Apple TV+ Commissions The Wanted Man Starring Hugh Laurie

Apple doubles down on British‑made thrillers

Apple TV+ has ordered an eight‑episode crime drama, The Wanted Man, fronted by Hugh Laurie and created by Hijack show‑runner George Kay. Announced today, 7 May 2025, the series bolsters Apple’s growing portfolio of UK‑centric thrillers aimed at viewers who enjoyed Hijack and Slow Horses.

An ensemble led by household names

Laurie headlines as Felix Carmichael, with an impressive supporting cast that includes Thandiwe Newton, Fionn Whitehead, Gina McKee, Hazel Doupe, Elliott Heffernan and Stephen Dillane. Apple is clearly leaning on award‑winning, recognisable talent to give the show immediate international appeal while preserving a distinctly British flavour.

Plot: betrayal behind prison walls

Carmichael is the inscrutable head of crime syndicate “The Capital”, finally arrested after two decades above the law. While held in Staplehurst Prison, he discovers a traitor in his ranks and attempts a daring escape to reclaim his empire—risking freedom for vengeance and, once again, becoming “a wanted man”. The premise promises a mix of tense prison drama and high‑stakes man‑hunt that should resonate with fans of prestige thrillers like Lupin or Bodyguard.

Creative pedigree

Kay serves as creator, writer and executive producer alongside Willow Grylls and Matt Sandford, with Emmy‑nominated director Jakob Verbruggen (The Fall, London Spy) helming the series. The project is co‑produced by New Pictures (an All3Media company) and Kay’s own Observatory Pictures—continuing Apple’s strategy of partnering with experienced UK indies for local authenticity.

Strategic context for Apple TV+

The Wanted Man joins a slate that already features Idris Elba’s real‑time thriller Hijack and Gary Oldman’s darkly comic Slow Horses. Each delivers British settings with global stakes—a formula that has earned Apple critical praise and award nominations. Investing in another high‑profile UK drama signals Cupertino’s intention to keep the momentum going, especially as rival streamers ramp up their own international productions.

When and where to watch

Apple has not yet revealed a premiere date, but the show will stream exclusively on Apple TV+ (£8.99 per month, with three months free for qualifying device purchases). The service is available in over 100 regions on more than a billion screens—meaning The Wanted Man should launch worldwide on day one.

Closing thoughts

Apple’s decision to give Hugh Laurie centre stage in a home‑grown, big‑budget thriller feels like a statement of intent: doubling down on British storytelling that travels well. If the series can balance character depth with the kinetic pacing Apple now favours, it could become the service’s next word‑of‑mouth hit. The real question is scheduling—will Apple stagger its UK dramas or cluster them for impact? Either way, The Wanted Man looks set to keep Apple TV+ firmly in the chase.

Source: Apple TV+ Press