Entertainment
Ben Stiller Confirms Major Progress on Apple TV’s Most-Watched Sci-Fi Series
Apple TV+’s acclaimed sci-fi thriller, Severance, has finally taken a major step forward. The producer and former director of the show, Ben Stiller, has confirmed that Severance Season 3 is now actively in development and, in his words, will be arriving “soon-ish.” During a recent appearance on The Tonight Show, Stiller was asked about the upcoming season of Severance, and his reply was crisp and clear:
“It’s coming. There will be another season. It will be soon-ish.”
He acknowledged the pressure from fans, and even jokingly said that Young Sheldon has filmed hundreds of episodes while Severance has produced only 19 in the same five-and-a-half-year period. This is because Severance is not the kind of show that lends itself to a quick release schedule. While his response was not definitive, it is the first clear update fans have had in months after the Severance Season 2 finale aired on March 21, 2025. Considering the lengthy three-year gap between the first two seasons due to the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, the creative team has already taken steps to avoid another prolonged pause.
Stiller, however, won’t be directing any episodes this time. He confirmed that he’s stepping away from the director’s chair to focus on other commitments, though he will be deeply involved as an executive producer on the show. He has also spent the last eight months deep in Season 3’s development. As he puts it, the upcoming season could be the show’s strongest yet, thanks to a new set of directors who are on board for the next season.
Patricia Arquette Reacts to Ben Stiller’s Exit as Director
After Stiller’s decision to not direct any more episodes of Severance, another key member from the show is now weighing in, and she is not thrilled. Patricia Arquette, who plays the steely Harmony Cobel, revealed that she’s not happy about Stiller stepping away from directing Season 3. In an interview with ScreenRant, while promoting Murdaugh: Death in the Family, Arquette joked that she plans to “get him back” for leaving the director’s chair and said:
“Well, I am not thrilled with that, I’m going to say. I’m not happy about it…I don’t appreciate this. I’m not down. Booooo Stiller! I’m going to get him back for Season 3.”
Stiller directed six episodes of Season 1, including both the premiere and finale, and returned to helm five more in Season 2. This time, however, he’s pulled out due to an increasingly packed schedule that includes a World War II film, the next installment of Meet the Parents, and an HBO project titled The Band.
Severance Season 1 and Season 2 are available to stream on Apple TV+. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
