I Think I Know Where Kier, PE Is in Severance

For some time, I’ve noticed a number of clues hinting at where Kier, PE might be located in the real world. After digging through evidence across both seasons, I believe Severance is subtly placing Kier somewhere in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. More specifically, I think it’s near or just south of Marquette, MI—approximately equidistant from Grand Rapids, MI, and Milwaukee, WI (as the crow flies). While I admit there may be some confirmation bias since I’m from Michigan, I think the evidence stacks up pretty convincingly.

The Clues:

1. "One of the Nation’s Most Well-Regarded Peninsulas"

In a recent episode, a newspaper article mentioned that "a celebration was held Saturday on one of the nation’s most well-regarded peninsulas" in reference to the parade for the four Lumon workers.

This feels like a very intentional nod to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, which is one of the most distinctive peninsulas in the U.S. The show’s setting also closely matches the climate and geography of the U.P.—cold, remote, and dotted with industrial remnants.

2. Grand Rapids, MI and Milwaukee, WI Mentions

• In S2E1, a new MDR worker casually mentions just exiting a lease in Grand Rapids, MI.

• In S2E5, Burt mentions he and Fields had to cancel a vacation to Milwaukee, WI.

Individually, these don’t seem like much, but if we triangulate a location that’s roughly equidistant from both, we land near Marquette, MI. This would make Milwaukee a plausible vacation destination, reinforcing that Lumon’s location is somewhere in this region.

3. Kier’s Painting and the Michigan Connection

In Season 2, we see a painting of Kier overlooking lakes, and its composition strikingly resembles Michigan, surrounded by the Great Lakes. The two landmasses in the painting resemble a mitten (Lower Peninsula) and a strip of land above it (Upper Peninsula).

While the perspective of the painting might be skewed for stylistic reasons, I believe it is a symbolic representation of Michigan—possibly even hiding "Peninsula" (PE) in the fake state's name.

4. Woe’s Hollow Geography Matches Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

In the "Woe’s Hollow" episode, we see cliffs, small hills, frozen lakes, and the "world’s tallest waterfall" (which humorously isn’t very big). These features strongly resemble the Upper Peninsula:

• The Porcupine Mountains have small mountains and rugged terrain.
• Lake Superior is massive, round, and Marquette sits right on its shores.
• Michigan’s U.P. is home to some of the world’s most humble waterfalls, similar to the one in the show.

5. Singing the Song of my People

We've heard Dr. Mauer whistle "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" by Gordon Lightfoot, a song about a shipwreck on Lake Superior. This song is a classic in Michigan and the Great Lakes region, further hinting at the U.P. as the show’s setting. This might have been one of the biggest dog whistles for Michigan viewers.

6. Mr. Drummond's Michigan Connection

The name "Drummond" could be a nod to the Drummond Island area in Michigan, which is just off the coast of the Upper Peninsula. This could be another subtle hint at the show’s location.

7. Kier’s Water Symbolism and the Great Lakes

Kier is famously quoted saying, "drink of my waters." Given Michigan’s deep connection to the Great Lakes—the world’s largest source of fresh water—this could be another subtle clue.

Lumon’s logo also prominently features a water droplet, reinforcing water as a major thematic symbol.

8. The Kellogg Connection: Kier as a Gilded Age Visionary

Kier Eagan’s industrialist, cult-like presence in the world of Severance bears striking similarities to John Harvey Kellogg, the famous Michigan-based businessman and wellness zealot:

• Purity Ideals: Kellogg promoted ideas about health and moral purity, including the belief that bland foods (like cornflakes) could suppress immoral urges—a philosophy that echoes Kier’s "taming of tempers."
• The Battle Creek Sanatorium: Kellogg’s medical and wellness facility was an elite retreat for wealthy industrialists, much like how Lumon is presented as an exclusive and almost sacred workplace. (If you have more Kellogg-Kier parallels, they’d fit well here!)

9. The Industrial Roots of Kier’s Empire

Kier’s family originally built their fortune managing ether factories, though the show doesn’t specify where. However, Detroit and Chicago—both within striking distance of Michigan’s U.P.—were historically major industrial hubs. It’s plausible that Kier’s early industrial empire was rooted in this area.

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Final Thoughts

I believe Severance subtly places Kier, PE in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, with Marquette being the most likely location. The climate, geography, real-world historical parallels, and scattered in-universe clues all seem to point toward this conclusion.

Do you think this theory holds up? Have you spotted any other geographic clues that could confirm or refute this? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Special Thanks

A special thanks to my friend Mikhail, another Michigander, who helped point out the Edmund Fitzgerald and Drummond Island connections. Your insights added further evidence!

2025-02-26