Where Is Severance Filmed? Uncovering The Real Locations Behind Apple TV+'s Hit Thriller
Have you ever watched Apple TV+'s psychological thriller, Severance, and found yourself wondering where on earth they filmed such a unique and unsettling world? So many viewers, you know, are captivated by the show's stark, almost surreal setting. It's a workplace thriller that has captivated audiences, drawing them into the mysterious world of Lumon Industries, where employees have their work and personal memories surgically separated.
This show, created by Dan Erickson and executive produced and primarily directed by Ben Stiller, truly makes you think about work-life balance in a very different way. The series, starring Adam Scott, Britt Lower, and Patricia Arquette, has won two Emmy® Awards and, as a matter of fact, separated itself from the field with 27 Emmy nominations, which is quite a feat. The team discovers troubling revelations as the story unfolds, and Mark forms a shaky alliance in an all-consuming search for answers.
The visual style of Severance is a huge part of its appeal, with its incredibly clean, almost sterile office spaces and the stark contrast of the outside world. People are really curious about the real places that bring this fictional universe to life, so we're going to take a closer look at where Severance was filmed, shedding some light on the actual spots that help create its unforgettable atmosphere. It's truly interesting to see how the locations help shape the feeling of the show, in a way.
Table of Contents
- The Eerie World of Lumon Industries
- The Iconic Lumon Headquarters: Where Work Begins
- Mark's "Outie" World and the Town of Kier
- Other Notable Filming Spots
- Why the Locations Matter to Severance
- Frequently Asked Questions About Severance Filming
The Eerie World of Lumon Industries
The setting of Severance is, quite frankly, as much a character as any of the people in the show. The sterile, labyrinthine corridors of Lumon Industries feel both futuristic and strangely old-fashioned, making you feel a bit uneasy. This American science fiction psychological thriller television series, created by Dan Erickson and directed by Aoife McArdle and Ben Stiller, relies heavily on its visual environment to create its unique mood. The atmosphere is, well, very specific, and it's almost a part of the whole severance process itself.
When a mysterious colleague appears outside of work, it begins a journey to discover the truth about their jobs, and the surroundings play a big part in that discovery. The stark contrast between the "Innie" world inside Lumon and the "Outie" world outside is something the show really leans into. This contrast is, in fact, brought to life by the careful selection of filming locations, which help to tell the story without saying a word. It's a very clever way to use space, you know, to convey emotion and plot.
The Iconic Lumon Headquarters: Where Work Begins
The heart of Severance, where most of the action for the "Innies" takes place, is the Lumon Industries office. This building, with its long, winding hallways and vast, empty spaces, feels like a character all its own. People often wonder if such a place actually exists, and the truth is, it's a clever blend of real architecture and expertly crafted sets. It's a really good example of how production design can make a fictional place feel, well, very real.
- Dakota Johnson And Chris Martin
- Woman Swallowed By Quicksand
- Simone Biles Boyfriend
- Kylie Jenner Timothée Chalamet
- Keith Hunter Jesperson
Bell Labs Holmdel Complex: The Exterior
The imposing exterior of Lumon Industries is, actually, a very real place. It's the former Bell Labs Holmdel Complex in Holmdel, New Jersey. This building, designed by architect Eero Saarinen, is known for its massive, reflective glass facade and its sheer scale. It was originally a research and development facility, so its past life, in a way, lends itself perfectly to the mysterious and scientific nature of Lumon. It really captures that feeling of a powerful, somewhat secretive organization.
The Bell Labs building, with its vast, open spaces and a sort of isolated feeling, perfectly sets the tone for the show's corporate setting. When you see it on screen, it just feels right for a place where people's memories are, you know, separated. The way the light hits the glass, and the sheer size of the structure, hints at the power and reach of Lumon. It's a very striking building, and it really makes an impression.
The Office Interiors: A Masterpiece of Design
While the exterior of Lumon is a real building, the incredibly distinctive interiors of the office — like the Macrodata Refinement floor, the long hallways, and the break room — were, basically, custom-built sets. These sets were constructed on soundstages, giving the production team complete control over their look and feel. The design of these spaces is very intentional, using a lot of stark white, muted colors, and mid-century modern furniture to create that unique, almost retro-futuristic vibe. It's a very specific aesthetic, you know.
The production designer, Jeremy Hindle, and his team did an amazing job creating these spaces, making them feel both familiar and deeply unsettling. The endless corridors, for instance, really emphasize the feeling of being trapped and disoriented, which is a core theme of the show. It's almost like the building itself is a character, playing a part in the psychological aspects of the story. The way the light, or lack thereof, plays in these spaces, too, really adds to the atmosphere.
Every detail inside Lumon, from the circular conference room to the strange, empty offices, was carefully thought out. This attention to detail helps to immerse viewers in the "Innie" world, making it feel very real despite its unusual nature. It's a really good example of how set design can, in fact, contribute so much to the storytelling. The team discovers troubling revelations, and the environment certainly helps to make those discoveries feel even more impactful.
Mark's "Outie" World and the Town of Kier
Beyond the walls of Lumon, we see Mark Scout's "Outie" life, which offers a stark contrast to his work environment. His home and the town of Kier, where he lives, feel much more grounded and relatable, though still with an underlying sense of sadness. This part of the show, in a way, really highlights the difference between the two lives the severed employees lead. It's a very important visual distinction for the audience.
