What year does Severance take place? Usage of retro-tech in Lumon, explained 

The awaited Severance Season 2 has arrived on Apple TV+ and fans are curious to dive into the mysteries of Lumon Industries. It centers around the controversial procedure, which separates the employee's consciousness into two distinct identities: Innies and Outies.

While this procedure is incredibly effective for the company, it takes a toll on the personal and professional lives of the workers. Among the standout characters in the TV series is Mark S, played by Adam Scott.

As seen in the latest episode of Season 2, Mr. Milchick convinced Mark to return to the company, and now he is back inside those mysterious walls along with his friends. However, another detail that often ignites curiosity among fans is the timeline where the series takes place.

Severance takes place in the present day, likely between 2022 and 2026. This has been confirmed through Mark's driver's license in the show, in which his birth year is 1978, and the date on which the license was issued is mentioned as April 24, 2020.

The world where the show is set feels bizarre and unsettling to look timeless. What intensifies curiosity among viewers is the retro aesthetics and modern elements inside the company.

Continue reading to know more about the show and how this timeline fits into the narrative.

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Exploring the timeline where Severance takes place

After watching Severance on Apple TV+, many might wonder if the show takes place in the far future as it follows a unique technology of splitting an individual's consciousness. However, the show takes place between 2022 and 2026, with the blend of retro designs with modern technology creating a disorienting effect for the viewers.

Creator, Dan Erickson, also confirmed the timeline during an interview with The Wrap, explaining that he kept the timeline intentionally vague. Erickson said:

"It is around now, it’s like vaguely now-ish... We’re not going for something where this is 10 years in the future where severance has been invented and already exists. It’s sort of an alternate, vaguely now-ish timeline."

While specific dates aren't mentioned in Severnace Season 1 and the ongoing Season 2, Mark’s driving license serves as a key element. The mention of The Kier Chronicle in the Season 2 premiere led fans to wonder if the show is set in 2030, but the creator had already explained that Severance isn’t meant to take place ten years in the future.

Also Read: When does S.W.A.T. Season 8 return in 2025? Details about mid-season hiatus, explored

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A deeper look into Lumon's retro-tech in Severance

Severance introduced fans to the retrofuturistic technology used in Lumon Industries to highlight a controlling atmosphere. The office can be seen with outdated designs as if they are from the mid-20th century.

However, the retro design plays a big role in comforting the Innies and helping them accept their severed lives in Lumon. The soft lighting and tones allow the Innies to adjust to their new reality without questioning their environment.

At the same time, the retro-tech highlights Lumon's sinister control over its employees. The company cleverly utilizes outdated technology and equipment to cover its dark practices.

This way, the company limits the employees from using modern technology and has more control over them. So, the retro-tech isn't just for the show's aesthetics but to showcase its dark and controlling nature.

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