Tech giant’s attempt to compete in SVOD space will launch in the fall

In recent weeks, Apple has been doling out trailers for the original series set to launch with its streaming service, Apple TV+, this fall. The forthcoming platform is the tech giant’s attempt to compete with the likes of Netflix and Amazon in the streaming TV space, with a wide-ranging slate of programs from star players like Steven Spielberg, Octavia Spencer, Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon. Though Apple has not given a price or launch date for Apple TV+, fall is creeping closer and closer. With that in mind, TheWrap has rounded up all the shows that have been set for the streaming service so far, or are currently in development.

“The Morning Show” Taking an inside look at the dark side of morning TV, Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston executive produce and star in the drama series. Witherspoon comes to this off her hit HBO drama “Big Little Lies” and Aniston returns to TV in a major role for the first time since her hit sitcom “Friends” went off the air. Steve Carell will also star on the series from Kerry Ehrin.

“Dickinson” This coming-of-age comedy series will star Hailee Steinfeld as Emily Dickinson, exploring the constraints of society, gender, and family that she experienced as a budding writer. The show is written by Alena Smith and directed by David Gordon Green.

“For All Mankind” “Outlander” and “Battlestar Galactica” showrunner Ronald D. Moore created and will write and produce the science fiction drama, premised on the idea that the Space Race of the Cold War never ended. He co-created the series with “Fargo” executive producers Matt Wolpert and Ben Nedivi.

“Amazing Stories” Steven Spielberg will executive produce the revival of “Amazing Stories,” the science fiction and horror anthology he co-created for NBC that ran for two seasons in the 1980s. After some behind-the-scenes shakeups, including the departure of original showrunner Bryan Fuller, “Once Upon a Time” creators Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz signed on to run the reboot.

“Calls” The new, short-form English adaptation of creator Timothée Hochet’s French series will take on an innovative form of storytelling, utilizing real-life audio sources and minimal visuals.

“Truth Be Told” Based on Kathleen Barber’s novel of the same name, the series centers on investigative reporter Poppy Parnell (Octavia Spencer) as she follows an old murder case through her podcast, and will explore America’s obsession with true-crime podcasts. Aaron Paul, Lizzy Caplan, Elizabeth Perkins and Mekhi Phifer also star, with Reese Witherspoon executive producing. Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping and Kristen Campo from Chernin Entertainment are also set to serve as executive producers. 

“Defending Jacob” Described as a gripping, character-driven thriller based on the 2012 novel by William Landay, “Defending Jacob” stars Chris Evans, with “Planet of the Apes” screenwriter Mark Bomback to serve as showrunner.

“Home Before Dark” The mystery series follows a girl who moves from Brooklyn to a small lakeside town, and subsequently uncovers a cold case that residents attempted to bury. The project was inspired by the real-life story of Hilde Lysiak, a young investigative reporter who exposed a murder in her hometown of Selinsgrove, PA, garnering national and international attention. Brooklynn Prince and Jim Sturgess will star.

“My Glory Was I Had Such Friends” Jennifer Garner is set to star in the J.J. Abrams-produced series based on Amy Silverstein’s 2017 memoir about an extraordinary group of women who supported Silverstein as she waited for a second life-saving heart transplant.

“Helpsters” The first series set up as part of Sesame Workshop’s partnership with Apple, the show will aim to teach kids coding with the help of a Muppet named Cody.

“Pachinko” An eight-episode adaptation of the 2017 bestseller by Min Jin Lee, Apple’s “epic in scope” adaptation of “Pachinko” will be set in Korea, Japan and America. “The Terror” alum Soo Hugh will serve as showrunner.

“Servant” “Sixth Sense” and “Glass” director M. Night Shyamalan will executive produce this psychological thriller, with Tony Basgallop writing. Lauren Ambrose and Rupert Grint star as a young couple who hire a nanny (Nell Tiger Free) to care for their newborn.

