Fans of the Apple TV+ series Severance almost got a chance to see former president Barack Obama pop up on season 2 – but things didn’t go as expected. According to Ben Stiller – the executive producer behind the popular series – he did all he could to see Barack take on a role,

Barack Obama turned down Keanu Reeves' role in Severance. The former United States President, 63, was offered a role in the hit AppleTV+ psychological sci-fi thriller series by Ben Stiller — who serves as executive producer and director on the show — as the voice of an animated Lumon building in a film shown to staff in season two.

Ben Stiller said before they turned to Keanu Reeves he asked former President Barack Obama to voice a character in Severance's season two premiere.

Keanu Reeves has an uncredited voice role in “Severance,” narrating Lumon’s puppet propaganda video the innies watch in the first episode of Season 2. But the part was originally offered to someone else.

Ben Stiller revealed on Jimmy Kimmel Live yesterday (March 4) that he offered Obama an uncredited cameo — a voice-over role in the animated version of the Lumon administrative building — but that he politely declined the offer.

The former head of state said he was a "big fan" of the show but didn't have time to take the part, which ultimately went to Keanu Reeves.

Ben Stiller has revealed how Barack Obama responded after the actor and director offered the former president a role in his hit sci-fi series, Severance. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

(CNN) – The second season of Apple TV’s popular show “Severance” came close to having a presidential cameo. Ben Stiller, who is an executive producer and director on the show, revealed to Jimmy Kimmel that he asked former President Barack Obama to appear on the show. Stiller said the role would have been the voice of the Lumon building.

Severance season 2 almost included a role for the president. Ben Stiller revealed how he asked Barack Obama to voice a role in the Apple TV+ series.

There was one person that I asked before [Keanu Reeves], and he said no," Stiller said of originally asking the former president to voice the Lumon building.

Ben Stiller personally invited Barack Obama to voice a role in Severance Season 2, but he politely declined due to a busy schedule. Instead, Keanu Reeves took the role, delivering a warm but unsettling narration.