overtakes “Ted Lasso

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In simpler terms, it appears that the popular football-themed series “Ted Lasso” has been dethroned as Apple TV+’s most-watched show. Only a month after its second season premiere, Apple revealed that “Severance,” another show created by Dan Erickson, is breaking viewing records, suggesting a promising future for this workplace sci-fi drama.

As a passionate movie lover, I must admit that the overwhelming success of “Severance” came as a pleasant surprise to me, given its nearly three-year break between seasons one and two. However, Apple TV+ managed to build a great deal of anticipation for the show with promotions and ads leading up to its comeback. It seems like all their efforts have truly paid off. According to Deadline, “Severance” has been crowned as Apple TV+’s top-viewed series since the second season premiere on January 17, raking in a massive number of unique viewers. Moreover, U.S. audiences have clocked an impressive 589 million minutes collectively across all available episodes, with new episodes being released weekly until March 21.

Apart from boasting impressive television ratings, the inaugural season of “Severance” also garnered an outstanding 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Even with just a few episodes of season two released, it’s maintaining a nearly flawless score of 98%. However, there are whispers that the show’s production budget is higher than typical for television dramas, with some suggesting that season two’s cost per episode increased by close to $20 million. Nevertheless, the show’s success appears robust enough to sustain it. The first season yielded over $200 million for Apple TV+, and there’s a strong possibility that season two will match or even surpass this performance.

What Makes Severance So Popular?

At first glance, the series “Severance” surpasses many rivals due to its distinctive idea and flawless blend of genres. The story revolves around Mark Scout, portrayed by Adam Scott, a worker at the fictional Lumon Industries who undergoes a “severance” procedure that divides his work-related memories from his personal ones. Although it may seem like a typical workplace drama upon initial observation, “Severance” swiftly evolves into a science fiction and psychological thriller, complete with intriguing secrets to keep viewers eager for more episodes.

Intriguingly, Severance doesn’t just captivate with its unique elements, but also resonates deeply due to its cultural relevance. As workplaces grow more competitive and capitalism seeps into our everyday routines, the show strikes a chord with audiences by poking fun at corporate culture. The concept of dividing one’s life into two separate, non-interacting halves might appear absurd or extreme, yet it reflects practices that are prevalent in today’s work environment. Employees are often pressured to put business before personal matters, creating a situation where professional duties take precedence over their personal lives.

In season two, these criticisms are reinforced as it takes aim at the hollow pledges of work environment transformation. Rather than altering their methods significantly, employers often provide trivial incentives such as vouchers or increased break times, instead of addressing the root issues.

This set of ideas contributes to the longevity of “Severance” by ensuring its return for additional seasons on Apple TV+. Despite the series’ high production costs, its blend of thought-provoking social commentary and captivating entertainment is likely to attract enough viewership to warrant renewal.

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2025-02-20 16:02