Apple TV+ Highlights February 2023
The first three episodes of Dear Edward, starring Connie Britton, Taylor Schilling, and Colin O’Brien, and created by Emmy Award winner Jason Katims, premiere around the world on Apple TV+ this February.
This month also sees the release of the second season of “Pinecone & Pony,” an original Apple cartoon from DreamWorks Animation aimed at children and their families. Plus The Reluctant Traveller and thriller series Liason.
“Dear Edward” – global premiere
Written and executive produced by Emmy winner Jason Katims, “Dear Edward” is an adaptation of Ann Napolitano’s best-selling, critically acclaimed novel that is at once tragic and uplifting in its focus on survival, resilience, connection, and the investigation of what makes us human.
Apple Studios’ “Dear Edward,” starring Emmy contender Connie Britton and SAG Award winner Taylor Schilling, depicts the story of 12-year-old Edward Adler (Colin O’Brien), who is the only survivor of a commercial plane disaster that kills everyone on board except for him.
As Edward and others all over the world are affected by the tragedy try to make sense of life after the crash, unexpected friendships, romances and communities are formed. The series also stars Amy Forsyth, Anna Uzele, Audrey Corsa, Brittany S. Hall, Carter Hudson, Dario Ladani Sanchez, Douglas M. Griffin, Eva Ariel Binder, Idris DeBrand, Ivan Shaw, Jenna Qureshi, Khloe Bruno and Maxwell Jenkins.
The first three episodes of “Dear Edward” will premiere throughout the world on Friday, 3 February.
“Shrinking” – new episode
Hailing from Jason Segel, Emmy Award winning “Ted Lasso” co-creator Bill Lawrence and Emmy Award-winning “Ted Lasso” star, writer and co-executive producer Brett Goldstein and Segel, “Shrinking” is the new 10-episode comedy starring starring Segel and Harrison Ford in one of his first major television roles.
“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.
In this week’s new episode, “Fifteen Minutes,” Jimmy witnesses Gaby in a compromising situation. Paul advises Alice on how to deal with her grief while facing a loss of his own.
The third episode of “Shrinking” premieres Friday, 3 February on Apple TV+.
“Truth Be Told” season three – new episode
From acclaimed writer and executive producer Nichelle Tramble Spellman, “Truth Be Told” is an NAACP Image Award-winning series that provides a unique glimpse into America’s obsession with true crime podcasts. The 10-episode third season will star Octavia Spencer alongside new addition, award-winning actress Gabrielle Union, and sees Spencer reprise her role as investigative reporter turned true crime podcaster (Poppy Scoville), to take on a new case.
In season three, Poppy (Spencer), frustrated by the lack of media attention for several young missing Black girls, teams with an unorthodox principal (Union) to keep the victims’ names in the public eye while chasing down leads to a suspected sex trafficking ring that may have ensnared them. In addition to Union, returning cast members include series regulars Mekhi Phifer, David Lyons, Ron Cephas Jones, Merle Dandridge, Tracie Thoms, Haneefah Wood, Mychala Faith Lee and Tami Roman.
In this week’s new episode, “Here She Shall See No Enemy,” Markus tries getting to the bottom of a shocking discovery. Eva makes a startling confession to Poppy.
The third episode of “Truth Be Told” season three premieres today, Friday, 3 February on Apple TV+
“Servant” final season – new episode
“Servant” – from M. Night Shyamalan – follows a Philadelphia couple in mourning after an unspeakable tragedy creates a rift in their marriage and opens the door for a mysterious force to enter their home.
Following its suspenseful season three finale, season four brings the final chapter of the Turner story to an epic and emotional conclusion. Leanne’s war with the Church of Lesser Saints heightens, threatening Spruce street, the city of Philadelphia and beyond. Meanwhile, the shattered Turner family must not only confront the increasing threat of Leanne, but the certain reality that Dorothy is waking up. As the Turner family brownstone continues to crumble, questions are finally answered: who is Leanne Grayson and who is the child in their home.
“Servant” stars Lauren Ambrose, Toby Kebbell, Nell Tiger Free and Rupert Grint. The series is created by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts nominated executive producer and writer Tony Basgallop. In addition to executive producers M. Night Shyamalan and Tony Basgallop, “Servant” is executive produced by Ashwin Rajan, Jason Blumenthal, Todd Black and Steve Tisch. Taylor Latham and Patrick Markey serve as co-executive producers.
In this week’s new episode, “Boo,” Sean sees Leanne’s true colours while she hunts her enemies on Halloween.
The fourth episode of “Servant” season four airs Friday, 3 February on Apple TV+.
“Pinecone & Pony” – season two premiere
Based on the book “The Princess and the Pony” by New York Times bestselling author Kate Beaton and hailing from DreamWorks Animation, season two of “Pinecone & Pony” is an eight-episode animated comedy for kids and families about a young warrior-in-training, Pinecone, and her best friend Pony, whose adventures together teach them how to be brave in the face of adversity, to speak truth to power and what it truly means to be a hero.
“Pinecone & Pony” is produced by DreamWorks Animation along with First Generation Films and Atomic Cartoons, and executive produced by showrunner Stephanie Kaliner. Kate Beaton, Christina Piovesan and Mackenzie Lush are executive producers. The series features the voice talents of Maria Nash, Alicia Richardson, Andy Hull, Rachel House, Thom Allison, Chase W. Dillon and Viola Abley.
Season two of “Pinecone & Pony” makes its global premiere Friday, 3 February on Apple TV+.
