Unveiling Lumon's Secrets: Where Was Severance Filmed?

08 Jul, 2025

The enigmatic world of Lumon Industries, with its stark white corridors, unsettling corporate culture, and the mind-bending concept of severance, has captivated audiences worldwide. This Apple TV+ workplace thriller, created by Dan Erickson and executive produced and primarily directed by Ben Stiller, delves deep into the psychological implications of separating one's work life from their personal life. As viewers become engrossed in Mark Scout's journey to uncover the truth about their jobs and the team discovers troubling revelations, a common question arises: where was Severance filmed, bringing this unique and unsettling vision to life?

The allure of Severance lies not just in its compelling narrative and stellar cast, including Adam Scott, Britt Lower, and Patricia Arquette, but also in its distinctive visual aesthetic. Every frame, from the sprawling, almost sterile office spaces to the quaint, seemingly normal suburban homes, contributes to the show's pervasive sense of unease and mystery. Understanding the real-world locations that double as Lumon's headquarters and the characters' lives outside its walls offers a fascinating glimpse into the meticulous craftsmanship behind this Emmy® Award-winning series. Let's embark on a journey to uncover the actual filming sites that helped forge one of the most acclaimed shows on Apple TV+.

The Enigmatic World of Severance
Behind the Vision: Dan Erickson and Ben Stiller
Where Was Severance Filmed? The Primary Locations
The Architectural Language of Severance
Why Location Matters: Enhancing the Psychological Thriller
Challenges and Triumphs of Filming Severance
The Impact of Severance's Unique Setting
Looking Ahead: Severance Season 3 and Beyond
Conclusion

The Enigmatic World of Severance

Severance is an American science fiction psychological thriller television series that has truly resonated with audiences and critics alike. It introduces us to Lumon Industries, a mysterious biotechnology corporation that employs a controversial surgical procedure called "severance." This procedure surgically divides employees' memories between their work lives (innies) and their personal lives (outies). Mark Scout (Adam Scott) leads a team at Lumon Industries, whose employees have undergone this procedure. The show masterfully explores themes of corporate control, identity, grief, and the very nature of consciousness. Its unique premise and stunning execution have garnered significant acclaim, making it one of the most talked-about series on Apple TV+. The show's critical success is evident in its two Emmy® Awards, solidifying its place as a standout in the crowded landscape of streaming television. With an explosive season two finale, fans are eagerly anticipating the return of Severance for season three, which Apple TV+ has officially renewed.

Behind the Vision: Dan Erickson and Ben Stiller

The compelling narrative and distinctive visual style of Severance are the brainchild of creator Dan Erickson and the directorial vision of Ben Stiller. Erickson, who penned the original script, conceived the unsettling premise that forms the backbone of the series. His ability to craft a story that is both deeply personal and universally resonant is a testament to his unique storytelling prowess. Ben Stiller, known for his diverse career in comedy and drama, takes on the roles of executive producer and primary director for the series. Stiller's direction is crucial in establishing the show's tone—a delicate balance of corporate satire, psychological suspense, and genuine human emotion. His meticulous attention to detail, particularly in the set design and cinematography, is instrumental in creating the sterile yet menacing atmosphere of Lumon. The collaboration between Erickson's inventive narrative and Stiller's precise direction has resulted in a show that feels both familiar in its workplace setting and utterly alien in its execution, contributing significantly to the question of where was Severance filmed and how those locations enhance its themes.

Where Was Severance Filmed? The Primary Locations

One of the most frequently asked questions by fans captivated by Severance is about its filming locations. The show's aesthetic is so integral to its storytelling that the real-world places chosen to represent Lumon Industries and the characters' external lives play almost as significant a role as the cast themselves. The production team meticulously selected sites that would amplify the show's themes of corporate anonymity, psychological division, and the uncanny valley between the mundane and the sinister. The primary filming took place in various locations across New York, particularly in the Hudson Valley region and sound stages in the New York City area. This strategic choice allowed the creators to blend architectural grandeur with suburban mundanity, creating a world that feels both expansive and claustrophobic. Let's delve into the specific sites that answered the critical question: where was Severance filmed?

