The Eerie Truth: Where Is Severance Set? Unmasking The Fictional Town Of Kier And Its Real-Life Locations

The Apple TV+ hit series Severance has captivated audiences with its chilling, sterile, and deeply unsettling world, leaving many to wonder about the geography of its dystopian setting. As of the current date, December 10, 2025, the mystery surrounding the fictional town of Kier and the imposing headquarters of Lumon Industries is one of the show's most compelling elements. While the story takes place in the fictional, company-subsidized town of Kier, the real-world locations used for filming are a fascinating blend of modernist architecture and rustic, melancholic Upstate New York landscapes.

The show’s creators masterfully use these distinct locations to establish the stark contrast between the "Innie" world inside Lumon and the "Outie" world outside, creating a pervasive atmosphere of corporate control and suburban malaise. The actual shooting sites span across two key U.S. states, blending seamlessly to create the show's unique and jarring aesthetic.

The Two Worlds of Severance: Fictional Kier vs. Real-Life Filming Locations

The core of Severance's setting is defined by two distinct and opposing environments: the labyrinthine, minimalist offices of Lumon Industries and the seemingly normal, yet subtly sinister, town of Kier. Understanding where the show is truly "set" requires separating the fictional narrative from the actual production locations.

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• The Fictional Setting: Kier, PE: The town where Mark Scout and his colleagues live is named Kier, a community entirely beholden to the monolithic Lumon Industries. The town is steeped in the cult-like history of the company's founder, Kier Eagan, and its architecture and social structure reflect Lumon's pervasive influence. The state is never explicitly named, adding to the show's sense of isolation and timelessness.
• The Real-World Filming Locations: Hudson Valley, NY & New Jersey: The vast majority of the show’s production, including both Season 1 and the highly anticipated Season 2, took place in the Hudson Valley region of New York and several key spots in New Jersey. This geographical split is crucial to the show’s visual identity, with New Jersey providing the corporate shell and New York providing the suburban soul.

Lumon Industries Headquarters: The Real-Life Architectural Marvel

The exterior of the Lumon Industries building is arguably the most iconic and recognizable location in the entire series. Its imposing, modernist facade perfectly conveys the company's power, coldness, and impenetrable secrecy. This structure is not a set piece but a real-world architectural landmark.

• Building Name: Bell Works (formerly the Bell Labs Holmdel Complex).
• Location: Holmdel, New Jersey.
• Architectural Significance: Designed by the renowned Eero Saarinen (who also designed the St. Louis Gateway Arch and the TWA Flight Center), the structure is a striking example of mid-century modern architecture. The massive glass and steel building, which originally housed thousands of engineers and scientists for Bell Labs, now functions as a mixed-use "metroburb," hosting offices, retail, and community spaces.
• On-Screen Use: The exterior shots, the parking lot, and the imposing entrance where the "Severed" employees transition between their "Innie" and "Outie" selves are all filmed at Bell Works. The building’s vast, open spaces and long, empty corridors perfectly translate to the unsettling, sterile atmosphere of the Lumon offices seen on screen.

The Town of Kier: Upstate New York's Melancholy Suburbia

While the Lumon building is in New Jersey, the town of Kier—where Mark Scout, Dylan, and the other Outies live—is primarily brought to life using locations from the Hudson Valley in New York. This area provides the necessary blend of small-town charm, aging infrastructure, and a slightly depressed, isolated feeling that permeates the Outie's world.

• Kingston, NY: Much of the town setting, including scenes of Mark's neighborhood and other general streetscapes, was filmed in and around the city of Kingston, New York. This city, with its historic architecture and distinct Upstate feel, provides the backdrop for Mark's solitary life outside of Lumon.
• Mark Scout's House: The exterior of Mark's home, a key location for his Outie's grief and isolation, is a real house in the Hudson Valley area. Its modest, slightly run-down appearance contrasts sharply with the sleek modernity of Lumon.
• The Diner Scene: The iconic scene where Mark and Helly R. have their awkward, tense meal was filmed at the actual Phoenicia Diner in Ulster County, NY. This retro-style diner is a popular real-world spot, adding a layer of grounded reality to the otherwise surreal narrative.
• The Waterfall and Nature Scenes: The beautiful, yet foreboding, natural landscapes featured in the show, such as the waterfall and the wooded areas, were filmed at Minnewaska State Park in Ulster County, NY. This large, 24,000-acre park provides the perfect setting for the characters' moments of escape and reflection, contrasting the claustrophobia of the Lumon offices.

Topical Authority: Why the Setting is a Character Itself

The choice of these specific locations is not coincidental; it is a deliberate narrative device that enhances the show's topical authority and thematic depth. The juxtaposition of the two settings—the glass-and-steel corporate fortress of Bell Works and the quaint, older homes of Hudson Valley—serves as a constant visual reminder of the show's central conflict: the separation of work and life.

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The interior of Lumon, with its endless white corridors, low ceilings, and retro-futuristic technology (like the chunky monitors and old-school keyboards), suggests a company that is both timeless and stuck in the past. This deliberately anachronistic design choice is a key element of the show's atmosphere, suggesting that Lumon's power transcends modern trends and technology. The unsettling emptiness of the office space, achieved through meticulous set design, mirrors the emptiness felt by the Innies, who have no personal history or connection to the outside world.

Furthermore, the name of the fictional town, Kier, is a direct reference to Kier Eagan, the company's founder, whose philosophy and disturbing family history are central to the show's mythology. The town itself acts as an extension of the corporation, a community where everyone is either an employee or related to one, creating a closed, almost cult-like environment. This level of corporate saturation is made believable by filming in the quiet, isolated, and visually distinct communities of Ulster County and Kingston, which can easily be imagined as a place where a single, powerful entity like Lumon could exert total control.

As fans eagerly await updates on Season 2, the real-world locations continue to draw interest, offering a tangible link to the psychological thriller. Visiting these spots, from the imposing Holmdel complex to the rustic charm of the Phoenicia Diner, provides a unique way to connect with the show's themes of identity, memory, and the insidious nature of corporate power.

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