Numerous Apple TV+ shows were presented at the Television Critics Association winter 2023 press tour today. Included in the presentation were new trailers and first-look images.
The Apple TV+ shows previewed were Shrinking, Swagger Season 2, The Reluctant Traveler, Hello Tomorrow!, The Big Door Prize, Dear Edward, Schmigadoon Season 2, City on Fire, The Last Thing He Told Me, Extrapolations, and The After Party Season 2.
“Each year, we look forward to delivering even more compelling, premium stories from today’s most talented and masterful storytellers, and this year is no different,” said Matt Cherniss, head of domestic programming, Apple TV+.
“Whether it’s new seasons of culture-moving and award-winning shows, or new stories that have the power to captive global audiences and are rooted in humanity, there’s something for everyone to look forward to watching on Apple TV+.”
The news was revealed on the heels of Apple TV+ announcing that its comedy sensation Ted Lasso will return for its highly-anticipated third season this spring 2023, as well as sharing a first-look at what’s in-store for AFC Richmond.
Starting this week with the season three premiere of NAACP Image Award-winning anthology series Truth Be Told, and with more titles to be announced soon, highlights of new and returning series premiering to global audiences on Apple TV+ in the coming months include the following.
APPLE TV+ SHOWS AT TCA 2023
(The Apple TV+ shows were presented in the following order)
SHRINKING
Apple TV+ unveiled the trailer for Shrinking, the upcoming comedy starring Jason Segel, and written by Emmy Award-winning Ted Lasso executive producer Bill Lawrence, Emmy Award-winning Ted Lasso star, writer and co-executive producer Brett Goldstein and Segel.
Also starring Harrison Ford in one of his first major television roles, Shrinking will premiere globally with the first two episodes on Friday, January 27, on Apple TV+, followed by one new episode weekly, every Friday.
Shrinking follows a grieving therapist (played by Segel) who starts to break the rules and tell his clients exactly what he thinks. Ignoring his training and ethics, he finds himself making huge, tumultuous changes to people’s lives … including his own.
In addition to Segel and Ford, Shrinking stars Christa Miller, Jessica Williams, Michael Urie, Luke Tennie and Lukita Maxwell. The new series is produced by Warner Bros. Television, where Lawrence is under an overall deal, and Lawrence’s Doozer Productions.
Lawrence, Segel, Goldstein, Neil Goldman, James Ponsoldt, Randall Winston, Jeff Ingold and Liza Katzer serve as executive producers. Lawrence, Segel and Goldstein created the series and wrote the first episode, which was directed by Ponsoldt.
SWAGGER SEASON 2
Apple TV+ announced that Swagger, its acclaimed and emotional sports drama from creator, showrunner and director Reggie Rock Bythewood, is set to return for its second season in June of 2023, and unveiled a first look at the eight-episode, next chapter of the series, executive produced by Bythewood, Kevin Durant, Brian Grazer and Rich Kleiman.
Inspired by NBA superstar Kevin Durant’s experiences in youth basketball, Swagger explores the world of elite youth basketball clubs, the players, their families and coaches, and “the game within the game.” Off the court, the show reveals what it’s like to grow up in America.
Season two welcomes back returning stars O’Shea Jackson Jr., Isaiah Hill, Shinelle Azoroh, Academy Award nominee Quvenzhané Wallis, Caleel Harris, Tristan Mack Wilds, Tessa Ferrer, James Bingham, Solomon Irama, Ozie Nzeribe, Jason Rivera, Christina Jackson and Sean Baker, and adds newcomers Orlando Jones and Shannon Brown.
The series is produced for Apple TV+ by Imagine Television Studios, Boardroom, CBS Studios and Undisputed Cinema, and executive produced by Bythewood, Grazer, Durant and Kleiman. Francie Calfo and Joy Kecken also serve as executive producers. James Seidman serves as co-executive producer for Imagine Television Studios.
THE RELUCTANT TRAVELER
Apple TV+ debuted the trailer for The Reluctant Traveler, a new, eight-episode globe-trotting travel series hosted and executive produced by Emmy Award winner Eugene Levy (Schitt’s Creek) that is set to premiere around the world on Friday, February 24, 2023.
The Reluctant Traveler follows Levy as he visits some of the world’s most beautiful and intriguing destinations, experiencing thrilling local adventures with new friends, including immersing in a sound bath in the Maldives, ice floating in Finland, connecting with the Navajo Nation in Utah, captaining a sailboat in Lisbon, taking a bite out of the culinary culture of Tokyo, and journeying into the Costa Rican jungle.
