Apple TV’s Severance Continues 1 Huge Streaming Problem

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Apple TV+’s Severance is one of the best shows out there, but like many great series, it has a drawback. This darkly funny and thought-provoking psychological thriller debuted in 2022 and quickly became a cultural phenomenon. With Ben Stiller directing and producing, viewers might have expected a straightforward comedy, but Severance proved to be much more complex and intelligent. It’s a brilliantly crafted show with outstanding acting, and a guaranteed streaming hit.

After the success of Severance’s first season, the biggest concern was whether the show could maintain its quality. Many TV shows start strong, but it’s difficult to keep that momentum going. Fans faced a lengthy wait for answers, as season 2 didn’t premiere until 2025 – three years after the initial season in 2022.

It was definitely worth the wait for season 2 of Severance. While ratings on Rotten Tomatoes dipped a little, the show created a huge online conversation and really captured the public’s attention. The season finale left everyone on the edge of their seats, and a year later, fans are still anxiously awaiting the next installment. Unfortunately, season 3 of Severance is nowhere near being released.

Severance Is A Fantastic Show With A Release Format Problem

While ‘Severance’ is a fantastic show, the way new seasons are released is frustrating. The long delay between seasons 1 and 2 was understandable due to the 2023 strikes, and fans hoped season 3 would come much sooner. The announcement that filming for the next season would start this summer seemed promising. However, considering filming for season 2 began just eight months after the first season aired, a summer 2026 start date for season 3 means we’re likely facing another three-year wait for new episodes.

Apple TV focuses on delivering high-quality shows rather than a large number of them. They prioritize creating truly exceptional viewing experiences, and Severance is a perfect example of this approach. The show has quickly become the platform’s most prominent offering, not just within the science fiction genre, but across all of its content. This dedication to quality takes time, but it also creates pressure – Apple needs to deliver something amazing, and viewers may lose interest if they have to wait too long. This tension is evident in the show’s Rotten Tomatoes scores.

Severance Rotten Tomatoes Scores By Season
Season Critic Score Audience Score
Season 1 97% 86%
Season 2 94% 73%

I’ve been absolutely blown away by the critical acclaim for Severance, but I was really surprised to see the audience reaction to season two wasn’t as overwhelmingly positive. A lot of people seemed disappointed with how slowly the new season started, especially after waiting three years for it! It makes me worry that long breaks between seasons could hurt the show’s momentum, even though many of the best shows do have those gaps. It’s a tricky balance, for sure.

Why The Best TV Shows Are Taking So Long To Release New Episodes

©Apple TV+ / Courtesy Everett Collection

Years ago, television shows almost always came back for another season. Before streaming became popular, networks planned their schedules around this idea, and contracts with everyone involved – actors, directors, and production companies – reflected that. Once someone signed on to a show, it was generally considered their main focus for the season, and it would continue until the network decided to cancel it.

Traditional TV schedules aren’t as important anymore. Streaming services give themselves much more freedom in how and when they release shows—like Netflix releasing entire seasons at once. This flexibility also changes how actors’ contracts work. Even if an actor signs on for multiple seasons, they’re often free to take other jobs between filming. Instead of fixed schedules, everyone typically waits to see if the show will be renewed, and then filming dates are set based on everyone’s availability.

As a huge fan of quality TV, I’ve noticed a shift lately. It feels like we’re moving toward the way movies have always been made, which is understandable given how amazing TV shows look now. What this means is that we’ll likely see longer breaks between seasons of these big shows, just like with movie franchises—and honestly, probably even longer! Some seasons, like the upcoming one for Severance, can be eight hours long, and that takes time to create. If we really want those truly spectacular streaming shows, it seems like a little patience is just part of the deal.

When Will Severance Season 3 Come Out?

The biggest question now is when we can expect season 3 of Severance. Currently, filming is scheduled to start this summer, but it’s hard to say how long that will take. After filming, there’s still a lot of editing and other post-production work to be done. We usually look at how long previous seasons took to make to guess a release date, but the strikes last year make that difficult in this case. However, knowing filming is starting is a good first step.

Production on Severance season 2 began in October 2022 and concluded in April 2024, but filming was paused for eight months due to industry strikes. The actual shooting took roughly ten months, followed by nine months of post-production before the season premiered in January 2025. In total, it took about nineteen months from the start of filming to the premiere, not counting the time lost to the strikes.

As a huge Severance fan, I’m trying to figure out when we’ll finally get season 3! If they start filming this July like they’re hoping, it looks like we’re looking at February 2028 for a release – which is another three-year wait! Though, honestly, maybe filming will be smoother this time around now that they’ve dealt with all the shutdowns, so hopefully it won’t take quite as long. Apple might even be aiming for a late 2027 premiere to avoid another big gap between seasons. But let’s be real, Severance is shaping up to be just like all the other streaming shows where we have to be super patient. I guess we just need to accept that the wait will be long!

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2026-02-17 02:49