‘Laid’ Canceled: Peacock Ends Show After One Season

While the highly anticipated second season of “Severance” debuted and quickly became the most talked-about series on television, Adam Scott was immersed in the lush landscapes of the Irish countryside, where he was filming an independent horror film. Upon returning to the United States, he found the cultural landscape had shifted dramatically in his absence, with the show’s popularity surging to unprecedented levels.

“It’s certainly a different experience walking down the street now,” reflects Scott, who portrays the dual-minded Mark Scout in the Apple TV+ series. “Every ten steps, someone stops to talk about the show. People are shouting my name from their cars, and I even found a cookie with my face on it while browsing in a bakery.” The overwhelming recognition highlights the show’s impact on pop culture.

We are seated on the patio of an Italian restaurant, sipping on double espressos alongside Ben Stiller, as the warm late-afternoon sun bakes the asphalt along Tenth Avenue. I can’t help but notice how passersby nearly break their necks trying to catch a glimpse of the two stars, a testament to the series’ cultural significance and their newfound celebrity status.

Scott notes, “The level of recognition I’ve experienced over the years has been a gradual rise, so I’ve grown accustomed to being approached by fans.” He first captured audiences’ attention as Amy Poehler’s romantic interest on “Parks and Recreation,” led the cult-hit series “Party Down,” and delivered memorable performances in “Big Little Lies” and “Step Brothers.” As he shifts his posture, draping one leg over the other, he acknowledges, “But this level of fame feels entirely new and exhilarating.”

A month after the jaw-dropping finale of Season 2, both the star and the visionary director of “Severance” convene for what appears to be one of the concluding stops on their extensive six-month international press tour. This engagement increasingly resembles a victory lap, celebrating the series’ monumental success. When I initially interviewed them back in December before the premiere, Scott and Stiller were focused on encouraging viewers who enjoyed Season 1 to return for the highly anticipated Season 2. Now, the show has surpassed their wildest expectations: what began as a niche science fiction hit with critical acclaim has evolved into a cultural phenomenon. Terms like “innie” and “outie” have infiltrated workplace jargon, and the show’s characters have taken over landmarks like Grand Central Station and captured social media attention for days. Additionally, its theme song resonated with an audience of around 50,000 at Coachella.

“For me, the highlight was when the organist at Madison Square Garden played it during Knicks games,” Stiller shares enthusiastically. “It felt surreal, like I had died and gone to heaven.” His excitement reflects the profound connection the series has created with its audience.

Stiller first encountered the pilot script for “Severance” nearly a decade ago. Crafted by the talented Hollywood outsider Dan Erickson, the script follows the grief-stricken Mark Scout, who undergoes a radical procedure that fully “severs” his personal life from his professional existence, resulting in two distinct consciousnesses separated by an office elevator. As Mark and his colleagues at Lumon Industries begin to unveil the cracks in the biotech company’s carefully constructed façade, unsettling truths come to light. “It reminded me of many elements I loved in workplace comedies,” Stiller reflects, “but there was also this strange, eerie quality that set it apart.”

The originality of the concept captivated Stiller, compelling him to bring Lumon’s world to life. Both he and Erickson independently considered Scott for the lead role, leading to a pivotal phone call in 2017. It was just days after Donald Trump’s first presidential inauguration, and Scott was at the Sundance Film Festival, surrounded by snow, when he received the call from Stiller.

“Ben gave me the quick overview — for lack of a better term, the elevator pitch,” Scott recalls. “I found it impossible to shake off. I couldn’t stop thinking about it for a year and a half until I finally read the script.” This initial intrigue set the stage for his journey into the character of Mark Scout.

The challenge of pitching the show proved to be quite taxing. “Nobody wanted it except Apple, which at the time was just emerging as a streaming platform,” Stiller explains. “It felt a bit like, ‘Oh great, the computer company!’ It didn’t even seem real.” Now, however, Stiller confidently asserts that Apple is “the best place” for “Severance,” not merely because of its status as a major global tech company but also due to the show’s unique narrative. “I’m so grateful we didn’t end up on, like, Showtime or something,” he adds.

Despite having no prior television experience, Erickson possessed a robust vision for the series. Stiller, on the other hand, played a significant role in shaping its visual aesthetic, backed by an extensive guide filled with architecture and film references. While Lumon was originally envisioned as a “mundane ’90s office building,” Stiller infused it with a cold, retro-futuristic vibe reminiscent of the 1980s.

As the cast members signed on, the characters began to evolve as well. In the initial scripts, Mark’s innie exhibited a charmingly sarcastic demeanor while navigating his work environment. However, as Scott immersed himself in the role, he recognized the necessity of portraying the character as a “true believer” in the company’s ethos.

