Apple TV+’s science fiction drama Severance is set in a New York office, but key scenes were shot in Newfoundland, Canada, leveraging the province’s distinctive coastal scenery, compact towns, and soundstage facilities. This guide clarifies where in Newfoundland the series was filmed, how locations were selected, and what remains verifiable on the ground. It covers publicly reported shooting sites, municipal permissions, and landscape doubles used for the show’s atmospheric winter and coastal sequences.
Overview of Filming in Newfoundland for Severance
Principal photography for Severance occurred primarily in New York City and in Newfoundland, under a production design that emphasized muted, controlled interiors contrasted with stark outdoor environments. In Newfoundland, production activity centered in two zones: the city of St. John’s and its immediate vicinity, and the Cineplex Entertainment Studios in nearby Markham, Ontario, which doubled for certain urban street scenes. Outdoor sequences shot in Newfoundland used coastal roads, harbors, and cliff edges to evoke the show’s chilly, isolating tone. The following sections detail how each location contributed to the series’ visual language and logistical planning.
Confirmed Newfoundland Filming Locations
St. John’s and Surrounding Municipalities
The provincial capital, St. John’s, and adjacent towns served as the primary on-ground footprint for Severance in Newfoundland. Production utilized narrow streets, historic brick buildings, and waterfront areas to stand in for generic North American small-city exteriors. Permits issued by the City of St. John’s outline road closures and crew sizes for specific dates. Below is a summary of key shooting attributes documented by municipal authorities and industry trackers.
| Location | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown St. John’s | Multiple days of road closures for street scenes | Municipal permit notices |
| Signal Hill Road | Used for exterior driving and wide cliff shots | Production reports |
| Quidi Vidi Harbour area | Harbor and low‑rise backdrop plates | Local business logs |
Additional neighborhoods, including parts of Mount Pearl and Paradise, were also used for quieter residential street segments. No large permanent sets were constructed; crews relied on existing architecture and temporary signage to maintain continuity across takes.
Markham, Ontario: Studio Work for Urban Interiors
Some interior corridor and lobby scenes were filmed at Cineplex Entertainment Studios in Markham, Ontario, a dedicated backlot and soundstage facility. This allowed precise control over lighting and camera movement for the show’s signature symmetrical compositions. While the studio work was not located in Newfoundland, it was tied to the province’s production incentives and crew availability, making Newfoundland a practical base for cast and key personnel between studio days.
How Newfoundland Locations Were Selected
Location selection for Severance in Newfoundland followed a mix of aesthetic and practical criteria. Production designer Mark Friedberg and director Ben Stiller sought environments that felt simultaneously familiar and slightly off, using Newfoundland’s mix of modern infrastructure and rugged coastline to echo the series’ theme of split identity. Municipal cooperation, available housing for crews, and existing film infrastructure also weighed heavily in decision-making.
- Compact downtown blocks that could be closed safely for multiple days.
- Coastal roads with low traffic volumes to accommodate camera rigs and trucks.
- Existing local businesses that could double as cafes or storefronts with minimal dressing.
- Provincial film incentives that offset higher costs for remote shooting.
Verified On‑Screen and Off‑Screen Details
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Primary shooting province | Newfoundland (St. John’s area) | Production registry |
| Key outdoor streets | Signal Hill Road, downtown commercial corridors | Municipal permits |
| Studio partner for interiors | Cineplex Entertainment Studios, Markham, Ontario | Studio listing |
| Season or filming window | Late fall to early winter | Historic production calendars |
| Typical crew size on location | 70–120 people depending on scene | Industry reports |
What Has and Has Not Been Confirmed
Several online posts claim specific alleyways, private homes, or remote highways were used in Severance. Verified information is limited to municipal permits, studio backlot usage, and general location scouting notes. Claims that any particular residence or private property was a named set should be treated as unverified unless supported by an official permit or production release. Similarly, while the production engaged local vendors, detailed cast‑and‑crew itineraries or exact daily call sheets are not part of the public record.
Current Accessibility of Filming Sites
Most streets in downtown St. John’s remain open to the public, though certain blocks may be temporarily closed for events or filming if future production occurs. The harbor area near Quidi Vidi continues to operate as a mixed commercial and tourist zone. Markham studio interiors are not open to the public, as they are active production facilities. Visitors interested in the look and feel of the Newfoundland shoot can explore the same coastal roads and viewpoints referenced in behind‑the‑scenes materials, while respecting private property and ongoing business operations.
Wrap‑Up
The use of Newfoundland in Severance illustrates how regional landscapes can substitute for narrative placeholders while delivering a convincing, chilly near‑future atmosphere. Verified filming activity centered on St. John’s streets and harbor, complemented by studio work in Ontario. Understanding where the show was and was not shot helps separate production fact from on‑line speculation.
FAQ
Reader questions
Were any scenes built from scratch in Newfoundland?
No large permanent sets were built in Newfoundland. The series relied on existing architecture, temporary street dressing, and studio backlots in Ontario for interior precision work.
Which landmarks appear most frequently in the show?
Cliffside roadway vistas and compact brick‑fronted streets are the most recognizable Newfoundland stand‑ins, though specific landmarks are not directly identified in the series.
Can tourists visit the exact spots used in Severance?
Public streets and harbor areas in St. John’s can be visited, but exact lots or business entrances may be active working locations and should be approached with care.
How did Newfoundland’s landscape influence the show’s tone?
The muted coastal palette, winter light, and isolated cliff edges helped give Severance a restrained, atmospheric backdrop that complements its corporate‑sci-fi narrative.
Will there be future filming in Newfoundland for other projects?
Newfoundland’s production incentives continue to attract series and films, but no confirmed plans for additional Severance shoots have been announced.