Severance has a woke score of 63/100, which means it is mixed, with noticeable woke elements. Severance follows Mark Scout and his colleagues at the mysterious Lumon Industries who undergo a surgical procedure that completely separates their work memories from their personal lives, creating distinct "innie" and "outie" selves. Across the first two seasons, the story builds a mystery around the company's true purpose while exploring themes of identity, memory, corporate control, and personal rebellion. The series includes a noticeable subplot of a developing gay romance between two older male colleagues that is portrayed as ordinary and low-key, plus season-two satirical elements around corporate diversity gestures and workplace racial dynamics through one Black manager's experiences.

Is there DEI in Severance?

The biggest factors in our score are Institutional / cultural critique, Identity-driven story themes, Political / ideological dialogue. Mark leads a team of office workers whose memories have been surgically divided between their work and personal lives. When a mysterious colleague appears outside of work, it begins a journey to discover the truth about their jobs.

TV Show review

Severance

Breakdown

Factors & Ratings

These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Severance.

Representation / casting choices

Natural ethnic mix fits a modern U.S. office; key Black roles (Dylan, Milchick) and Asian-Australian actress in recurring part appear organic to the story world rather than signaling or mismatched. Season 2 uses one arc to mock corporate tokenism.

38 / 100

Political / ideological dialogue

Frequent scenes and lines critique corporate exploitation, empty "reforms," cult-like loyalty demands, and how work erodes the self; strong anti-capitalist tone backed by creator comments, but presented as philosophical satire rather than partisan lectures.

48 / 100

Identity-driven story themes

Central premise is about split identity and personal autonomy. The Irving-Burt gay romance is audience-visible, low-drama, and normalized across seasons without messaging. Racial workplace satire in season 2 adds secondary identity layer but stays tied to corporate critique.

52 / 100

Institutional / cultural critique

Sharp, recurring satire portrays corporations as dehumanizing institutions that steal humanity, co-opt rebellion, and deploy superficial inclusion tactics (e.g., Milchick's performance review and founder reimagining). Focuses on power, class, and alienation rather than specific modern identity frameworks like patriarchy or systemic racism.

Severance

Factors & Ratings

Summary

Main Cast

Director & Crew