The year 2024 brought a stark realization of the risks involved in diving into streaming TV shows. With viewing figures often obscured and the unpredictable decisions of streaming platforms seldom explained, a newly beloved series that appears to be widely embraced can suddenly face cancellation without warning. However, fans of Silo can breathe easy: this exceptional adaptation of Hugh Howey’s novels has officially been confirmed for a full four-season run.
Originally self-published in 2011, Hugh Howey's short story "Wool" became a sensation through word of mouth, eventually leading to a trilogy of novels known as the Silo series. These serve as the foundation for Apple’s Silo, which depicts a post-apocalyptic society residing in a massive underground silo. Written by Graham Yost of Justified fame and featuring a talented cast that includes Rebecca Ferguson (Dune), David Oyelowo, and Tim Robbins, the show is currently releasing its second season weekly on Apple TV+, and it's nothing short of fantastic.
While it may seem odd that Silo shares thematic similarities with the Fallout series’ portrayal of post-apocalyptic underground societies, the two shows offer distinct experiences. Amazon’s Fallout adaptation explores bunker life more than the games typically do, whereas Silo presents a world where the inhabitants are not given the option to venture outside. Anyone who dares to attempt escape meets a grim fate, falling dead almost immediately after the taboo act of leaving the silo.
The result is utterly captivating, as the complex hierarchical systems within the silo clash with the mysteries hidden behind its walls (and mirrors), all centered around Rebecca Ferguson’s character, Juliette Nichols. A mechanic born in the upper levels but forced to live in the lower sections, she grapples with the repercussions of her parents' actions and boldly defies the blasphemous rules regarding "old tech," essentially anything containing a CPU.
I love it. Having read the short story ages ago, I find the show to be an extraordinary realization of the scenario, featuring stunning performances, beautiful direction, and incredible set design. Given recent trends, I would usually be wary of becoming too attached to such an outstanding sci-fi series!
The Struggles of Sci-Fi
It's been a tough few years for fans of fantasy and sci-fi. Netflix canceled Shadow and Bone, Welcome to Eden, 1899, and Kaos, while Disney+ axed The Acolyte and Apple TV+ hardly gave Time Bandits a chance to shine before also canceling Constellation. Not to mention What We Do in the Shadows, Superman & Lois, Andor, Arcane, The Boys, and The Umbrella Academy all coming to their intended conclusions either now or in the next season. The high likelihood of cancellation has made many viewers reluctant to invest emotionally in new streaming shows.
So, it’s a genuine delight to hear that Apple has renewed Silo, not just for a third season but for a fourth as well, with the intention of wrapping up the series at that point. After all, by then, it will have exhausted the source material from the books and short stories to adapt.
In Apple’s press release, series creator Graham Yost expressed excitement about the upcoming seasons, stating, “With the final two chapters of Silo, we can’t wait to provide fans with an incredibly satisfying conclusion to the many mysteries and unanswered questions contained within the walls of these silos.” This is a huge relief, especially since Silo is not a show like Lost or From, where the absence of answers could be agonizing—especially when solutions are available to those familiar with the source material (or you could just read the books, I suppose).
Rebecca Ferguson, who carries much of the show's weight with her remarkable performance, also serves as an executive producer. She shared her enthusiasm, albeit in typical press-release language, saying, “I have always felt passionately about telling the entire story contained within Hugh Howey’s books, so I couldn’t be happier that audiences around the world have enthusiastically embraced the show. I cannot wait to dive into these final two thought-provoking seasons that will beautifully conclude this dystopian tale.”
If you have access to Apple TV+, be sure to check out Silo. It’s also worth mentioning that as of last month, Apple’s content is now available through Amazon Prime in the U.S. and the UK, making it much easier to find.
.jpeg)
0 Comments