Along the way, Levy also stays in remarkable hotels, including the historic Gritti Palace in Venice and a train hotel suspended above Kruger National Park in South Africa.
Self-confessedly not your typical travel show host — he’s not usually adventurous or well-versed in exploring the world, Levy agrees the time is finally right for him to broaden his horizons. Levy packs his suitcase with some trepidation but hopes his experiences might lead to a whole new chapter in life, even if it means confronting some of his long-held fears. Join him as he buckles up for the ultimate eye-opening adventure!
The Reluctant Traveler is produced for Apple TV+ by Twofour and is executive produced by Levy and David Brindley.
HELLO TOMORROW!
Apple TV+ unveiled the trailer for Hello Tomorrow!, the inspiring new Apple Original dramedy starring and executive produced by Emmy and Critics Choice Award winner Billy Crudup. The 10-episode, half-hour series is set to make its global debut on Friday, February 17, 2023 with the first three episodes, followed by one new episode weekly, every Friday through April 7, 2023.
Set in a retro-future world, Hello Tomorrow! centers around a group of traveling salesmen hawking lunar timeshares. Crudup stars as Jack, a salesman of great talent and ambition, whose unshakeable faith in a brighter tomorrow inspires his coworkers, revitalizes his desperate customers, but threatens to leave him dangerously lost in the very dream that sustains him.
The ensemble cast starring alongside Crudup includes Haneefah Wood, Alison Pill, Nicholas Podany, Dewshane Williams, Emmy Award winner Hank Azaria, Matthew Maher and Academy Award nominee Jacki Weaver.
Co-created by Amit Bhalla and Lucas Jansen, Hello Tomorrow! is produced by MRC Television. Stephen Falk, Jonathan Entwistle, Bhalla and Jansen serve as executive producers alongside Crudup. Blake Griffin, Ryan Kalil and Noah Weinstein serve as executive producers for Mortal Media.
THE BIG DOOR PRIZE
Apple TV+ today unveiled a first look at The Big Door Prize, the heartwarming and character-driven comedy created by Emmy Award winner David West Read (Schitt’s Creek), which is set to premiere globally spring 2023 on Apple TV+.
The new 10-episode, half-hour Apple Original comedy stars an ensemble cast led by Chris O’Dowd, Gabrielle Dennis, Ally Maki, Josh Segarra, Damon Gupton, Crystal Fox, Sammy Fourlas and Djouliet Amara.
Based on M.O. Walsh’s novel of the same name (buy at Amazon), The Big Door Prize tells the story of a small town that is forever changed when a mysterious machine appears in the general store, promising to reveal each resident’s true life potential.
The Big Door Prize is produced by Skydance Television and CJ ENM/Studio Dragon. Read serves as showrunner and executive producer. David Ellison and Dana Goldberg serve as executive producers for Skydance Television; Miky Lee, Young Kyu Kim and Hyun Park executive produce for CJ ENM/Studio Dragon; with Bill Bost and Sarah Walker.
DEAR EDWARD
Apple’s Dear Edward, the series written, showrun and executive produced by Jason Katims and based on Ann Napolitano’s bestselling and acclaimed novel (buy at Amazon) today unveiled its trailer at the 2023 Winter Television Critics Association press tour.
Starring an ensemble cast that includes Emmy Award nominee Connie Britton, SAG Award winner Taylor Schilling and newcomer Colin O’Brien, Dear Edward will make its global debut with the first three episodes of its 10-episode first season on Friday, February 3, 2023, followed by one new episode weekly every Friday through March 24, 2023.
Hailing from Apple Studios, Dear Edward is a heartbreaking, life-affirming and uplifting story about survival, resilience, connection and the examination of what makes us human.
Dear Edward tells the story of Edward Adler (played by O’Brien), a 12-year-old boy who survives a devastating commercial plane crash that kills every other passenger on the flight, including his family. As Edward and a diverse ensemble of others affected by the tragedy try to make sense of life after the crash, unexpected friendships, romances and communities are formed.
The series reunites Katims and Britton following their Emmy-winning collaboration on Friday Night Lights, who stars alongside Schilling, O’Brien, Amy Forsyth, Eva Ariel Binder, Brittany S. Hall, Idris Debrand, Carter Hudson, Maxwell Jenkins, Jenna Qureshi, Audrey Corsa, Anna Uzele, Ivan Shaw and Dario Ladani Sanchez.
Dear Edward is written by Katims, who serves as showrunner. He executive produces through True Jack Productions alongside Jeni Mulein. Book author Napolitano also serves as executive producer alongside Fisher Stevens, who is set to direct the first episode and serve as executive producer on the pilot.