New York's Hudson Valley: The Eerie Lumon Exterior

The imposing, brutalist exterior of Lumon Industries, a character in itself, is perhaps the most iconic real-world filming location. This structure is none other than the former Bell Labs Holmdel Complex, now known as Bell Works, located in Holmdel, New Jersey. While the show primarily filmed in New York, this New Jersey landmark served as the perfect visual anchor for Lumon's intimidating presence. Designed by architect Eero Saarinen and completed in 1962, the building's vast, symmetrical design and stark concrete facade perfectly encapsulate the corporate, almost dystopian feel of Lumon. Its sheer scale and isolated appearance contribute significantly to the show's unsettling atmosphere, making it instantly recognizable to viewers. The choice of Bell Works for Lumon's exterior was a stroke of genius, providing an immediate visual cue for the show's themes of technology, control, and the human condition.

The Office Interiors: Crafting Lumon's Labyrinth

While the exterior of Lumon is a real-world building, the vast, labyrinthine, and eerily sterile interiors of Lumon Industries were primarily constructed on sound stages. Specifically, much of the interior filming for Severance took place at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, New York, which was transformed into a massive production hub. The production designers meticulously crafted the iconic white corridors, the Macrodata Refinement office, and other departmental spaces to evoke a sense of disorientation and endlessness. These sets were designed with a minimalist aesthetic, emphasizing clean lines, stark lighting, and repetitive patterns, which visually reinforce the characters' monotonous existence and the psychological walls between their "innie" and "outie" selves. The deliberate lack of natural light and the oppressive sense of scale within these constructed environments are crucial to the show's psychological impact, making the interior sets just as vital as the exterior locations in answering where was Severance filmed.

Mark's Home Life: Juxtaposing the Innie and Outie Worlds

Beyond the confines of Lumon, the show also explores the "outie" lives of its characters, particularly Mark Scout. His suburban home, a stark contrast to the sterile office environment, provides a glimpse into the mundane reality that the severance procedure seeks to protect. Filming for these residential scenes primarily occurred in various suburban neighborhoods across New York. These locations were chosen to represent typical American suburbia, with their quiet streets, detached houses, and a sense of normalcy that often feels unsettlingly bland when juxtaposed with the high-stakes drama within Lumon. The contrast between Mark's minimalist, somewhat melancholic home and the starkness of his workplace highlights the show's central theme of division and the fragmented nature of identity. These seemingly ordinary locations are essential in grounding the fantastical elements of the show in a relatable, human context, making them key pieces of the puzzle when discussing where was Severance filmed.

Beyond Lumon: Other Key External Scenes

In addition to the main Lumon exterior and the soundstage interiors, Severance utilized several other external locations to flesh out its world. Scenes depicting the characters' interactions outside Lumon, such as the mysterious colleague who appears outside of work, or Mark's walks through town, were filmed in various parts of New York. For instance, some street scenes and exterior shots were captured in the towns of Kingston and Nyack, New York. These locations offer a sense of small-town charm and a slightly retro, timeless feel that complements the show's ambiguous temporal setting. The production team carefully selected these sites to maintain a consistent visual language, ensuring that even the most fleeting external shots contributed to the overall atmosphere of intrigue and subtle dread that permeates the series. Each chosen location, whether a grand architectural marvel or a quiet suburban street, was meticulously integrated into the narrative to enhance the viewer's immersion into the world of Severance.

The Architectural Language of Severance

The architectural choices in Severance are far from arbitrary; they are a crucial component of the show's storytelling. The brutalist design of the Bell Works building for Lumon's exterior speaks volumes about the company's power, coldness, and impenetrable nature. Brutalism, characterized by its massive, monolithic forms and raw concrete, often evokes a sense of authoritarianism and institutional control, perfectly aligning with Lumon's corporate philosophy. Inside, the seemingly endless white corridors and repetitive office layouts reflect a minimalist modernism that borders on the oppressive. This design language is not just aesthetically pleasing but deeply symbolic, representing the psychological maze that the "innies" navigate daily. The lack of personal touches, the uniformity, and the deliberate disorientation created by the set design all contribute to the feeling of being trapped within a system that prioritizes corporate efficiency over individual humanity. This thoughtful integration of architecture into the narrative is a hallmark of the show's artistic excellence and a key reason why discussions about where was Severance filmed are so compelling.

