The latest season of Apple TV's science fiction series Silo is drawing attention for its increasingly relevant portrayal of global conflict, according to the show's creators. The series, which depicts a society confined to a massive underground bunker after an unspecified disaster renders the outside world uninhabitable, has found its narrative echoing real-world events in ways that its writers did not anticipate.
The second season finale offered a glimpse into the past, hinting at a world ravaged by a dirty bomb attack on the United States by Iran. Season three's narrative picks up with a counterattack on Iran, a plotline that showrunner Graham Yost noted has become sensitive. "We had no control over when [season 3] was going to come out, that it would be during a war with Iran, but in the books there was talk of a mission to Iran, so we just kept that in," Yost explained to Polygon. He recalled the team's decision to change the name of a fictional operation, 'Righteous Hammer,' after a real-world bombing mission was named 'Midnight Hammer,' a change made to avoid sounding "too flip" about a serious matter.
Rebecca Ferguson, who stars in and executive produces Silo, reflected on the challenge of adapting the story amidst global turmoil. "Do we change our storyline because of the situation in the world because it's affecting everyone?" she mused.
Ashley Zukerman, who joined the main cast this season as Congressman Daniel Keene, found the show's topicality to be a significant draw. "The writers and Hugh Howey were just very on the pulse of what’s going on in the world in a way that I wasn’t," Zukerman stated. He pointed to the show's early incorporation of artificial intelligence themes, which predated the recent surge in AI discussions, as an example of the writers' foresight. "It just made it feel like the writers really knew what they were talking about."
While Silo, based on Hugh Howey's novels, incorporates broader science fiction elements as the season progresses, Zukerman believes the show's core themes remain resonant with contemporary issues. "The show seemed to just ask all the same questions that I ask of the world," he said. "I think the show is ultimately just about living in dark times and how you keep the light alive in yourself and in each other. That's what’s beautiful about it. I think it’s just a very kind show. Everyone is just really trying to do their best. You can understand everyone's point of view."
Silo season 3 premiered on July 3 on Apple TV.