The Apple TV+ series Severance has become one of the most popular and acclaimed productions in Ben Stiller's filmography. The hit sci-fi drama series was created by writer Dan Erickson, so most general audiences don't know Stiller is involved. However, Stiller has long been a major driving force in the acclaimed show's production, both creatively and financially.

Stiller had been a part of Severance's journey from script to screen since getting hold of Erickson's story. Stiller helped assemble the Severance season 2, as his company, connections, and creative skills helped make it a pop culture juggernaut.

Ben Stiller's Production Company Is Behind Severance

Ben Stiller Helped Make The Severance Pilot Into A Series

Severance went on its way to becoming the TV phenomenon it is today after Stiller was given a copy of Erickson's script years prior. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Stiller revealed that Erickson submitted his Severance pilot script to his production company, Red Hour Productions:

"It was supposed to be a writing sample, but I read it and was like, "This is great. Is anybody trying to make this?" It just immediately jumped off the page to me in of Dan's style and his tone, and I thought it was a great pilot."

Stiller first read the script at least five years before the series premiered in 2022. Impressed with how Severance reflected the workplace comedies released years prior with its own unique story, Stiller chose to make the pilot into a series, putting together a writer's room and creating scripts for the show's first season.

Likewise, Stiller brought Adam Scott to Severance, helping him gain the role of the lead protagonist, Mark. Having worked together on 2013'sThe Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Stiller connected with Scott and offered him a role in the series. Before starring in Severance, Scott was known for playing straight-faced characters in several comedy shows and films, most notably Ben Wyatt on Parks and Recreation.

Ben Stiller Is A Primary Director Of Severance Episodes

Ben Stiller Directed Many Episodes In Seasons 1 And 2 Of Severance

Along with being an executive producer on the show, Stiller has served as a prominent director of episodes in Severance's first two seasons. Originally, Stiller was only supposed to direct the pilot episode of Severance, but he chose to direct many more episodes later on. He would eventually direct half of the ten episodes in Severance season 2.

Severance Episodes Directed By Ben Stiller:

Having directed big-budget films like The Cable Guy, Zoolander, and Tropic Thunder, Stiller was well-equipped to helm the production of several Severance episodes. With a whopping 11 episodes under his belt, Stiller remains the most recurring director on Severance so far. Though this is an incredible achievement, it is worth acknowledging that Erickson has remained the primary creative force as the showrunner of Severance.

Ben Stiller Voices Kier Eagan In Severance

Ben Stiller Sneaked In A Clever Cameo As Lumon's Founder

As an EP and a recurring director on Severance, Stiller was able to squeeze in a small acting role for himself at one point in the series. Though his role is uncredited, Stiller portrayed the founder of Lumon Industries, Kier Eagan. Though the character doesn't appear in the flesh, Stiller provides Kier's voice when the latter appears in an animated video in Severance season 1, episode 8.

In said episode, Kier appears on Helly's computer screen after she reaches 100% on her data refinement file, congratulating her for her efforts. Kier even says he loves her, which seems to foreshadow the twist in Severance that she is really Helena Eagan, a descendant of Kier's and the daughter of Lumon's current CEO, Jame Eagan. It's a fitting cameo for Stiller, given that Kier created Lumon and the former helped create Severance for Apple TV+.

Though Ben Stiller wasn't the one who created Severance, he was, without a doubt, a great contributor to making it the television phenomenon it is today. Having truly believed in Erickson and his script, Stiller provided all the resources needed to bring this ambitious story to life, and his skills as a filmmaker made him a guiding force in the show's production. His work on Severance just displays his variety of talents beyond being the comedic actor who rose up in Hollywood in the past few decades. But it was only with Stiller and Erickson's combined efforts that they were able to make a sci-fi sensation.

Source: Entertainment Weekly