Apple TV+’s Silo, based on the Wool series of novels by author Hugh Howey, begins like so many dystopia with a seed of doubt in one character’s minds that maybe their home, in this case the titular Silo, isn’t all they have been led to believe it is. Unlike most series though Silo isn’t afraid to impart immediate consequences on several major characters, and seemingly in doing so quell those doubts within the community at large. That is till Juliette Nichols, an engineer in maintenance who helps the Silo run, loses her loved one in a tragedy dismissed as suicide, and then becomes the Sherrif with the power to investigate this, and other, mysterious deaths.

Rebecca Ferguson and David Oyelowo in “Silo (Source: Apple TV+)

Nichols then becomes our eyes as she tries to get to the bottom of the mysteries of the Silo, and as she does we follow her through every step and misstep of her journey. Expertly we are given just enough to know to doubt what is going on, but not enough for clear, predictable answers, even up until the very end of season 1’s conclusion when mysteries and answers come together to reveal an even larger question.

What helps expertly sell this world is the cast. Nichols herself, played by Rebecca Ferguson, is expertly played; however, I find the supporting cast equally compelling including Common, Tim Robbins, and probably most impressively Harriet Walter. Rashida Jones, David Oyelowo, Will Patton, and Geraldine James also serve the story well with their performances.

David Oyelowo, Geraldine James and Will Patton in “Silo” (Source: Apple TV+)

The Silo as a set piece as well is expertly conceived, and credit to Howey the author for its original creation, and for the set designers for its construction and design on the show. The Silo works perfectly as a tool that speaks to class differences, with the uppers and lowers in sharp contrast to each other, similar to the world of Fritz Lang’s Metropolis. The Silo and its design also fits the perfect balance of a dystopian world that is both seemingly advanced in its technology and stunted, which is always an added level of intrigue when trying to see how a world like this could run.

Fortunately Season 2 of Silo has already been confirmed by Apple TV+, because what is revealed at the end of Season 1 only begs more questions even as it answers a few of our burning questions. I know I cannot wait to dig deeper into this compelling dystopian world, and I imagine this will be true for many as I expect the fandom for Silo to only grow and grow.

Common in “Silo” (Source: Apple TV+)