SCHMIGADOON!
Apple TV+ showcased a first look at the second season of Schmigadoon!, the Emmy and AFI Award-winning, hit musical comedy series from co-creator Cinco Paul. Schmigadoon! will return for season two with all new original songs and guest stars on Friday, April 7, with the first two episodes of its six episode second season, followed by new episodes every Friday through May 5, 2023.
Having found true love in the town of Schmigadoon, season two of Schmigadoon! will find Josh (Keegan-Michael Key) and Melissa (Cecily Strong) in Schmicago, the reimagined world of ’60s and ’70s musicals.
The second season of Apple’s comedy will include new original musical numbers from co-creator and executive producer Cinco Paul, as well as returning stars Cecily Strong, Keegan-Michael Key, Ariana DeBose, Martin Short, Dove Cameron, Jaime Camil, Kristin Chenoweth, Alan Cumming, Ann Harada, Jane Krakowski, and Aaron Tveit are set to return, with Tituss Burgess and Patrick Page joining the cast for season two.
Schmigadoon! is co-created by Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio, and produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group and Broadway Video.
Paul serves as showrunner and wrote all of the original songs for the series. Lorne Michaels is executive producer. Andrew Singer executive produces on behalf of Broadway Video with Micah Frank as co-executive producer.
Following its global debut on Apple TV+, “Schmigadoon!” has earned global acclaim and accolades, including Emmy and AFI Award wins and a Critics Choice Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for star Kristin Chenoweth. Viewers can catch up on the complete first season of “Schmigadoon!,” now streaming on Apple TV+.
CITY ON FIRE
Apple TV+ revealed the premiere date and a first look at City on Fire, the upcoming, eight-episode Apple Original drama inspired by the acclaimed novel of the same name (buy at Amazon) by Garth Risk Hallberg, with all episodes written and executive produced by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage.
Starring an ensemble cast that includes Wyatt Oleff, Chase Sui Wonders, Jemima Kirke, Nico Tortorella, Ashley Zukerman, Xavier Clyde, Max Milner, Alexandra Doke, Omid Abtahi, Kathleen Munroe and John Cameron Mitchell, City on Fire will make its global debut with the first three episodes on Friday, May 12, with new episodes every Friday through June 16, 2023.
In City on Fire, an NYU student is shot in Central Park on the Fourth of July, 2003. Samantha is alone; there are no witnesses and very little physical evidence. Her friends’ band is playing at her favorite downtown club but she leaves to meet someone, promising to return. She never does.
As the crime against Samantha is investigated, she’s revealed to be the crucial connection between a series of mysterious citywide fires, the downtown music scene, and a wealthy uptown real estate family fraying under the strain of the many secrets they keep.
Chase Sui Wonders stars as Samantha, and Wyatt Oleff plays Charlie, a friend of Samantha’s who is struggling to cope with the death of his father on 9/11 two years earlier. After she is shot, he stops at nothing to unravel the mystery of what happened.
City on Fire is produced by Apple Studios for Apple TV+. Schwartz and Savage wrote all eight episodes and serve as showrunners and executive producers under Fake Empire. Jesse Peretz directs four episodes and serves as executive producer. Fake Empire’s Lis Rowinski serves as co-executive producer.
THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME
Apple TV+, The Last Thing He Told Me stars Jennifer Garner and Angourie Rice, co-creators Laura Dave and Josh Singer, and Hello Sunshine’s Lauren Neustadter today gave audiences their first look at the gripping new series based on the acclaimed, #1 New York Times bestselling novel (buy at Amazon) by Laura Dave.
Starring and executive produced by Jennifer Garner and produced by Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine, who optioned the book from author Dave, and 20th Television, The Last Thing He Told Me will debut globally with the first two episodes of the seven-part series on Friday, April 14 on Apple TV+, followed by new episodes every Friday through May 19, 2023.
Created and adapted by Laura Dave, alongside series co-creator and Academy Award winner Josh Singer (Spotlight, The Post), The Last Thing He Told Me stars an ensemble cast led by Garner, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Angourie Rice, Aisha Tyler, Augusto Aguilera, Geoff Stults and John Harlan Kim.
The series follows Hannah (played by Garner), a woman who must forge a relationship with her 16-year-old stepdaughter Bailey (played by Rice) in order to find the truth about why her husband has mysteriously disappeared.
