Fortunately for streamers, Apple TV+ won’t break the bank. A subscription will cost $5 per month, and 7-day free trials are available. So, what’s all the fuss about, and how will Apple make a big statement with their original programming?
It’s all about big stars and unique creative approaches. It’s been reported that Apple will spend several billion dollars on original content over the next few years, and their launch slate reflects a commitment to high quality series that will keep people engaged and streaming. Here’s the complete lineup for Apple TV+ original series, along with some additional titles on the horizon.
The Morning Show
Co-produced by Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon, The Morning Show explores the power dynamics of a successful American news program. Aniston and Witherspoon star as Alex Levy and Bradley Jackson, respectively - two competing reporters with different motivations for climbing the corporate ladder. Steve Carell co-stars as Mitch Kessler, Levy’s disgraced partner who exits the morning show due to a sexual misconduct scandal. In supporting roles, The Morning Show features Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Black Mirror “San Junipero,” The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance), Mark Duplass (Goliath, Big Mouth), Billy Crudup (Justice League, Alien: Covenant), and Néstor Carbonell (The Dark Knight, Bates Motel).
See
Written by Steven Knight, See explores a future society where humans have gone blind. Jason Momoa stars as warrior Baba Ross, the father of twins who curiously have the ability to see. The series is helmed by Francis Lawrence, who famously directed Jennifer Lawrence in three Hunger Games films and Red Sparrow. See’s screenwriter, Wright, created the popular series Peaky Blinders and Taboo. He’s also written films such as Eastern Promises, Locke, and The Girl in the Spider’s Web. See co-stars Alfre Woodard (Luke Cage, The Lion King), Sylvia Hoeks (Blade Runner 2049, The Girl in the Spider’s Web), and Hera Hilmar (Mortal Engines, The Romanoffs).
Dickinson
Hailee Steinfeld stars as the famous American writer Emily Dickinson. The Apple TV+ series will tell a coming-of-age story, exploring the outcast nature of Dickinson while growing up in pre-Civil War Massachusetts. Dickinson was written Alena Smith and co-produced by David Gordon Green, the filmmaker behind Blumhouse’s Halloween series. Toby Huss (Halt and Catch Fire) co-stars as Edward Dickson, and Jane Krakowski (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) portrays the subject’s mother. Dickinson includes Anna Baryshnikov (Manchester by the Sea) and Ella Hunt (Lore) in supporting roles.
For All Mankind
Starring Joel Kinnaman as Edward Baldwin, For All Mankind imagines what might’ve happened if the global space race continued beyond the initial moon landings. The Apple TV+ series was co-created by Ronald D. Moore, who previously wrote for Battlestar Galactica, Outlander, Roswell, and Star Trek: The Next Generation. He also wrote the films Star Trek Generations, Star Trek: First Contact, and Mission: Impossible 2 (story). Jeff Branson (Supergirl) will portray American astronaut Neil Armstrong in For All Mankind. Shantel VanSanten (The Flash) co-stars as Edward Baldwin’s wife, Karen. For All Mankind also features Michael Dorman (Patriot), Wrenn Schmidt (Outcast), Sarah Jones (Alcatraz), and Jodi Balfour (True Detective).
Helpsters
Little has been revealed about Helpsters, a Sesame Street production, aside from the fact that a new muppet named Cody will educate children about computer coding. Stephanie D’Abruzzo served as Cody’s puppeteer during the initial Apple TV+ presentation in March 2019.
Snoopy In Space
Produced by DHX Media, Snoopy In Space is a new Apple TV+ series about Charles Schulz’s famous Peanuts character. The storyline reportedly follows the beagle’s “elite mission” to space with pal Woodstock, this coming after they’re chosen by NASA during a field trip. The official Snoopy In Space trailer, released to align with the 50th anniversary Apollo 11 moon landing, shows the canine dreaming about the great unknown, shortly before falling back to earth - both literally and figuratively. A graphic reveals that “It’s a Dog’s Turn,” while Charlie muses about not having a “normal dog.”
