Is Silo based on a true story? Explained

Silo is a popular dystopian TV series that premiered on Apple TV+ on May 5, 2023. The second season premiered on November 15, 2024, and will conclude on January 17, 2025. It quickly gained attention for its gripping plot and immersive world-building. The series is set in a post-apocalyptic future where humanity resides in a massive underground silo.

With each level symbolizing a different aspect of society, the silo houses the last traces of mankind. Based on Hugh Howey's Silo trilogy of novels (Wool, Shift, and Dust), the show's rich narrative and sharp mysteries have enthralled viewers.

The series is not based on real events. However, it finds motivation in actual subjects, including human conditions, climate change, and social collapse.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from the series. Reader's discretion is advised.

The story behind the series

The series is a dystopian thriller set in a future where humanity lives inside a giant underground silo. It explores the lives of the residents who live in this confined space, cut off from the outside world.

They are constantly surveilled and follow strict rules. The narrative starts when a mystery death drives Juliette (Rebecca Ferguson) to learn the secrets and its strictly regulated society.

The series is based on Hugh Howey’s books, particularly the first novel, Wool. Originally including Shift and Dust, the trilogy became a huge hit and was later adapted into a TV series. The television format fits Howey's complex world-building and layered characters, allowing his provocative dystopian world to come alive.

Howey's Silo series was initiated in 2011 by creating Wool as a stand-alone short story through Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing. As the series became more popular, he added to it by putting together the short story and five novellas into the omnibus Wool.

Howey got hold of the international rights in 2012, including a deal in Brazil. By March 2013, he had signed a $500,000 deal with Simon & Schuster for print-only rights. He turned down higher offers to give up the rights to distribute the book online instead.

The Silo World

The silo is a substantial underground structure that is intended to safeguard humanity from the external environment. The inhabitants are informed that the toxic air will result in their death if they venture outside, as the outside world is deemed uninhabitable.

Based on their social level, the people living in the silo are split into several tiers; the lower levels usually live under difficult circumstances. Central to the series, the strict social structure reflects themes of control, fear, and the survival drive.

The series begins with a focus on Juliette, a mechanic who uncovers troubling truths about the underground world. She starts questioning the rules and order that have governed her life and the lives of those around her. The more Juliette investigates, the more she discovers about the corruption, secrets, and dangers hidden within the silo.

One of the most gripping aspects of the show is the struggle for truth. As Juliette challenges the established order, she faces fierce opposition from those in power.

A recurring motif in the show is the conflict between personal liberty and societal control. Juliette discovers as she studies that her struggle for survival challenges the forces inside the silo itself rather than only the outside world.

Cast of Silo

Rebecca Ferguson as Juliette Nichols
Amelie Child-Villiers as Young Juliette
Rashida Jones as Allison Becker
David Oyelowo as Holston Becker
Common as Robert Sims
Tim Robbins as Bernard Holland
Harriet Walter as Martha Walker
Avi Nash as Lukas Kyle
Rick Gomez as Patrick Kennedy
Chinaza Uche as Paul Billings
Shane McRae as Knox
Charlie Coombes as Young Knox
Remmie Milner as Shirley Campbell
Ida Brooke as Young Shirley
Alexandria Riley as Camille Sims
Clare Perkins as Carla McLain
Billy Postlethwaite as Hank
Steve Zahn as Solo

Production and direction

The series has been well-received for its attention to detail and robust production values. Graham Yost, renowned for his work on Justified, adapted the series for television. Yost has infused Howey's world with a visual style harmonizing with the show's dark, atmospheric atmosphere.

Filming commenced in late August 2021 in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, with plans to continue until the second quarter of 2022. The cinematography team included Mark Patten, David Luther, and Laurie Rose. Production designer Gavin Bocquet oversaw the creation of the silo, with the primary set featuring three stairwell levels, each designed to depict distinct locations.

Stay tuned for more news and updates on the series and similar projects as the year progresses.

Edited by Rachith Rao