Diving Into ‘Severance’
Photo: Apple TV+
Since its 2022 debut, Apple TV+’s critically acclaimed series, Severance has captivated fans with its gripping dystopian narrative and brilliant performances, sparking intense fan engagement and theory-building online. Yet, even for a show as highly praised as Severance, breaking through the crowded streaming landscape to attract new fans still poses a challenge. With the much-anticipated second season slated to roll out weekly episodes now through March, season 2 presents a unique opportunity to gain a second wind of traction that will draw in new viewers while satisfying returning fans. With insights from Ranker and Watchworthy, we can dive deeper into specific themes and attributes that draw audiences to Severance, as well as their broader viewing preferences—key data that could help the show’s marketing team better understand who they should target when crafting strategies to expand their audience.
What Do Fans Love About Severance?
Photo: Apple TV+
According to Ranker’s TV bingers, Severance is not only the crown jewel of Apple TV+’s growing slate of programming (it ranks #1 on our poll of The 50+ Best Apple TV+ Shows), it’s also the #1 best bet you can make when looking to watch The Best Thriller TV Shows Of The Last Few Years. Its greatest strength lies in its ability to make viewers really think long after the credits roll, as evidenced by its #2 ranking on our poll of Mind-Expanding Cerebral Dramas and #4 spot on our list of Thought-Provoking TV Shows That Stick With You After They End—trailing only the most renowned examples of the form: The Twilight Zone, Black Mirror, and the late David Lynch’s masterfully surrealist series, Twin Peaks.
The only critique fans can really throw at it? The fact that it might try a new viewer’s patience–it ranks #5 on our poll of Slow Burn TV Shows That Are Worth The Wait. But its slow pacing is easily overshadowed by its riveting narrative arc, which accounts for its #13 spot on our list of Game-Changing Plot Twists That Cap Off First Seasons Of TV Shows.
Who’s Reaching Severance Fans?
Photo: Apple TV+
As Severance ramps up real-time promos for its new ongoing season, it would greatly benefit from targeting fans of shows outside of its streaming service–ones that Severance fans are statistically most likely to enjoy. According to Ranker and Watchworthy, the following three services stream shows that present the most fruitful opportunities to grab new Severance’s viewers and, potentially, broaden the audiences for Apple TV+’s larger slate of programming.
Hulu
According to Ranker Insights, Hulu’s most appealing assets for Severance fans are Emmy-darling shows that explore common settings and themes–as Severance fans are 7x more likely to love gripping workplace dramedies like The Bear and 6x more likely to watch the newly released historical drama, Shōgun, which similarly delves into identity, loyalty, and the clash between freedom and societal constraints. They’re also 6x more likely to binge Only Murders in the Building, a show that similarly unravels intricate mysteries while exploring complex human connections.
These viewers love Severance and… The Bear, Shōgun, and Only Murders in the Building.
Netflix
Watchworthy data further reveals that Severance viewers are significantly drawn to Netflix shows, with fans showing they’re 8x more likely to love Black Mirror, 7x more likely to enjoy 3 Body Problem, and 6x more likely to appreciate Baby Reindeer. These shows all share common thematic elements with Severance, such as explorations of dystopian realities, the depth of the human psyche, and the unsettling influence of technology and institutional social orders, making them an ideal fit for Severance's introspective audience.
These viewers love Severance and… Black Mirror, 3 Body Problem, and Baby Reindeer.
Max
Our data also tells us that Severance viewers are heavily drawn to Max’s hit shows, being 8x more likely to love Succession, which shares its focus on power struggles in corporate settings, and 8x more likely to enjoy The White Lotus, which digs into similar tensions related to class and privilege disparities. They’re also 7x more likely to appreciate Veep, whose dark humor and critiques of career-ambition echo the personal costs explored in Severance.
These viewers love Severance and… Suits, Mr. Robot, Queen of the South