The Last Thing He Told Me marks the first collaboration between the married Dave and Singer, who serve as executive producers alongside Garner and Hello Sunshine’s Reese Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter. The series is produced for Apple by Hello Sunshine, who optioned the book from author Laura Dave and serves as the studio on the project with 20th Television.
Olivia Newman (Where the Crawdads Sing) directs the pilot episode, and additional series episodes were directed by Newman, Deniz Gamze Ergüven, Daisy Von Scherler Mayer and Lila Neugebauer.
Published in hardcover by Simon & Schuster on May 4, 2021, the novel The Last Thing He Told Me became an instant #1 New York Times Bestseller and remained on the list for more than a year. It was the winner of the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Thriller/Suspense of 2021, an Amazon Best Book of the year in 2021, an Apple Best Book of the year in 2021; and, in 2022, The Last Thing He Told Me was one of the most popular books checked out at libraries across America as well as the #1 most popular e-book.
To date the book has sold more than 2 million copies in the United States alone and has been embraced in thirty-eight countries around the globe, including the UK, where it was a Richard and Judy bookclub pick. The paperback edition of The Last Thing He Told Me will be available on March 21, 2023.
EXTRAPOLATIONS
Apple TV+ and the cast and creative team behind Extrapolations shared a first look at the star-studded series from writer, director and executive producer Scott Z. Burns (Contagion, An Inconvenient Truth, The Report).
Told over a season of eight interconnected episodes and produced by Michael Ellenberg’s Media Res, Extrapolations will premiere with the first three episodes on Friday, March 17, followed by new episodes weekly, every Friday through April 21, 2023.
Extrapolations is a bracing drama that introduces a near future where the chaotic effects of climate change have become embedded into our everyday lives. Eight interwoven stories about love, work, faith and family from across the globe will explore the intimate, life-altering choices that must be made when the planet is changing faster than the population.
Every story is different, but the fight for our future is universal. And when the fate of humanity is up against a ticking clock, the battle between courage and complacency has never been more urgent. Are we brave enough to become the solution to our own undoing before it’s too late?
The series stars Meryl Streep, Sienna Miller, Kit Harington, Daveed Diggs, Edward Norton, Diane Lane, Tahar Rahim, Yara Shahidi, Matthew Rhys, Gemma Chan, David Schwimmer, Adarsh Gourav, Keri Russell, Marion Cotillard, and Forest Whitaker.
Also starring are Eiza González, Murray Bartlett, Indira Varma, Tobey Maguire, MaameYaa Boafo, Hari Nef, Heather Graham, Michael Gandolfini, Cherry Jones, Gaz Choudhry, Ben Harper, Judd Hirsch and Neska Rose.
Extrapolations is executive produced by Burns, Ellenberg, Gregory Jacobs, Dorothy Fortenberry and Media Res’ Lindsey Springer.
THE AFTERPARTY SEASON 2
Apple TV+ debuted a first look and unveiled the premiere date for the highly-anticipated second season of its acclaimed, hit, murder mystery comedy series The Afterparty.
From Academy Award winners Chris Miller and Phil Lord, the 10-episode second season of The Afterparty will make its global debut with the first two episodes on Friday, April 28, followed by one new episode premiering weekly every Friday, culminating in the season finale set for June 23, 2023.
Created by Miller, each episode of The Afterparty explores a different character’s account of one fateful evening, all told through the lens of popular film genres and unique visuals to match the storyteller’s perspective.
Starring Tiffany Haddish, Sam Richardson and Zoë Chao, season two will introduce new film genres and an expanded cast of characters played by Elizabeth Perkins, Zach Woods, Paul Walter Hauser, Poppy Liu, Anna Konkle, Jack Whitehall, Vivian Wu, John Cho and Ken Jeong.
In season two, a wedding is ruined when the groom is murdered and every guest is a suspect. Detective Danner (Haddish) returns to help Aniq (Richardson) and Zoë (Chao) solve whodunnit by questioning family members, star-crossed lovers and business partners, and hearing each suspect’s retelling of the weekend, each with their own unique perspective and visual style.
The Afterparty is produced for Apple by TriStar TV and Sony Pictures Television as part of Lord and Miller’s expansive five-year overall television deal. Season two is co-showrun by Miller and Tony and Emmy-nominated writer, producer and performer Anthony King, and both serve as executive producers.
Miller executive produces alongside Lord through the pair’s production banner, Lord Miller. Lord Miller’s SVP of Television Aubrey Lee is a producer on the series.
Mirko Parlevliet has been reporting on the entertainment industry since 1998 and founded Vital Thrills in 2018 to cover the latest news on streaming, movies, TV, and video games.