VARIETY: Apple TV Plus has announced that the new dark comedy anthology series, “Roar,” will premiere all eight episodes April 15 on the streaming platform.
Based on a short story collection by Cecelia Ahern, the series tells futuristic and magical realism stories that mirror the common dilemmas of modern women in today’s world. The episodes will feature acclaimed actors including Nicole Kidman, Issa Rae, Merritt Wever, Cynthia Erivo, Alison Brie, Betty Gilpin, Meera Syal, Fivel Stewart and Kara Hayward.
“Roar” is created by Liz Flahive and Carly Mensch, who showrun and executive produce alongside Kidman and Per Saari via Blossom Films; Bruna Papandrea, Steve Hutensky and Allie Goss for Made Up Stories; Ahern through Greenlight Go; and Theresa Park for Per Capita Productions. The series is produced by Endeavor Content. Apple has also released first look images for the series: view below.
Also on today’s TV news roundup:
Dates
Apple TV Plus has announced the second season of “Dear…,” the nonfiction anthology series that features noted celebrities and icons reading letters from admirers and fans, will premiere March 4. The second season will feature episodes spotlighting Viola Davis, Malala Yousafzai, Jane Fonda, Ava DuVernay, Billy Porter, Sandra Oh, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Laird Hamilton and the recently passed André Leon Talley. The show is directed by documentary filmmaker R.J Cutler, who executive produces alongside Jane Cha Cutler, Todd Lubin, Jay Peterson, and Donny Jackson. Matador Content produces the series for Apple. Apple has also released a trailer for the upcoming season: view below.
Apple TV Plus has announced “They Call Me Magic,” a four-part documentary series profiling basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson, debuting April 22. The series features interviews with Magic, his family and his teammates, and traces his rise to basketball greatness and HIV advocates. Apple has also released a first look image for “They Call Me Magic:” view below.
Magic Johnson in “They Call Me Magic” Courtesy of Apple
Apple TV Plus has announced that “Shining Girls,” a new thriller series starring Elisabeth Moss, will premiere April 29. Based on Lauren Beukes novel of the same name, “Shining Girls” follows a Chicago newspaper archivist (Moss) who undergoes a traumatic assault and partners with a reporter (Wagner Moura) to uncover the identity of her attacker. Phillipa Soo, Amy Brenneman and Jamie Bell round out the ensemble cast. The show is adapted for television by Silka Luisa, who showruns and executive produces. Moss executive produces along with Lindsey McManus through Love and Squalor Pictures; Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Davisson and Michael Hampton executive produce through Appian Way; Michelle Maclaren directs and executive produces with Rebecca Hobbs for MacLaren Entertainment; Daina Reid directs and executive produces; and Beukes and Alan Page Arriaga executive produce. Apple also released a first-look teaser for the show: view below.
Trailers
Apple TV Plus has unveiled the official trailer for “The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey,” it’s new limited series starring Samuel L. Jackson. Based on the novel by Walter Mosley, who adapted his work for the screen, the six-episode series stars Jackson as Ptolemy Grey, a man suffering from dementia who is assigned to care for orphaned teen Robyn (Dominique Fishback). Cynthia Kaye McWilliams, Damon Gupton, Marsha Stephanie Blake, Walton Goggins and Omar Miller also star. Jackson and Mosley executive produce alongside Diane Houslin, LaTanya Richardson and Ramin Bahrani, Eli Selden and David Levine for Anonymous Content. The limited series premieres March 11
Casting
Alec Mapa (“Ugly Betty”) will guest star in an upcoming episode of “NCIS: Hawai’i” set to air Feb. 28. In the episode, Mapa will star as Ernie’s (Jason Antoon) friend, Dr. Tony Lee, to identify suspects who may have had access to his classified weapon. Meanwhile, the rest of the team looks into the case of Marines having damaged ear canals from ultrasonic waves. The episode will air on the CBS Television Network and be available for streaming on Paramount Plus.
Executives
Disney has promoted Alisa Bowen to the newly created role of EVP for business operations. Bowen was most recently SVP of business operations for Disney Streaming — where she worked to develop new streaming video content and overseeing operations. In the new role, Bowen will report to Michael Paull, who was recently named president of Disney Streaming.
Brat TV announced two executive hires — welcoming Rodney Vaccaro as head of development and Shannon Wachtell as head of talent. In their new roles, Vaccaro will lead development at Brat TV to bolster the network’s programming and Wachtell will oversee the company’s talent to support emerging creatives. Vaccaro previously produced multiple screenplays — including HBO’s “Night Of The Running Man” and Warner Brothers’ “Three To Tango.” Wachtell previously worked at The Digital Brand Architects, leading the agency’s TikTok operations.
Programming
The first season of “Fairwood,” a comedy series that will follow small-town entertainers Rusty and Clark Fairwood, is set to be available for streaming on Chicken Soup for The Soul Entertainment’s Crackle beginning in April — with a series preview on Feb. 4 at the 2022 Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival. Recording artists Steve Richard and Tim Mauldin (aka The Fairwood Brothers) created the series with writer/director Bud Schaetzle. Hailing from Richard’s Force MP Television and Schaetzle’s Metropolitan Sound + Vision, the six-episode season will also star Pam Tillis (“Nashville”), Robert Stoeckle (“The Americans”), Karen Sternberg (“I Only Miss You When I’m Breathing”), Jonothon Mitchell (“Hillbilly Elegy”) and more.
Late Night
Jennifer Lopez, Stephen Curry, Ayesha Curry and Maluma will appear on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” on Friday.