Severance finally returns January 17. In an interview with Vanity Fair, series writer and creator Dan Erickson attributed the nearly three-year gap between seasons to the fact that it’s a “very intricate show” in which “the writing was the most painstaking part of the process.

The second season of Severance is still a couple of weeks away, but Apple just dropped the first eight minutes of the premiere episode. It’s on the streaming platform right now.

But Severance season one isn’t the only sci-fi show you should try and check out during the free period; as io9 has noted before, Apple TV+ is an excellent destination for genre fare. The list of original series has continued to grow, but these are the five must-see titles, starting with the one we’ve already been hyping up:

Apple has released the first eight minutes of the highly anticipated Severance season two premiere as a special preview for Apple TV+

“Severance” Season 2 will consist of 10 episodes; the premiere episode streams globally on Apple TV + on Friday January 17, 2025. Subsequent episodes will roll out every Friday through March 21.

Apple TV+ is going free for one weekend because it lacks viewers — but it is far from lacking in absolutely superb shows to watch. Here's what to see first, and just why Apple is doing this.

Apple has released the first eight minutes of the first episode of the second season of “Severance.” The exclusive preview is now available in the ‌Apple TV‌ app under the Bonus Content section of the “Severance” page.

Kick off 2025 with these 3 incredible Apple TV+ series in January - starting with (finally!) the second season of Severance.

Severance season 2 is dropping soon on Apple TV+, and as a holiday preview Apple has just released the first eight minutes of the season.