Apple Ties Up with Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Reveals New Series

Apple has signed an overall deal with multi-award-winning actress and producer Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Seinfeld, The New Adventures of Old Christine, Veep), in addition to revealing a slew of new highlights, including its first U.K. original.

Under the multiyear partnership, Louis-Dreyfus will develop new projects exclusively for Apple TV+ as both an executive producer and star. The deal marks her first-ever overall agreement with a streaming service. “I am thrilled about this new partnership with my friends at Apple,” said Louis-Dreyfus. “Also, many thanks and kudos to my representatives for structuring the deal in such a way that I am paid in AirPods.”

Also announced, Trying, Apple’s first original series from the U.K., is set to debut on Apple TV+ on May 1 around the world. The series, featuring eight half-hour episodes, hails from BBC Studios and is written by Andy Wolton.

Defending Jacob, a character-driven thriller based on the 2012 New York Times best-selling novel of the same name by William Landay, will premiere its first three episodes exclusively on Apple TV+ starting April 24. New episodes will premiere weekly thereafter every Friday. It stars Chris Evans, Michelle Dockery, Jaeden Martell, Cherry Jones, Pablo Schreiber, Betty Gabriel and Sakina Jaffrey.

Also revealed is Central Park, an animated musical comedy from Emmy Award winner Loren Bouchard (Bob’s Burgers), executive producer Josh Gad (Frozen) and executive producer Nora Smith (Bob’s Burgers). The series will premiere exclusively on Apple TV+ this summer.

Dear… is a new documentary series executive produced by Emmy and Peabody Award winner R.J. Cutler (The September Issue). Inspired by the “Dear Apple” spots, Dear… takes an inventive and cinematic approach to biographies of the most iconic figures in society today by using letters written by those whose lives have been changed through their work.

Meanwhile, Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet has been renewed for a second season ahead of its global premiere on February 7 on Apple TV+.  Home Before Dark, a dramatic mystery series inspired by the reporting of young investigative journalist Hilde Lysiak and directed and executive produced by Jon M. Chu, has also been renewed for a second season. The series will premiere its first three episodes Friday, April 3, exclusively on Apple TV+, and new episodes will premiere weekly thereafter every Friday.