'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wAARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMH/8QAIBAAAQMEAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgEDBAAFBhESEzFC0f/EABQBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAX/xAAbEQACAgMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgBxAxESwf/aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8AvmmeSoN8u8KOTosi7MAh0miVRDgvn1rYGr7D6g2w4q6Ta8U+0pSGQDla9hqE7a5//9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Apple TV's Severance premiered in 2022 and has broken numerous records to become one of the most popular sci-fi psychological thrillers in recent years. The series revolves around a biotech company, Lumon Industries, where the employees undergo a procedure in which their consciousness is split into two: a professional identity called innie, which does not remember their lives outside, and a personal identity called outie, who lives outside and does not remember their professional life.
With two superhit seasons, Severance is in the works for a season 3 right now. However, one of the primary directors of the show, Ben Stiller, won't be returning due to scheduling conflicts. From performances to narratives, there are several reasons for Severance's success, and Stiller's direction is also one of them.
His depiction of absurd humor, themes of corporate greed, and many more that he explored in his other films helped the Apple TV series find its unique direction among numerous shows of today. With his departure as a director, fans are questioning if Season 3 will be able to portray these themes further.
More on this in our story.
Severance: Ben Stiller won't be returning as director for Season 3
Variety reported in August 2025 that Stiller will not return as director in Severance Season 3 due to scheduling conflicts. He revealed that he will be working on a World War II survival movie and a Meet the Parents sequel, Focker-in-Law. Stiller has directed 11 episodes out of 19 in the two seasons of Severance. Therefore, losing him as director will have an impact on Season 3.
One of the reasons it will impact the show is that Stiller has been making films that resemble the narratives and world-building of Severance, which made the show even better. For instance, Stiller's debut film, Reality Bites, revolved around the economic recession of the US. The film has the same primary theme as the Apple TV show and highlights the corporate culture and its impact on the adults.
Another film, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, also delves into similar themes like Severance and depicts Mitty's journey of searching for a missing negative print and the photojournalist who worked on it for the final issue of the magazine he works for. Like the psychological thriller, this film also delves into the monotonous and darker side of corporate culture, and also the rebellion against it.
Like these two films, numerous other films also share similar themes and vibes with the Apple TV series, making Stiller the director who understands and has previously dealt with these themes. Therefore, his not being behind the camera might affect the show visually.
Severance: Stiller will remain one of the EPs of the Apple TV series
Over the years, we have seen how TV shows struggle after a key figure working behind the camera leaves the show. For instance, it happened with popular series The Walking Dead when Frank Darabont left after two seasons, or when Eric Kripke left Supernatural. These shows were affected when these people left.
The reason behind the departure affecting the show might be that they were also the showrunners. However, the Apple TV series has Dan Erickson as the showrunner, who hasn't left and is still part of the show. Therefore, Stiller's departure will not affect the narrative in any way.
Furthermore, in a tweet on X, Stiller also assured the panicking fans that he was still part of the process of bringing Season 3 to the screen, as he is still one of the Executive Producers of the show. He wrote:
"Itâs been full time the last 8 months working on season 3 and Iâm not going anywhere. We have incredible directors and a team that creates the show. I love directing it and look forward to at some point again for sure. I feel like season 3 is going to be the best yet as we continue to evolve."
Therefore, Stiller's absence might be visible in the upcoming Season, but it won't affect the show much, as there are several other directors who contributed to making the show great, and will continue to do so in the upcoming season.
Trending
Keep reading Soap Central for more such stories.
Reply