Ghostwriter
Based on the original PBS ‘90s series of the same name, the Ghostwriter reboot follows Brooklyn children detectives who team up with a helpful spirit to solve crimes. Apple’s official logline states that the main characters are “brought together by a mysterious ghost in a neighborhood bookstore, and must team up to release fictional characters from works of literature.” In the Ghostwriter trailer, Alice in Wonderland’s White Rabbit roams a school hallway and asks students for the time. According to Apple, the central ghost unleashes famous literary characters into the world. So, Ghostwriter will undoubtedly be a unique educational tool for Apple TV+ subscribers.
Oprah’s Book Club
Apple TV+ will adapt The Oprah Winfrey Show’s famous book club segment into a Q&A series. American talk show host Oprah Winfrey unveiled her first selection back in 1996, which preceded a decade of literary suggestions. Winfrey resumed the series in 2012. For Oprah’s Book Club on Apple TV+, the episodes will feature “compelling authors in conversation as Oprah builds a vibrant, global book club community and other projects to connect with people around the world and share meaningful ways to create positive change.”
Truth Be Told (December 2019)
A legal drama, Truth Be Told is based on Kathleen Barber’s 2017 novel Are You Sleeping. The Apple TV+ series stars Octavia Spencer as reporter Poppy Parnell, while Lizzy Caplan has dual roles as twin sisters Josie and Lanie Burhman. Aaron Paul portrays the villain Warren Cave, who allegedly murdered the Burhman twins’ father. Spencer and Reese Witherspoon serve as executive producers for Truth Be Told. Elizabeth Perkins (Weeds), Michael Beach (Aquaman), and Mekhi Phifer (The Divergent trilogy) are part of the main cast.
Servant (December 2019)
Co-produced by M. Night Shyamalan, Servant is a psychological thriller about a mysterious newborn. Toby Kebbell and Lauren Ambrose star as the central parents, Sean and Dorothy Turner, who hire a nanny, Leanne Grayson, portrayed by Nell Tiger Free. Servant was filmed by cinematographer Mike Giolakis, who previously worked on movies such as It Follows, Split, Under the Silver Lake, Glass, and Us. In a supporting role, Servant features Harry Potter actor Rupert Grint.
Every Future Apple TV+ Series (Dates TBA)
Amazing Stories: An anthology series created by Steven Spielberg, based on the 1985 NBC series of the same name.
Calls: A short story thriller production based on Timothée Hochet’s original French series.
Central Park: A musical comedy series, set in New York City, featuring Josh Gad, Leslie Odom Jr., and Kathryn Hahn.
Defending Jacob: A drama series starring Chris Evans, whose character has a son accused of murder.
Foundation: A science fiction series based on Isaac Asimov’s book series of the same name.
Home: Directed by Matt Tyrnauer, a docuseries about innovative homes.
Home Before Dark: A mystery series based on the experiences of pre-teen journalist Hilde Lysiak.
Lisey’s Story: A miniseries starring Julianne Moore, based on Stephen King’s 2006 novel of the same name.
Little America: Co-produced by Kumail Nanjiani and Alan Yang, a comedy anthology series about American immigrants.
Little Voice: Produced by J.J. Abrams and Sara Bareilles, a romantic comedy series about 20-somethings.
The Mosquito Coast: A drama series based on Paul Theroux’s 1981 novel.
My Glory Was I Had Such Friends: A drama series about female friends, starring Jennifer Garner and produced by J.J. Abrams.
Mythic Quest: Starring Rob McElhenney, a comedy series set in a video game studio.
Pachinko: A series based on Korean-American author Min Jin Lee’s 2017 novel.
Prehistoric Planet: A docuseries by BBC Natural History Unit.
Shantaram: A drama series based on Gregory David Roberts’s 2003 novel of the same name.
Swagger: Co-produced by Brian Grazer and NBA star Kevin Durant, a sports series about AAU basketball.
Untitled Brie Larson Series: A CIA-themed series starring Brie Larson.
Untitled Damien Chazelle Series: A new drama series
Untitled Oprah Winfrey/Prince Harry Docuseries: A series about mental health.
Untitled Simon Kinberg/David Weil Series: A science fiction series.
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