"Severance" offers an exclusive glimpse into its eerie office confines, employing an unconventional marketing strategy ahead of its highly anticipated second season premiere on Friday, January 17, exclusively on Apple TV+. The star-studded ensemble, including Adam Scott, Britt Lower, Zach Cherry, Tramell Tillman, and Patricia Arquette, reprised their roles as Mark Scout, Helly Riggs, Dylan George, Seth Milchick, and Harmony Cobel, respectively, converging at the iconic Grand Central Station on Tuesday, January 14.
Videos of this intriguing setup circulated on social media, capturing the actors immersing themselves in their characters within a makeshift office space at the heart of the bustling train station. Apple TV+ further amplified the excitement by sharing a series of captivating photos across its official Instagram and TikTok accounts.
In addition to the cast's star power, the event was also supported by the series' director and executive producer, Ben Stiller, an Emmy winner himself. The 59-year-old talent snapped photos and filmed footage of the actors in their enclosed workspace, all while onlookers gazed in awe.
Fans couldn't help but commend the innovative marketing stunt. One remarked, "This is amazing marketing!" Another exclaimed, "It's insane they got the real actors to do this!" A third user praised, "Top-tier marketing! Someone is getting a promotion—no, not the Severance characters, of course!"
The workplace thriller revolves around a group of employees who have undergone "severance," a mind-bending procedure that separates their work personas, known as "innies," from their real-world selves, or "outies." Scott stars as Mark, a Lumon worker who agrees to undergo severance to cope with the tragic loss of his wife. However, following the mysterious disappearance of his best friend and former Lumon colleague, Petey, Mark teams up with newcomer Helly (Lower) and coworkers Dylan and Irving (played by John Turturro) to unravel the company's intricate web of conspiracies.
The series also boasts a talented lineup including Dichen Lachman, Jen Tullock, Michael Chernus, and Christopher Walken. The show was swiftly renewed for a second season mere days before the season 1 finale. Since then, several notable actors have been announced as new cast members, such as Gwendoline Christie, Alia Shawkat, Bob Balaban, Merritt Wever, Robby Benson, Stefano Carannante, John Noble, and Ólafur Darri Ólafsson.
Scott, 51, previously credited Stiller's prowess in casting, telling PEOPLE in April 2024, "One of Ben Stiller's superpowers is his ability to cast and find the perfect people for roles. He's exceptional at it." He added, "Our core cast is already unbelievable, but we have some fantastic new faces joining us for season two that I can't wait for everyone to see."
Created and penned by Dan Erickson, "Severance" became an overnight success among viewers and critics following its April 2022 debut. It garnered 14 nominations at the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2022, ultimately winning two awards for its main title design and musical score.
Season 2 of "Severance" premieres on January 17 on Apple TV+, with the remaining nine episodes airing every Friday until March 21.