“Foundation” The in-development sci-fi drama is based on Isaac Asimov’s novel series of the same name, which tracks the future history of the human race during and after the decline and fall of a galaxy-spanning empire. David S. Goyer and Josh Friedman will serve as showrunners and executive producers if the project gets picked up to series.

“Central Park” Josh Gad and Loren Bouchard are set to produce this animated musical series about a family of caretakers who live and work in — and end up saving — Central Park. The voice cast includes Gad, “Frozen” star Kristen Bell, and “Hamilton’s” Daveed Diggs and Leslie Odom Jr.

“Home” The 10-episode docuseries centers on innovative homes around the world as well as the people who built them. Matt Tyrnauer directs and serves as one of the executive producers.

“Little America”  This show tells the stories of immigrants in America, drawing from true stories featured in Epic Magazine. The show will be written and executive produced by Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon, the husband-and-wife team behind the hit romantic comedy “The Big Sick,” which hit theaters in the summer of 2017 to critical and commercial success.

“Little Voice” The dramedy featuring original music from Sara Bareilles focuses on finding your authentic voice in your early 20s and is inspired by the diverse musicality of New York. It is produced by J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television.

“Mythic Quest” Co-created by “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” duo Rob McElhenney and Charlie Day will star McElhenney as the head of a video game development studio. F. Murray Abraham, Imani Hakim, David Hornsby and Danny Pudi also star.

“See” Francis Lawrence, best-known for directing “Red Sparrow” and the final three “Hunger Games” films, will direct and produce this drama written by Steven Knight and starring Jason Momoa and Alfre Woodard. The sci-fi series is set in a future where humans are born blind.

“Shantaram” An international drama series based on Gregory David Roberts’ novel, “Shantaram” follows the story of Lin, a man who has escaped an Australian prison and carves out a new life in Bombay. The series is written and executive produced by Eric Warren Singer. 

“Swagger” Inspired by NBA star Kevin Durant’s youth basketball experiences, the drama series will shine a light on the world of Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball as well as the lives of the families and coaches involved. Durant will serve as an executive producer on the project, alongside Brian Grazer, Francie Calfo and Rich Kleiman.

Untitled Brie Larson project Based on the memoir by Amaryllis Fox titled “Life Undercover,” the untitled series will star Brie Larson as a young woman recruited to join the CIA. “Animal Kingdom” writer and executive producer Megan Martin is in talks to write and executive produce the series from Medias Res.

Untitled Curtis Sittenfeld project Inspired by Curtis Sittenfeld’s short story collection “You Think It, I’ll Say It.” Colleen McGuinness serves as showrunner, while Reese Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter serve as executive producers. “Saturday Night Live” alum Kristen Wiig was originally attached to star but dropped out due to scheduling conflicts.

Untitled Damien Chazelle project Damien Chazelle, who became the youngest person ever to nab the Academy Award for Best Director when he won for “La La Land,” will write, direct, and produce a one-hour drama for Apple, alongside executive producers Jordan Horowitz and Frank Berger.

“Peanuts” series Apple has partnered with DHX Media to create new content featuring the Peanuts gang.

“Time Bandits” Taika Waititi is developing an adaptation of Terry Gilliam’s 1981 film, “Time Bandits” for Apple. Waititi will co-write and direct the pilot for the potential series, which is being co-produced by Anonymous Content, Paramount Television and MRC. He also will serve as executive producer alongside Gilliam and producer Dan Halsted.

Oprah Winfrey docuseries As part of Oprah’s multi-year content deal with Apple, she has revealed she’s working on a documentary called “Toxic Labor” and a multi-part untitled series about mental health. She also is also bringing back her book club as some sort of interview show. 

“Mr. Corman” Joseph Gordon-Levitt is set to write, direct, executive produce and star on “Mr. Corman,” a dramedy series in development at Apple TV+. The show, which hails from A24 and Gordon-Levitt’s HitRECord banner, follows the life of a public schoolteacher (Gordon-Levitt) in California’s San Fernando Valley.
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