Where Is Severance Set? Unraveling The Mystery Behind Lumon Industries

The show's creators, led by Dan Erickson and with Ben Stiller as a primary director, have crafted a world that feels both familiar and incredibly strange. It's almost as if the places themselves hold secrets, just like the characters. You might be curious, like many others, about where these captivating scenes were actually brought to life. Well, we're going to take a look at all of that, basically.

So, if you're eager to find out more about the fictional town of Kier, the mysterious Lumon company, and the actual real-world spots where "Severance" was shot, you're in the right place. We'll explore the various backdrops that make this series so visually distinct and, in a way, truly unforgettable. It's a pretty interesting mix, as a matter of fact.

Table of Contents

• The Fictional World of Severance: Kier and Lumon
  • The Town of Kier: A Company Town
  • Lumon Industries: The Heart of the Mystery
  • The Unclear Location of the Outside World
• Bringing the World to Life: Severance Filming Locations
  • Hudson Valley and New Jersey: The Main Stages
  • Iconic Spots You Might Recognize
  • The Power of Real Locations
• Season 2 and New Discoveries
• Frequently Asked Questions About Severance Settings

The Fictional World of Severance: Kier and Lumon

The story of "Severance" largely unfolds within a specific, yet somewhat vague, fictional universe. This setting is really central to the show's mood and its exploration of corporate control, you know. It's a place where work life and personal life are sharply divided, thanks to a medical procedure. The creators have done a fantastic job of making this world feel both grounded and, well, a little bit unsettling, which is that whole point.

The Town of Kier: A Company Town

At the center of the show's fictional setting is a town simply called Kier. This town, as a matter of fact, is named after Kier Eagan, who founded Lumon Industries. It's not just any town, though. Lumon, the mysterious company at the show's core, heavily supports this place. Many of the town's landmarks, you see, are connected to the company, which kind of makes you wonder about its influence. This deep connection between the town and the company is, you know, a key part of the series' themes about hypercapitalism and corporate reach.

While the series tells us the town is Kier, PE, its exact spot on a map is kept unclear. This adds to the show's overall sense of mystery, making you question just how isolated and controlled this world really is. The town itself, as depicted, has a somewhat eerie and creepy feel, which definitely fits with the dark secrets Lumon holds. It's like, the whole atmosphere just contributes to the unsettling vibe, right?

Lumon Industries: The Heart of the Mystery

Much of "Severance" primarily takes place within the corporate offices of Lumon Industries. This fictional biotechnology company, basically, is where the "severance" procedure happens, splitting employees' memories. The office floors, especially the "severed floor," are designed to feel very distinct and almost like a maze. It's a place of strange rules and even stranger departments, like the goat department, which Mark and Helly discover, as a matter of fact. The design of these offices, with their long, stark hallways, really helps create that feeling of being trapped and disconnected, you know.

The company itself, Lumon, is shrouded in a lot of dark secrets. Its presence is felt everywhere, not just in the offices but also in the town of Kier. This company, essentially, controls so much, and that's a big part of the show's tension. The specific location of Lumon's main offices, like the town, remains pretty much a secret within the show's story, adding to its mysterious appeal. It's a very, very powerful presence, you see.

The Unclear Location of the Outside World

One of the biggest questions fans have, and something we hope "Severance"'s second season will explore more, is where the "outside world" actually takes place. Is it even in our real world? The show is set in the present day, using visual cues that explore ideas of advanced technology and hypercapitalism. However, the fictional nature of the "Severance" world makes it impossible to say for sure where the story truly happens, outside of Lumon and Kier. This ambiguity, in a way, makes the show even more intriguing, doesn't it?

The series really plays with this idea of an unknown, potentially disconnected reality. You know, it makes you think about how much we really know about the characters' lives beyond the Lumon walls. This lack of a clear, definable outside setting adds to the psychological depth of the series, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. It's a clever trick, actually, to keep us guessing.

Bringing the World to Life: Severance Filming Locations

While the fictional setting of "Severance" is kept vague, the actual places where the show was filmed are quite real and, you know, pretty interesting. The creators made a conscious choice to use real locations more often than fabricated sets. This helps to add a strong sense of realism to the Apple TV+ show, even with its science fiction elements. The stunning visuals and intricate set designs are a standout feature, and much of that comes from using actual spots, basically.