Why Location Matters: Enhancing the Psychological Thriller

The choice of filming locations in Severance is paramount to its success as a psychological thriller. The physical environment directly influences the characters' mental states and the audience's perception of their reality. The sterile, almost clinical perfection of Lumon's interiors creates a sense of unease, suggesting that something is fundamentally wrong beneath the polished surface. This setting amplifies the psychological torment experienced by the innies, who are confined to this artificial world with no memory of their lives outside. Conversely, the mundane suburban settings for the "outie" lives provide a stark contrast, highlighting the profound disconnect between the two selves. This visual juxtaposition enhances the show's exploration of identity and memory, making the audience question which reality is more authentic or more unsettling. The locations are not merely backdrops; they are active participants in the narrative, subtly manipulating emotions and deepening the mystery, proving that knowing where was Severance filmed is essential to appreciating its artistry.

Challenges and Triumphs of Filming Severance

Bringing a show as visually distinctive and conceptually complex as Severance to life presented its share of production challenges. One significant hurdle was transforming existing spaces, like the Mid-Hudson Civic Center, into the sprawling, futuristic yet retro-feeling Lumon interiors. This required extensive set construction and meticulous attention to detail to achieve the precise aesthetic envisioned by Dan Erickson and Ben Stiller. Maintaining consistency across various filming sites, from the iconic Bell Works exterior to the suburban streets, also demanded careful planning and coordination. The use of practical sets, rather than relying heavily on green screens, meant that the physical environments had to be perfectly crafted to convey the show's specific mood. The triumph lies in how seamlessly these disparate locations and constructed sets blend to form a cohesive, believable, and utterly unique world. The production team's dedication to creating a tangible, immersive environment for the actors and viewers alike speaks volumes about their commitment to the show's artistic integrity, making the inquiry into where was Severance filmed a testament to their efforts.

The Impact of Severance's Unique Setting

The unique setting of Severance has undeniably left a profound impact on its audience and the landscape of television. The show's ability to create a world that feels simultaneously familiar and alien is largely due to its carefully chosen and designed filming locations. Lumon Industries, with its stark, almost unsettling beauty, has become instantly recognizable, almost a character in itself. This visual identity has contributed significantly to the show's widespread acclaim and cultural relevance. The settings reinforce the central themes of corporate dehumanization and the search for identity, making the abstract concepts feel tangible and immediate. Viewers aren't just watching a story unfold; they are immersed in a meticulously crafted environment that amplifies every emotional beat and every shocking revelation. This deep connection between setting and story is a key reason why Severance has captivated audiences and why its visual elements, including where was Severance filmed, are so frequently discussed and admired.

Looking Ahead: Severance Season 3 and Beyond

With Apple TV+ having officially renewed its hit psychological thriller Severance for season 3, fans are eagerly anticipating what new mysteries and revelations await Mark, Helly, Dylan, and Irving. While specific filming locations for the upcoming season have not been widely disclosed, it is highly probable that the production will return to its established base in New York. The iconic Bell Works building will likely continue to serve as the exterior of Lumon, maintaining visual continuity. Similarly, the sound stages in the New York area will undoubtedly be re-utilized to reconstruct the chilling interiors that have become synonymous with the series. As the narrative progresses and the team discovers troubling revelations, it's possible new external locations may be introduced to reflect the expanding scope of the characters' investigations and the world beyond Lumon's immediate influence. The consistency in filming locations will be crucial to maintaining the show's distinctive atmosphere as Mark forms a shaky alliance in an all-out effort to expose Lumon, ensuring that the visual language remains as compelling as the story itself.

Conclusion

The journey to uncover where was Severance filmed reveals a meticulous and thoughtful approach to production design and location scouting. From the brutalist grandeur of the former Bell Labs building in New Jersey, serving as Lumon's intimidating exterior, to the expansive, custom-built sound stages in New York that bring its sterile interiors to life, every choice was deliberate. The suburban landscapes of New York further ground the "outie" world, creating a powerful visual dichotomy that underscores the show's central themes of identity, memory, and corporate control. The locations are not merely backdrops but integral components of the narrative, enhancing the psychological thriller elements and immersing viewers deeper into the enigmatic world of Lumon Industries. As Severance continues to captivate audiences and prepare for its highly anticipated third season, the artistry behind its visual storytelling remains a testament to its status as one of the most acclaimed shows on Apple TV+.

What are your thoughts on the filming locations of Severance? Did any particular setting stand out to you? Share your insights in the comments below, and don't forget to share this article with fellow fans! For more deep dives into your favorite shows and behind-the-scenes insights, explore other articles on our site.

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