Suburban Settings and Cozy Homes
Mark's house and the suburban streets he travels were filmed in various locations around New York, particularly in the state's northern parts. These residential areas provide a sense of normalcy and quiet, which is a stark departure from the sterile, almost alien environment of Lumon. The contrast is, well, pretty dramatic, and it helps us understand Mark's longing for connection outside of work.
The choice of these more ordinary settings helps to ground the fantastical elements of the show in something familiar. It makes the "Outie" world feel, you know, like a place you could actually live, even with the strange circumstances surrounding it. The snow-covered landscapes and the quiet streets really add to the feeling of isolation Mark experiences in his personal life. It's a very effective use of natural settings to convey mood.
The Town of Kingston, New York: A Stand-In for Kier
The fictional town of Kier, named after Lumon's founder, is brought to life by filming in Kingston, New York. This historic city in the Hudson Valley provides the quaint, somewhat melancholic backdrop for Mark's life outside of work. Kingston offers a mix of historic architecture and a small-town feel, which fits the show's aesthetic perfectly. It's a place that feels, in some respects, a little stuck in time, which adds to the show's overall atmosphere.
Specific spots in Kingston, like its downtown areas and residential streets, were used to create the look of Kier. The production team used these real-world locations to give the "Outie" world a sense of place and history, even as the characters grapple with a very modern and unsettling technology. It's quite interesting how a real town can be transformed into a fictional one, just by the way it's filmed and presented. You can really get a sense of the community, even if it's a strange one.
Other Notable Filming Spots
Beyond the main Lumon building and Mark's neighborhood, Severance utilized other areas to fill out its world. For instance, some scenes involving driving or more open spaces might have been filmed on various roads and landscapes across New Jersey and New York. The show's visual consistency, you know, is really quite impressive, even across different types of locations.
The precise details for every single location are not always publicly shared, but the overall feeling created by the chosen environments is clear. Every location, whether a grand building or a quiet street, plays a part in building the show's unique atmosphere and supporting its themes. The show's creators, Dan Erickson and Ben Stiller, clearly put a lot of thought into how the surroundings would impact the viewer. It's all part of the overall storytelling, basically.
Why the Locations Matter to Severance
The filming locations of Severance are not just pretty backdrops; they are absolutely essential to the show's storytelling and its powerful impact. The stark, almost alien feel of the Lumon office contrasts sharply with the slightly mundane, yet deeply human, "Outie" world. This visual distinction helps to emphasize the core conflict of the series: the separation of self and the search for identity. It's a very clever way to use the environment to tell the story, you know.
The choice of the Bell Labs building, for example, gives Lumon a sense of imposing, almost institutional authority, while the suburban homes and the town of Kingston root the "Outie" lives in a relatable reality. This careful selection of locations helps to create a deeply immersive experience for the viewer, drawing them into the show's mysteries and emotional depth. After an explosive season two finale, Severance will be returning for season three, and viewers will surely be looking forward to seeing more of these carefully crafted environments. Learn more about Severance on our site, and check out this page for more details about the show's cast.
The way the production team uses these real and constructed spaces helps to build the unsettling mood that Severance is known for. It's not just about what happens to the characters, but also about the feeling of being in those spaces. The long, repetitive hallways, for instance, almost make you feel the monotony and confinement of the "Innie" experience. It's a really smart way to enhance the narrative, very much so.
The show's success, which has seen it become the biggest hit Apple TV+ has ever had—even surpassing Ted Lasso in popularity—is due in no small part to its compelling visuals. The settings are, truly, a key ingredient in making Severance the captivating psychological thriller it is. So, next time you watch the thriller Severance, winner of two Emmy® awards, starring Adam Scott, Britt Lower, and Patricia Arquette, take a moment to appreciate the incredible work that went into creating its unique visual world. It's a pretty remarkable achievement in television production, actually.
Frequently Asked Questions About Severance Filming
Q: Is the Lumon building a real place?
A: The exterior of the Lumon Industries building is, in fact, a real place: the former Bell Labs Holmdel Complex in Holmdel, New Jersey. However, the distinct and sprawling interiors of the Lumon office, including the Macrodata Refinement floor and the endless hallways, were custom-built sets on a soundstage. It's a combination of both, you know, to get that unique look.
Q: Where is Mark's house filmed in Severance?
A: Mark Scout's "Outie" home and the suburban areas he inhabits were filmed in various locations across New York State, particularly in its northern regions. These settings provide a stark contrast to the sterile environment of Lumon. The show uses these real residential areas to give a sense of normalcy to his life outside of work, which is quite important to the story.
Q: What town is Kier based on in Severance?
A: The fictional town of Kier, where many of the "Outies" live, is brought to life through filming in Kingston, New York. This historic city in the Hudson Valley offers the quaint, slightly melancholic backdrop that fits the show's atmosphere for the characters' lives outside of Lumon. It really helps to create that small-town feel, doesn't it?
- Caitlin Clark Partner
- Mariah Carey Kids
- Aiden Caohman Vieques Kennedy
- Dakota Johnson And Chris Martin
- Nick Sirianni Wife
Severance Season 2 on Apple TV: All the Details You Need
Severance: Season 1 (Apple TV+ Original Series Soundtrack)” álbum de
Severance (TV Series 2022– ) - IMDb
