Silo’s Cast Explain What Makes the Post-Apocalyptic Series So Relevant Right Now

Despite being set in a sprawling underground silo years after an apocalyptic event destroyed the Earth’s surface, Apple TV+’s Silo still holds special relevance to current events and the world we live in — and not just because we’re all slowly becoming doomsday preppers. The ending of Season 1 saw Juliette Nichols (Rebecca Ferguson) leave the vault and journey to the surface, while the residents of the silo were on the cusp of a full-blown riot. Much was revealed about the underground vault and its corrupt political system. But, thanks to giant screens around the silo, the inhabitants know very little truthful information about the world above.

Speaking to ComicBook.com, Silo stars Shane McRae and Remmie Milner discussed what makes the sci-fi series so relevant. “I think the idea of what is truth and I mean specifically, is what’s on the screen truth,” said McRae. The founders of the silo used projectors and screens to paint a false version of the world above to the inhabitants of the silo, allowing them to maintain control. While we don’t all live in an underground bunker (yet), screens have become an invaluable part of our lives, and a major threat to the idea of truth. She continued:

“I mean, is there a more relevant statement than… we all carry around these little screens that tell us things and it’s a perfect metaphor for the people that have the big screen in the cafeteria.
We’re trying to figure out whether what we see is true.
And we’re trying to figure out if the powers that be have our best interests at heart.”

Season 2 of Silo debuts on Apple TV+ on November 15. The new season sees Juliette discover a second vault in the derelict wilderness. However, with the knowledge that her own silo could fall to ruin because of rioting, she desperately finds a way to return home, while discovering the truth about the silos. Season 2 also stars Common, Tim Robbins, Harriet Walter, Iain Glen, Avi Nash, Alexandria Riley, Chinaza Uche, and Rick Gomez.

Silo’s Riots Feel Worryingly Relevant

It’s not just Silo‘s themes of truth and deception through technology that feel relevant to contemporary audiences, as the threat of riots currently looms over America once again. Following the recent election results, shops and buildings across the country have prepared for unrest following the January 6 riots. There is an obvious through-line between the country’s current political situation, and the residents of the silo preparing to violently revolt against their own corrupt leaders.

In an earlier interview with Entertainment Weekly, Silo‘s creator, Graham Yost, described Season 2 of the show as “really, really scary.” While he didn’t overtly reference current events, the creator said:

“There’s the beginnings of a call for rebellion, because Juliette went over the hill, so maybe it’s safe outside. And yet what we saw over in the other silo is what can happen if the rebellion goes wrong and all the people died, so that’s the basic tension of the season.”

Release Date

May 5, 2023

Seasons

1