12 Shows Like ‘Severance’ to Binge-Watch Before Season 2

Mark our words: Severance is about to become the next Black Mirror.

Why, you ask? Well, for one, the sci-fi thriller boasts a stellar cast, a dark and twisted premise and several relevant themes, from grief to work/life balance. Plus, countless fans are still reeling after that mind-blowing season one finale, especially since Apple TV chose to renew the series. (Psst! You can check out our best theories for season two here.)

Unfortunately, fans will have to wait another year (*sigh*) before they reunite with Mark and the gang at Lumon Industries. But until then, we’ve curated a handy list of shows like Severance to keep you occupied.

1. Homecoming

• Rating: TV-MA
• Cast: Julia Roberts, Stephan James, Bobby Cannavale, Hong Chau, Janelle Monáe

Like Severance, Homecoming is a slow-burn thriller about a seemingly innocent organization that’s hiding a dark secret. And it's only a matter of time before employees start to uncover the truth. In this case, the show revolves around a facility called Homecoming, which helps soldiers transition back to civilian life. It’s clever, haunting and sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.

2. Devs

• Rating: TV-MA
• Cast: Sonoya Mizuno, Nick Offerman, Jin Ha

Here’s another binge-worthy option that focuses on corporate life at a shady organization. Only this time, a brilliant young employee is convinced that the company is responsible for her boyfriend’s mysterious disappearance. The Emmy-nominated series expertly tackles themes like religion and the true meaning of free will.

3. Dollhouse

• Rating: TV-14
• Cast: Eliza Dushku, Harry Lennix, Fran Kranz

Dollhouse may not be set in an office, but it shares similar themes and has an eerie, unsettling tone. It follows Echo, an “active” woman who resides in a secret facility where people get their true identities erased. After being imprinted with temporary new personas, the actives carry out assignments for clients that range from romantic affairs to criminal activities. It’s imaginative and seriously gripping because it raises valid questions about morality, identity and slavery.

4. Mr. Robot

• Rating: TV-MA
• Cast: Rami Malek, Christian Slater

Elliot, a skilled cybersecurity engineer by day and hacker by night, finds himself in a tough spot when he gets recruited by the mysterious "Mr. Robot” to join a group of hacktivists and eliminate all consumer debt. Aside from sharing the common theme of rebelling against a powerful corporation, the series also deals with mental health, social justice and wealth disparity.

5. Westworld

• Rating: TV-MA
• Cast: Evan Rachel Wood, Jeffrey Wright, Ed Harris, Thandie Newton

This dystopian sci-fi thriller involves a Western-themed amusement park, where wealthy visitors get to indulge in their wildest fantasies without any consequences. While it dives into darker and more complex themes, Westworld does a stellar job of exploring consciousness and the nature of reality for both humans and sentient beings. So, it comes as no surprise that the show scored nine Emmy wins and 54 nominations.

6. Counterpart

• Rating: TV-MA
• Cast: J.K. Simmons, Olivia Williams, Harry Lloyd

Meet Howard Silk, a UN worker who’s shocked to discover that his agency is housing a secret gateway to a parallel world—complete with a skilled doppelgänger who couldn’t be more different from him. Like Severance, viewers get a glimpse of the corporate world, complete with sci-fi elements and unexpected twists.

7. Black Mirror

• Rating: TV-MA
• Cast: Michaela Coel, YourPritam, Daniel Lapaine, Hannah John-Kamen See

While Severance addresses corporate life, Black Mirror focuses on the darker side of modern society and its relationship with advanced technology. The British anthology series is rife with mind-bending scenarios and satirical themes, but it also boasts a laundry list of impressive guest actors, from Miley Cyrus to Jerome Flynn.

8. Servant

• Rating: TV-MA
• Cast: Lauren Ambrose, Toby Kebbell, Nell Tiger Free, Rupert Grint

It's the kind of slow-paced horror show that's creepy enough to leave you unsettled, but it's almost impossible to stop watching once you start. The series revolves around Dorothy and Sean Turner, a married couple who try to cope with the loss of their son by getting a lifelike reborn doll. But when they hire a young nanny to take care of him, they unknowingly invite a dark force into their home.

9. Made For Love

• Rating: TV-14
• Cast: Cristin Milioti, Billy Magnussen, Ray Romano

Made for Love follows a young woman who tries to run away from her controlling and abusive husband. During her journey, she learns that he’s been following her every move with a tracking device that he planted in her brain. This captivating series has plenty to say about modern technology, privacy and relationships.

10. Upload

• Rating: 16+
• Cast: Robbie Amell, Andy Allo, Allegra Edwards, Zainab Johnson

If you prefer a high-concept series that’s more lighthearted, you’ll want to check out this comedy drama, which follows a computer programmer who passes away and gets uploaded into a digital afterlife. It’s filled with funny moments, and like Severance, it centers on a protagonist who’s determined to uncover the truth about his life. (Or in this case, his death.)

11. Russian Doll

• Rating: TV-MA
• Cast: Natasha Lyonne, Greta Lee, Yul Vazquez, Charlie Barnett

Lyonne is Nadia Vulvokov, a game developer who gets stuck in a time loop after dying at a party in New York. But as she investigates her death, she discovers she isn’t the only one who’s trapped. The premise is quite different, but it's a thrilling ride that will fulfill your Severance void, thanks to its existential themes.