In this week’s episode of ‘Bingeworthy,’ host Mike DeAngelo starts a revolution when diving into the world of “Silo,” the Apple TV+ dystopian thriller based on Hugh Howey’s bestselling novel, “Wool.” The series takes place in the not-too-distant future when humanity is clinging to life deep underground in a colossal silo, where secrets are as dangerous as the environment outside. The star-studded cast includes Rebecca Ferguson, Steve Zahn, Tim Robbins, Common, Harriet Walter, and more.
Joining the podcast this week are Graham Yost, the showrunner and producer for the series, and Steve Zahn, who joins the cast this season to bring Solo—a beloved character from the books—to life. During the chat, they share insights into the adaptation process, the incredible multi-level sets, and what makes this cast and story so special.
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Zahn is well known for his recent string of excellent television performances in series like “White Lotus,” “The Righteous Gemstones,” and “George and Tammy.” Unsurprisingly, he didn’t need much convincing to jump onto another outstanding series and step into Solo’s shoes. “I was sold when I saw the show,” Zahn said. “I saw the show before it came out. They sent me it, and they sent me season two and all the scripts. I read the scripts and met with Graham and Rebecca; the character alone was enough for me. I thought, ‘What an interesting guy to play!’ And then we went to see the show, and everybody was in the show. I don’t watch many shows, but I loved this one.”
When it came to preparing for the role, Zahn chose to avoid reading the books before filming, preferring to let his instincts guide him. “I’ll read the books after it’s all over,” he shared. “I didn’t want to know too much that might adjust how I perform. It’s more fun to be surprised when you read the next script and go, ‘Oh!’”
Interestingly, Zahn’s first day on set featured one of the heaviest scenes from Episode 9 (no spoilers—but trust us, it’s tragic and full of emotion). “That big, heavy scene was my first day on set,” Zahn recalled. “After that, we shot everything in order, starting with [Rebecca Ferguson] and me. It was cool because that rarely happens.”
The camaraderie with Ferguson was immediate, which is good because the two spend most of the season with only each other. “We had so much fun. She’s the warmest, most open-hearted person, and we work the same way. When the camera’s rolling, we’re in it, but as soon as it stops, we’re just screwing around and being stupid.”
Despite Solo’s emotionally charged storyline, Zahn emphasized the sheer joy he finds on set. “My favorite thing about this job is being part of the circus,” he said. “I like to have fun. Staying in character all the time would be exhausting and boring.”
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For Graham Yost, the allure of “Silo” was rooted in Hugh Howey’s intricate world-building and layered characters. While the show takes creative liberties, Yost stressed the importance of respecting the essence of the novels. “We’re doing it slightly differently, but I want to be the one that gets to reveal the answers,” Yost said. “There are significant changes, but the core feeling of a life lived in the silo remains.”
Yost described how the adaptation process expanded certain book elements to fit a 10-episode structure. “The first season turned one line from the book into a television season,” he revealed. “Season 2, which covers the second half of the first book, follows Juliet’s story fairly closely but with some big changes.”
One of the show’s standout features is its meticulously crafted sets, which include three complete levels of the silo. “When you walk onto those sets, it’s like, ‘Wow, this is awesome,’” Yost said.
However, casting Steve Zahn as Solo was a no-brainer for Yost and company. “We were sold on Steve before we even got on the Zoom with him,” Yost said. “He brings a raw vulnerability that’s perfect for Solo.” Yost also credited the hair and makeup team for adding subtle details, like Solo’s injured eye. “It added something right from the beginning. You look at Solo and know something’s off, and that’s up to the audience to figure out.”
While Yost is dedicated to following Howey’s storyline, he hinted at an intriguing twist at the end of Season 2. “We want to honor the books, but we’re also making a TV show that stands on its own,” Yost said.
Reflecting on his other projects, Yost shared some love for “Justified” and “Speed.” “I thought they did a really good job with “Justified: City Primeval,”” he said. “It’s not in Harlan, and Walton [Goggins] is only in one sequence, but they created one of the best Elmore Leonard bad guys. Boyd Holbrook pulled off this magic trick of being both awful enough that he had to die and so entertaining you almost wanted him to live.”
As for “Speed,” the hit 1994 action movie that featured Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock trying to Yost said, “The first one is a really good film. No false modesty—it works. But a lot of magic had to happen. From the availability of the 105 freeway to the casting, music, and Jan de Bont being the perfect director, everything came together. If Keanu [Reeves] and Sandra [Bullock] were interested, I’d give a shot at writing a third one.”
“Silo” is streaming exclusively on Apple TV+ – the finale airs this Friday, January 17th. Listen to the full interviews with Graham Yost and Steve Zahn on this week’s episode of Bingeworthy below.

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The Playlist Presents – Steve Zahn & Graham Yost’s Film/TV Recommendation Playlist
Steve Zahn’s Picks:

“The Sons of Sam: A Descent into Darkness” (2021)Graham Yost’s Picks:

“Hacks” (2021–)
“Slow Horses” (2022–)
“Shrinking” (2023–)
“Palm Springs” (2020)
“Galaxy Quest” (1999)