The Apple TV+ psychological thriller Severance is a masterclass in unsettling corporate dystopia, but its world extends far beyond the sterile white hallways of Lumon Industries. As of the latest season updates, the show has dramatically expanded its fictional universe, notably introducing the mysterious, remote town of Salt's Neck, a crucial location that shatters the established geography of Kier, Pennsylvania.
This expansion has led to a flurry of fan speculation about where these new, hauntingly beautiful scenes were captured. The reality is that the fictional town of Salt's Neck—prominently featured in key episodes like "Sweet Vitriol"—was not filmed in the show's primary New York and New Jersey locations, but in a far more isolated and breathtaking region of North America, offering a stark contrast to the world of the Innie and Outie.
The Architect of Lumon's World: Creator Dan Erickson's Profile
To fully appreciate the world-building of Severance, one must look to its creator, Dan Erickson, whose vision brought the concept of "severance" to the screen. His background and profile are key to understanding the show's unique blend of corporate satire and existential dread.
- Full Name: Daniel Earling Erickson
- Date of Birth: January 26, 1984
- Role in Severance: Creator, Writer, Executive Producer, and Showrunner
- Origin: Originally from Olympia, Washington, USA
- Career Highlight: His pilot script for Severance was first written in 2016.
- Creative Style: Known for blending high-concept science fiction with mundane, relatable workplace drama, a style that defines the psychological thriller genre of the series.
- Key Collaborator: Works closely with Executive Producer and Director Ben Stiller, who directed six episodes of the first season.
Erickson's concept, born from the relatable desire to separate work life from personal life, has resonated globally, turning Severance into an Emmy-award-winning series that continually pushes the boundaries of its fictional company, Lumon Industries, and its influence on the outside world.
The Real-Life Salt's Neck: A Stunning Canadian Secret
The most pressing question for dedicated viewers of the Apple TV+ hit revolves around the scenes in Salt's Neck, the remote coastal town that provides a pivotal setting for characters seeking answers outside the confines of the severed floor. The fictional town, often implied to be near the main setting of Kier, Pennsylvania, or upstate New York, is actually a collection of incredibly scenic and isolated locations in Canada.
The scenes for Salt's Neck were primarily filmed in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. This choice of location was deliberate, offering a stark visual and atmospheric contrast to the modernist architecture of the Lumon headquarters and the suburban sprawl of the Outies' lives in the Hudson Valley.
Key Newfoundland Filming Locations
The production team utilized several distinct, rugged coastal communities to create the look of Salt's Neck, capturing the feeling of a secluded, almost forgotten locale:
- Bonavista: This historic town on the Bonavista Peninsula served as a major backdrop for the coastal scenes, lending its rugged cliffs and colorful houses to the fictional town.
- Keels: A small, traditional fishing village that provided the necessary atmosphere of isolation and quaintness for the town's interiors and streetscapes.
- Port Union: Known for its historic architecture, this area contributed to the unique, time-worn look of the buildings and infrastructure of Salt's Neck.
- Trinity Bay North and Fogo Island: Other areas in Newfoundland and Labrador, including Trinity Bay North and Fogo Island, were also utilized to complete the expansive, windswept look of the location.
The use of Newfoundland and Labrador, with its dramatic landscapes, successfully conveys the sense of being far removed from the corporate oversight of Lumon, which perfectly aligns with the narrative intent of the episodes, particularly the Season 2 installment "Sweet Vitriol". This remote setting allows for the exploration of deeper Lumon lore and the lives of those who have managed to escape or resist the severance procedure.
From Lumon to the Outies' Homes: The Primary Filming Geography
While the Salt's Neck segments offer a fresh, remote perspective, the vast majority of the show's iconic locations are centered much closer to the greater New York area. The contrast between the sleek, unsettling interiors of Lumon and the more mundane, realistic exteriors of the Outies' lives is a core element of the show's topical authority and is achieved through specific, recognizable filming spots in New Jersey and Upstate New York.
The Lumon Headquarters: Bell Works, New Jersey
The most iconic location is the exterior and atrium of the Lumon Industries building. This is not a soundstage but a real-world building with a fascinating history:
- Location: Bell Works in Holmdel, New Jersey.
- History: Bell Works is a former Bell Labs research and development facility, originally designed by architect Eero Saarinen. Its massive, modernist atrium and sprawling campus perfectly embody the show's blend of futuristic design and corporate isolation.
- Show Connection: The vast, open-plan office space and the long, unsettlingly empty hallways outside the severed floor of Macrodata Refinement (MDR) are filmed here, making it a pilgrimage site for fans of the psychological thriller.
The Outies' World: Hudson Valley, New York
The suburban and natural settings for the characters' Outie lives, particularly Mark Scout (played by Adam Scott), are primarily found in New York's Hudson Valley and Ulster County. This region provides the necessary visual contrast to the corporate environment:
- Mark Scout's House: Located in the Hudson Valley area, providing the suburban backdrop for his life outside the severed floor.
- The Iconic Diner: The Phoenicia Diner in Ulster County, NY, is a recognizable real-life spot used in the series.
- Natural Landscapes: Scenes involving the characters' outdoor activities, such as the hiking trail and park areas, were filmed at Minnewaska State Park in Ulster County, a 24,000-acre park known for its stunning natural beauty.
- Other Towns: Filming for both seasons has utilized various towns in the greater New York area, including Kingston, Beacon, Ossining, and Nyack.
By juxtaposing the sterile, labyrinthine Bell Works with the rugged, isolated beauty of Newfoundland (Salt's Neck) and the familiar, yet subtly unsettling, suburbs of the Hudson Valley, Severance achieves a rich, layered topical authority. The show uses these distinct real-world locations to solidify its themes of separation, corporate control, and the search for identity, making the geography as much a character as the Innies and Outies themselves.
Key Entities and Lore Shaping the Severance Universe
The success of Severance is built on a foundation of meticulously crafted lore and a host of mysterious entities that drive the narrative. Understanding these concepts is essential for any fan tracking the show’s filming locations and plot developments.
- Lumon Industries: The monolithic, seemingly benevolent, and deeply sinister corporation at the center of the series. Its founder is the revered Kier Eagan.
- The Severed Floor: The specific area within Lumon where the severance procedure is active, creating the separation between the Innie (work-self) and the Outie (outside-self).
- Macrodata Refinement (MDR): The department where Mark Scout, Dylan, Irving, and Helly work, tasked with "refining" mysterious numbers, a task whose purpose remains one of the show’s central mysteries.
- The Break Room: A dreaded location within Lumon where Innies are sent for "rehabilitation" and forced to endlessly repeat a written apology for their transgressions.
- The Perpetuity Wing: A museum-like area dedicated to the history and philosophy of the Eagan family, containing artifacts and animatronics, including the voice of Kier Eagan, which was humorously voiced by director Ben Stiller in one episode.
- Wellness Check: A form of psychological counseling offered to Innies, often conducted by Ms. Casey, which is part of Lumon’s control mechanism.
- Woe's Hallow: A location mentioned in the show's lore, further expanding the fictional geography outside of Kier.
- The Goat Room: Another mysterious location or entity within the Lumon complex, hinting at the corporation's deeper, more bizarre secrets.
The contrast between the fictional world of Lumon and the real-world locations like the isolated coasts of Newfoundland and the familiar landscapes of the Hudson Valley underscores the show's central theme: the inability to truly separate one's existence, no matter how advanced the technology. The search for the real-life Salt's Neck is, in essence, the audience's own attempt to bridge the gap between the fictional, terrifying world of Lumon and the tangible world we inhabit.
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