"Look forward to at some point again": Severance EP Ben Stiller addresses his creative involvement in the Apple TV thriller's third season 

Ben Stiller, who directed five key episodes in Season 2 of Severance and many more across Seasons 1 and 2, will not be directing any episodes in Season 3, per reports. His decisions stem from his packed schedule, which includes directing a WWII survival film and a Meet the Parents sequel, among others.

The director expressed how occupied he is and was willing to step away from his role in Severance. However, Stiller will be involved as an executive producer in the show. Therefore, in his words, he is "not going anywhere", despite stepping back from his directing role. He’s been working full-time over the past eight months on Season 3’s production, staying deeply involved behind the scenes. Read on to know what exactly Stiller said.

Severance EP Ben Stiller addresses his creative involvement in the Apple TV thriller's third season

By responding to his news of not directing Severance anymore, Ben Stiller responded to the post on X, saying:

"Yess! It’s been full-time the last 8 months working on season 3, and I’m not going anywhere. We have incredible directors and a team that creates the show. I love directing it and look forward to it at some point again for sure. I feel like season 3 is going to be the best yet as we continue to evolve."

This suggests that Stiller will continue to shape the show's visual and narrative tone, but this time not as a director but as an executive producer. Moreover, this shift has opened the door for other directors, even newcomers to their own flair to the series. Notably, previously acclaimed directors like Jessica Lee Gagné may step up.

How are fans reacting to Stiller not directing Severance news?

Many fans took to social platforms to express worry about losing Stiller’s signature direction. Still, they’re reassured by his continued creative involvement. One Reddit user posted the news and commented,

“He's still going to be involved with the show ... he's just not going to personally direct any episodes this season ... looks forward to doing it again in the future.”

Ben, as mentioned, is stepping away from the show due to scheduling conflicts and hopes that his fans understand the same. He also expressed how when you get old, the time starts ticking, while we are left with less.

“I’m at the point in my life where I’m like, ‘The clock is ticking,'” Stiller told the LA Times, which noted he’ll be turning 60 on November 30. “Sixty sounds old. It’s hard to get around it… Time is valuable.“

Jessica Lee Gagné was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Directing for “Chikhai Bardo” in Season 2 and has been praised for her atmospheric and unnerving style. Therefore, this makes her a strong candidate to direct Severance next. Some other directors, like Uta Briesewitz, Sam Donovan, would also return, ensuring continuity as they already directed some episodes in previous seasons.

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Other than being an executive producer in Severance season 3, Ben Stiller is involved in a documentary, Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost, which is about the lives of his parents, Jerry and Anne. Along with this, there is a WWII Survival Feature Film, a new dramatic project set in France during World War II. Focker-in-Law is up next as a revival of the long-running comedy franchise.

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