Hudson Valley and New Jersey: The Main Stages

"Severance" was filmed mainly across two key regions: the Hudson Valley in New York and various spots in New Jersey. These areas provided a rich mix of historic and modern backdrops that suited the show's unique aesthetic. The contrast between older, more traditional buildings and sleek, contemporary structures helped create the distinct visual style we see on screen. It's like, they really found places that had that specific vibe, right?

Specifically, the series was shot primarily between the Hudson Valley, NY, and New Jersey. This allowed the production team to capture a wide range of environments, from the eerie corporate feel of Lumon to the more mundane, yet still subtly unsettling, outside world. The choice of these regions, you know, really contributed to the show's overall look, which is unlike almost any other series on television, as a matter of fact.

Iconic Spots You Might Recognize

Several specific real-world locations were used to bring the world of "Severance" to life. The Lumon Industries headquarters, for example, is actually Bell Works in New Jersey. This building, with its distinctive architecture, perfectly captures the corporate, somewhat sterile atmosphere of Lumon. It's a pretty cool transformation, actually, from a real building to this fictional company's home.

Other notable filming locations for "Severance" season 1 and season 2 include spots like Pip's Bar & Griller and Woe's Hollow. These places help to ground the show in a recognizable reality, even as the plot veers into the fantastical. The series also references places like Allentown and Cold Harbor, further blending the fictional narrative with touches of real-world geography. You can learn more about the specific history of some of these locations, for instance, by looking up Bell Labs Holmdel Complex, which is where Bell Works is located.

The eerie office floor itself, where much of the "severed" action happens, was also brought to life through a combination of real locations and careful set design. York Studios, among other places, played a part in creating these intricate and memorable interior spaces. The show's creators, you know, really put a lot of thought into how each location would contribute to the overall feeling of the series. It's a very, very thoughtful approach, basically.

The Power of Real Locations

The decision to use real locations far more often than purpose-built sets was a deliberate one. This choice helped to add a deep sense of realism to the Apple TV+ show. It's like, when you see actual buildings and landscapes, even if they're given a fictional context, it just feels more authentic. This approach, you know, enhances the breathtaking cinematography and unique set design that are hallmarks of "Severance." It really helps to sell the premise, as a matter of fact.

The use of historic and modern structures from the Hudson Valley and New Jersey also contributes to the show's distinctive look. It creates a visual tension that mirrors the show's themes of past and present, memory and forgetfulness. This blend of real places with a fictional narrative makes the world of "Severance" feel incredibly tangible, even when its concepts are so abstract. It's a pretty smart way to do things, in a way.

Season 2 and New Discoveries

As "Severance" continues, especially with its second season, new locations have been introduced. This means more opportunities to explore the expanded world of the series, both inside and outside Lumon. The show's ongoing story, you know, keeps revealing more about its setting and the wider implications of the severance procedure. It's really exciting to see what new visual treats they'll bring us, as a matter of fact.

The second season has already shown us entirely new places, adding layers to the existing mystery. Fans are always eager to discover where the Apple TV+ hit was filmed next, and what these new environments might reveal about the characters and the company. The show's visual storytelling is a huge part of its appeal, and these fresh locations certainly keep things interesting. It's almost like a character in itself, the setting, right?

Frequently Asked Questions About Severance Settings

Many people have questions about where "Severance" takes place, given its intriguing and often ambiguous setting. Here are some common inquiries, you know, that fans often ask.

Is Kier a real place?
No, Kier is a fictional town. It's named after Kier Eagan, the founder of Lumon Industries, within the show's story. The town is heavily subsidized by the mysterious Lumon company, and many of its landmarks are connected to it, which is that whole point. So, while it feels very real on screen, you won't find it on a map, basically.

Where are the Lumon Industries offices really located?
The Lumon Industries headquarters, as seen in "Severance," is primarily filmed at Bell Works in New Jersey. This striking building provides the exterior and some interior shots for the corporate offices. Other parts of the eerie office floor were created using various studios, like York Studios, you know, to get that specific look and feel.

Is "Severance" set in the present day?
Yes, "Severance" is set in the present day. The show uses visual cues to explore themes of advanced technology and hypercapitalism that are very relevant to our current world. While the exact geographical location of the fictional world is unclear, the time period is contemporary, allowing the series to reflect on modern societal issues, as a matter of fact. It's pretty much a reflection of our times, in a way.

Discover more about the intriguing world of "Severance" on our site, and learn more about the making of this captivating series.