Apple TV+’s upcoming series Sugar promises a contemporary take on the private detective story. Premiering April 5, the eight-episode season follows the enigmatic private investigator John Sugar, played by Colin Farrell, as he navigates the streets of Los Angeles in search of Olivia Siegel, the missing granddaughter of renowned Hollywood producer Jonathan Siegel.
The show’s creator, Mark Protosevich, describes it as a ‘genre-bending’ contemporary take on one of literature’s most popular genres. Academy Award-nominated director Fernando Meirelles, who also executive produces the series alongside Farrell, hints at a splashy and unconventional aesthetic for the show, which will feed off the rich legacy of Hollywood’s criminal underbelly stories. Meirelles directed the series between May and November 2022, working closely with Farrell to develop his character.
Farrell’s John Sugar drives around LA with a dog in the passenger seat, investigating the Siegel family as he seeks out the missing Olivia. The case becomes entangled with both recent and long-buried family secrets, and Sugar is seen struggling with personal demons amidst the mystery. The trailer hints at a gripping narrative, full of suspense and a mysterious affliction that Sugar appears to be contending with.
An impressive roster of talent joins Farrell on screen. The series features Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Amy Ryan, James Cromwell, Anna Gunn, Dennis Boutsikaris, Nate Corddry, Sydney Chandler, Alex Hernandez, Miguel Sandoval, Elizabeth Anweis, and Jason Butler Harner, among others.
Behind the camera, Audrey Chon and Simon Kinberg executive produce for Genre Films, following their work on Apple TV+ series Invasion. Also executive producing are Sam Catlin, Scott Greenberg, Chip Vucelich, and Adam Arkin, who directed alongside Meirelles. Protosevich is the sole screenwriter.
The first two episodes of Sugar premiere April 5, 2024 on Apple TV+, followed by a new episode every Friday.