“Initially, there was a hint of cynicism within Innie Mark about Lumon,” Scott explains. “A shift we decided upon was to present him more as a company man at the start, allowing Helly to introduce the cynicism that would gradually seep in,” referring to Mark’s romantic interest, played by Britt Lower.

Early in Season 1, Stiller even considered stepping in front of the camera himself, contemplating a role as a sort of doctor, but this character was ultimately discarded (and should not be confused with the roles performed by Robby Benson and Sandra Bernhard in Season 2). “We discussed the storyline and were excited about it, but it just didn’t feel right,” Stiller admits. “I’m thankful I’m not in it. I’m very happy not to have my face on the billboard.”

The writers’ room for Season 3 of “Severance” is currently active in Los Angeles, with Stiller making regular trips to the West Coast every ten days or so, while Scott frequently drops by. Both serve as executive producers on the series. Despite their deep involvement in “Severance,” neither seems to have a clear way to articulate the show’s essence or direction.

“People genuinely seem curious about the creative process,” Stiller observes. “It’s challenging to articulate that stuff.” His attempt to navigate the intricate dynamics of the show’s creation reflects the complexities of television production.

During the filming of Season 1, Scott utilized a poster board to illustrate two distinct timelines for Mark’s innie and outie — “because I heard that’s what Michael Keaton did in ‘Multiplicity’” — and maintained two sets of scripts with different annotations for each side of his character. “In Season 2, it was just one massive collection of notes,” he shares, highlighting the evolution of his approach.

“Everyone has their own method of keeping track of things,” Stiller adds, noting that Erickson has created detailed character biographies and histories. “We all live with the show so much; it’s in us, too,” he emphasizes the deep connection the cast and crew have developed with the narrative.

A frequently discussed topic surrounding “Severance” is the three-year gap between seasons, with the creators attributing the delay primarily to the Hollywood labor strikes. However, reports from April 2023 pointed to “scrapped scripts,” “showrunners not communicating,” and a “toxic atmosphere” behind the scenes as contributing factors.

“Things that happen behind the scenes should stay behind the scenes,” Stiller asserts. “I don’t want to disclose the inner workings of what goes on because, frankly, it’s personal.” His commitment to privacy underscores the delicate nature of the creative process in Hollywood.

“Everyone involved in the show gets along well. There’s never been any weirdness among the cast or crew,” he assures. However, he acknowledges, “I don’t think there’s ever been a creative process that hasn’t experienced some conflict, and that’s vital since it prompts you to question and ensure the decisions you’re making will hold up in the long run.”

An hour into our conversation, I turn to a page in my notebook labeled “Questions They Probably Won’t Answer.” I rapidly pose questions at Stiller.

How many episodes have been written for Season 3? (Long pause.) “I don’t want to discuss where we are in our process.” How many seasons will you produce in total? (Small grin.) “No comment.” Will John Turturro return? (Big grin.) “No comment.”

Do you envision “Severance” as a franchise with potential spin-off shows? Stiller replies slowly: “There are two specific ideas — which I won’t disclose — that we’ve discussed internally as possible spin-off concepts.” When asked about the development stage of these ideas or whether they have been pitched to Apple, Stiller simply responds, with a knowing smile, “They’re nascent.”

Regarding other potential extensions of the series, Stiller expresses, “It would be fantastic to create a ‘Severance’ video game.” Scott concurs, stating, “I believe it lends itself to that.” Additionally, they hope to produce merchandise such as Lumon-themed keyboards, provided it feels “bespoke and special to the show,” demonstrating their commitment to maintaining the integrity of the brand.

Both Stiller and Scott have crafted illustrious careers in the entertainment industry, anchoring beloved films and television series that have resonated with audiences and stood the test of time. Therefore, my final question is a significant one: Is “Severance” the defining project of your careers?

“From the moment I read the script, I knew this was what I had been working towards all along,” Scott reflects. “For 25 years, I had been trudging through the sludge to reach a point where I could perhaps land a role like this. It feels like a culmination of my journey.” His sentiment captures the sense of achievement that comes with a role of such depth and complexity.

Stiller agrees: “To have this experience at this stage of my career — after being in the industry for so long — I never want to take it for granted.” His acknowledgment of the significance of this project underlines the dedication and passion both have for their craft.

As our conversation stretches beyond the allotted time, and the restaurant prepares for dinner service, patrons begin to trickle in, adding to the lively atmosphere.

Perhaps Stiller and Scott can make a discreet exit through the side door, wearing sunglasses, and blend into the bustling city. If they move swiftly, they might manage to walk more than ten steps without being approached about innies, outies, or characters like Gemma or Helly.

Just then, a booming voice calls out from inside the restaurant: “I’m just a nobody from the Bronx, but you two are incredible! Can I take a picture with you?” The unexpected encounter highlights the intense admiration their work has generated.

Not so fast, it seems.