“Sharper” – new Apple Original Film
Hailing from Apple Original Films and A24, and starring starring Academy Award-winner Julianne Moore, “Sharper” unfolds within the secrets of New York City, from the penthouses of Fifth Avenue to the shadowy corners of Queens. Motivations are suspect and expectations are turned upside down when nothing is as it seems.
“Sharper” is directed by Benjamin Caron and features a star-studded ensemble cast led by Moore, Sebastian Stan, Justice Smith, newcomer Briana Middleton and John Lithgow. The film is produced by Jessica Switch and Erik Feig of Picturestart along with Julianne Moore, Bart Freundlich, Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka, and written by Gatewood and Tanaka. Julia Hammer and Amy Herman serve as executive producers.
“Sharper” premieres globally on Apple TV+ on Friday, 17 February.
“Hello Tomorrow”
Starring and executive produced by Emmy and Critics Choice Award winner Billy Crudup (“Morning Wars”), “Hello Tomorrow!” Is a new 10-episode, half-hour dramedy set in a retro-future world that centres around a group of travelling salesmen hawking lunar timeshares. Crudup stars as Jack, a salesman of great talent and ambition, whose unshakable faith in a brighter tomorrow inspires his coworkers, revitalises 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 (“Truth Be Told,” “One Day at a Time”), Alison Pill (“Them,” “The Newsroom”), Nicholas Podany (“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child”), Dewshane Williams (“The Umbrella Academy,” “In the Dark”), Emmy Award winner Hank Azaria (“Brockmire,” “Ray Donovan”), Matthew Maher (“Our Flag Means Death”), and Academy Award nominee Jacki Weaver (“Silver Linings Playbook,” “Animal Kingdom”).
The first three episodes of “Hello Tomorrow” will premiere on Apple TV+ on Friday, 17 February, followed by a new episode every Friday until Friday, 7 April.
“Make or Break” – new season
With behind-the-scenes access to the world’s best surfers as they battle for the top title at the World Surf League Championship Tour, “Make or Break” returns to the world of professional surfing for season two — offering an intimate deep dive into the aspirations, challenges, accomplishments and personal lives of the surfers who compete to remain on the elite Men’s and Women’s World Surf League Championship Tour.
This season will take viewers on location for the 2022 competition season to stunning surf locations across the globe, capturing the highs and lows of the “Dream Tour,” including the first-ever mid-season cut, international rivalries and record-breaking upsets.
On February 17th, four new episodes of the second season will premiere, and on February 24th, four more episodes will drop.
“The Reluctant Traveller”
“The Reluctant Traveller” is a new eight-episode globe-trotting travel series hosted and executive produced by Emmy Award winner Eugene Levy (“Schitt’s Creek”) that follows Levy as he visits some of the world’s most beautiful and intriguing destinations in Costa Rica, Finland, Italy, Japan, Maldives, Portugal, South Africa and the United States, exploring remarkable hotels and the places and cultures surrounding them.
Self-confessedly not your typical travel show host — he’s not usually adventurous or well-versed in globe-trotting, 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 Traveller” is produced by Twofour. In addition to starring, Levy executive produces alongside David Brindley.
All eight episodes of “The Reluctant Traveller” will premiere globally on Friday, 24 February.
“Liaison”
“Liaison” is a new new, six episode thriller series starring César Award winner Vincent Cassel (“Black Swan,” “Westworld”) and BAFTA Award winner Eva Green (“Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children”), and the first French and English-language Apple Original series. The high-stakes, contemporary thriller explores how the mistakes of our past have the potential to destroy our future, combining action with an unpredictable, multilayered plot where espionage and political intrigue play out against a story of passionate and enduring love.
“Liaison” is created and written by Virginie Brac (“Engrenages”), and is directed by Emmy Award winner Stephen Hopkins (“24”). The series is co-produced by Newen Studio-backed companies Ringside Studios and Leonis Productions, and executive produced by Gub Neal (“The Fall”), Jean-Benoît Gillig (“L’Emprise”), Vincent Cassel, Sarada McDermott (“Bridgerton”), Stephen Hopkins, Justin Thomson and Edward Barlow.
You can watch the world premiere of “Liaison” on Friday, February 24th, followed by a brand-new episode every Friday until March 31st.
“Pretzel and the Puppies” – season two
Meet Pretzel, the world’s longest dachshund and a playful, supportive dad to five frisky puppies. Together with his wife, Greta, they encourage their pups to get their paws up to solve problems and “make their bark” on the world. The series stars the voice talents of Emmy nominee Mark Duplass, Nasim Pedrad and newcomers Milo Stein, Alex Jayne Go, Max Mitchell, Amari McCoy and Gracen Newton.
“Pretzel and the Puppies” hails from HarperCollins Productions, part of HarperCollins Publishers and is executive produced by showrunner Steve Altiere, Caroline Fraser, Head of HarperCollins Productions, and Ricardo Curtis and Wes Lui from House of Cool. Jennifer Contrucci of HarperCollins Productions serves as co-executive producer. Dr. Tony Wagner, senior research fellow, Learning Policy Institute, and author of the book “Creating Innovators: The Making of Young People Who Will Change the World,” serves as the play, passion, purpose expert through the Apple TV+ Changemakers initiative.
Season two premieres globally on Apple TV+ on Friday, 24 February.
“Extrapolations”
“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 star-studded series from writer, director and executive producer Scott Z. Burns, and produced by Michael Ellenberg’s Media Res, 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, Forest Whitaker, 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.
The first three episodes of “Extrapolations” will broadcast on Friday, 17 March, with subsequent episodes airing every Friday through Friday, 21 April.