Primary Production Base and Studio Work
Most of Severance’s interior sets were built and shot at Manhattan Beach Studios in Manhattan Beach, California. This 21st‑century backlot provides controlled stages and soundstages for the show’s distinctive office corridors, stair towers, and apartment interiors. Working with a single soundstage provider helps keep the look consistent across episodes while accommodating the series’ exacting production design and lighting needs.
New York City Street and Neighborhood Shooting
Greenpoint and Brooklyn Locations
For external shots that establish the city around Lumon, the production filmed in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, notably on Java Street at the intersection with Franklin Street. The block of Franklin Street between Java and Manhattan Avenues was also used, contributing to the muted urban backdrop that underscores the show’s subdued palette. These neighborhoods were selected for their textured streetscapes and practical access for cameras and crew.
Additional NYC Work
While many street scenes lean on Greenpoint, the production also utilized other parts of New York City to vary establishing shots and maintain visual continuity with the city’s grid. The broader use of New York imagery helps ground the series in a recognizable metropolitan environment while balancing the uncanny interior world of Lumon.
New Jersey Sites and River Views
Jersey City and the Waterfront
Several scenes were shot across the Hudson River in Jersey City, New Jersey, where production was active on side streets and along the waterfront. Specific blocks in the Journal Square area and near the water were used to create exterior plates that suggest a neighboring city while keeping logistical demands manageable for the production schedule.
West New York and Edgewater
West New York and Edgewater also served as locations, providing residential streets and riverfront views that complement Jersey City footage. These New Jersey municipalities contribute to the series’ depiction of a dense, working‑class urban fringe just outside Manhattan, reinforcing the show’s themes of proximity and separation.
Contrasting Interiors and Exteriors
The choice to shoot interiors in California while using New York and New Jersey for exteriors supports Severance’s storytelling. Keeping most controlled set work on the West Coast preserves production efficiency, while location shoots in the New York metropolitan area lend authenticity to the world outside Lumon. This split also underscores the series’ visual language, with warm studio lighting contrasting against cooler, naturalistic street scenes.
Production Notes and Practical Considerations
Shooting across two states and multiple municipal jurisdictions introduced standard but important production considerations around permits, union rules, and local incentives. The team balanced these factors against the need for precise production design and continuity, which is especially important for a show whose aesthetic depends on subtle repetition of sets, lighting, and street details.
Summary of Key Filming Locations
| Location | Type of Shots | Contribution to the Show |
|---|---|---|
| Manhattan Beach Studios, California | Interior sets, corridors, apartments | Controlled environment for meticulous production design |
| Greenpoint and Franklin Street, Brooklyn, New York | Street-level establishing shots, neighborhood context | Muted, textured urban backdrop |
| Jersey City, New Jersey | Waterfront and side-street exteriors | Nearby city feel across the Hudson River |
| West New York and Edgewater, New Jersey | Residential streets and river views | Dense fringe just outside Manhattan |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Was Severance filmed in New York? Yes, external and street scenes were shot in New York City neighborhoods such as Greenpoint, Brooklyn, and in nearby New Jersey municipalities including Jersey City, West New York, and Edgewater.
- Where were the interior sets built? The majority of interior sets were constructed and filmed at Manhattan Beach Studios in Manhattan Beach, California.
- Why such a split between California and New York shooting? Separating controlled studio work from location shoots supports efficiency, continuity, and the show’s visual contrast between the pristine interior and the grittier urban exterior.
Conclusion
Severance’s filming locations combine a purpose‑built soundstage in California with carefully chosen streets in New York and New Jersey to create its distinct visual world. This production strategy balances efficiency and control with the need for authentic urban texture, helping to sustain the series’ atmospheric storytelling over its episodes.