Apple TV has revealed the first look at The Wanted Man, its new eight-part crime drama starring Hugh Laurie as an organised crime boss who finds himself behind bars after being betrayed by someone inside his own firm. Laurie stars as Felix Carmichael, who is sent to the notorious Staplehurst prison and forced to fight for survival while everything he has built outside begins slipping away. With his family, business and fortune under threat, Felix decides there is only one way forward: escape.
When Does The Wanted Man Start on Apple TV?
The Wanted Man premieres globally on Wednesday, 6 January 2027, with the first two episodes released together. The remaining episodes will then arrive weekly every Wednesday, with the eight-part series reaching its finale on 17 February 2027.
What Is The Wanted Man About?
The series follows Felix Carmichael after somebody within his own criminal organisation turns against him and he is sent to Staplehurst prison. The story sets up both a prison survival drama and a wider mystery around who betrayed Felix in the first place, while his life and criminal operation continue outside the prison walls.
The official synopsis reads: “When organized crime boss Felix Carmichael is betrayed by someone inside his own firm and sent to the notorious Staplehurst prison, he’s forced to remember his own brutality to fight for survival. With his family, firm and fortune at stake, Felix resolves to do the unthinkable: escape.”
Who Is in The Wanted Man Cast?
Hugh Laurie leads the series as Felix Carmichael and also serves as an executive producer. He is joined by Thandiwe Newton, Fionn Whitehead, Gina McKee, Hazel Doupe, Elliott Heffernan and Stephen Dillane. Apple has not yet revealed full character details for the supporting cast.
Who Created The Wanted Man?
The Wanted Man comes from George Kay, creator of Hijack and co-creator of Lupin, who serves as creator, writer, showrunner and executive producer. Jakob Verbruggen, whose previous credits include The Fall, London Spy and Dark Matter, directs the series. It is produced by New Pictures and Observatory Pictures, with Willow Grylls, Matt Sandford and Hugh Laurie among the executive producers.
For CultureCues, this sounds right up our street. Hugh Laurie as a crime boss plotting his way out of prison is already a great starting point, and having George Kay behind it after Hijack makes us even more interested. The betrayal, prison setting and escape plan give the series plenty of mystery from the beginning, and the cast looks excellent. We will definitely be watching when Felix starts planning his way out in January.
The Wanted Man premieres on Apple TV on 6 January 2027.
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Nikki Murray is a UK-based writer, screenwriter and founder & editor of CultureCues, covering film, television, music and pop culture. Her work focuses on storytelling and the moments shaping modern entertainment.