Apple TV+'s thriller returns with more sci-fi creepiness, nuanced social commentary and black humor. And perks like fruit leather.

It's not often that overwhelming success leads to delays, but that was at least partially the case when it came to "Severance" Season 2. Delays caused by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes certainly contributed to the Apple TV+ award-winning drama's almost three year gap between seasons.

Directed mostly by Ben Stiller, the provocative sci-fi series about a mysterious biotech company returns on Apple TV+, starring Adam Scott, John Turturro, Christopher Walken and Patricia Arquette.

Nearly three years after one of the most aggressive cliffhangers in recent memory, the mysterious Apple series is about to flip the switch again and finally answer the fates of the core characters.

Fortunately, “Severance” returns to Apple TV+ on Friday, and its makers seem to have used every second of the absence productively. The season takes new turns while remaining the most ambitious, batty and all-out pleasurable show on TV, an M.C. Escher maze whose plot convolutions never get in the way of its voice, heart and sense of humor.

The second season of Severance debuts Jan. 17 on Apple TV+. Season 2 of Severance will contain 10 episodes. This is one more than Season 1’s count of nine.

Severance was a major dark horse breakout hit for Apple TV+ – that is it was back in 2022 when the series first premiered. Behind-the-scenes circumstances like major Hollywood strikes caused major setbacks to production on Severance Season 2,

The acclaimed Apple TV+ series is making its long-awaited return. A second season was filmed over three years.

Season 1 ended three years ago on a cliffhanger, with the innies staging a rebellion and discovering disturbing truths about their outies. Season 2 picks up in the aftermath. The innies are still at Lumon.

The Apple TV+ workplace drama deepens the lore, explores the Innie-Outie conundrum, and fully establishes itself as the series to beat right now.