A gangster boss, betrayed by his own men, ends up in prison and plans his escape. He is played by an actor whom German television audiences knew for years as a grumpy doctor. Apple TV has released the first images and the release date for "The Wanted Man".
Apple TV will launch the crime series "The Wanted Man" worldwide on Wednesday, January 6, 2027, with two episodes. This was announced by Apple TV, which also released the first stills from the series.
Hugh Laurie stars in the lead role and is also an executive producer. The series was written by George Kay, who previously created the thriller "Hijack" for Apple TV. Following this season's 29 Emmys, the service is thus focusing on a British production with a prominent cast in the new year.
Key Facts at a Glance
- "The Wanted Man" will premiere on January 6, 2027 with two episodes on Apple TV.
- A new episode will then follow every Wednesday, with the finale airing on February 17, 2027.
- Hugh Laurie plays gangster boss Felix Carmichael, who wants to break out of prison.
- The showrunner is George Kay, the creator of "Hijack".
What "The Wanted Man" is about
Felix Carmichael is the head of a criminal organization until someone within his own ranks betrays him. He ends up in the notorious Staplehurst prison. To survive there, he must rediscover his own brutality.
His family, his organization, and his fortune are at stake. Carmichael therefore makes a decision considered impossible: he wants to escape.
Eight episodes until mid-February
The season comprises eight episodes. It starts on Wednesday, January 6, 2027, with a double episode, followed by a new episode every Wednesday until the finale on February 17, 2027.
Cast and team behind the series
Alongside Laurie, the cast includes Thandiwe Newton ("Westworld"), Fionn Whitehead ("Dunkirk"), Gina McKee, Hazel Doupe, Elliott Heffernan, and Stephen Dillane, whom many know as Stannis Baratheon from "Game of Thrones." The film is directed by Jakob Verbruggen, who has also directed "The Fall" and "London Spy."
The series is produced by New Pictures, a company in the Banijay group, in conjunction with Kay's own production company, Observatory Pictures. Kay is also known for "Lupin" and "War," in addition to "Hijack."
A familiar face for the German audience
Hugh Laurie is best known in Germany as "Dr. House." RTL broadcast the medical drama from 2006 to 2012, reaching over six million viewers at its peak. Later, he played an arms dealer in the spy series "The Night Manager" - a role more akin to the gangster boss in "The Wanted Man" than the doctor.
For Apple TV, this cast is a major draw, requiring no introduction in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Fans who enjoyed "Hijack" will also get the same writer – and after the double release, six weeks until the finale on February 17th.
How did you like Hugh Laurie as the villain in "The Night Manager" - and is that enough for you to tune in to "The Wanted Man" in January? Let us know in the comments if the series is on your list.
