Hugh Laurie’s ‘The Wanted Man’ Sets January Apple TV Premiere With First-Look Images

The Wanted Man Hugh Laurie Apple TV drama now has a premiere date and its first official images. Apple TV announced September 24 that the eight-episode crime series will debut globally on January 6, 2027, with Laurie starring as Felix Carmichael, a powerful organized crime boss whose empire begins to collapse after someone inside his organization betrays him.

The first two episodes will arrive together on January 6, followed by one episode every Wednesday through the February 17 finale. The series comes from creator, writer and showrunner George Kay, whose credits include Hijack and Lupin, and pairs Laurie with an ensemble that includes Thandiwe Newton, Fionn Whitehead, Gina McKee, Hazel Doupe, Elliott Heffernan and Stephen Dillane.

The Wanted Man Hugh Laurie Apple TV drama begins behind bars

Apple TV’s official first-look announcement introduces Laurie as Felix Carmichael, an organized crime boss who is betrayed by someone within his own firm and sent to Staplehurst prison.

Once incarcerated, Felix faces threats to his family, criminal organization and fortune while trying to survive without the power he wielded outside prison. Apple says the character ultimately decides to attempt an escape.

The setup gives the series two connected conflicts. Felix has to survive incarceration while the organization he built is being threatened from within, leaving the identity and motives of his betrayer as part of the larger story.

Laurie also serves as an executive producer on the series. The role puts the actor at the center of another television drama after a career that has ranged from the medical series House to The Night Manager, Veep and Tehran.

Thandiwe Newton joins Hugh Laurie in the cast

Apple’s announced ensemble includes Newton, Whitehead, McKee, Doupe, Heffernan and Dillane. The first-look photographs released with the premiere announcement show several members of that cast, although Apple has not used the initial announcement to explain every character’s relationship to Felix.

UPI independently confirmed the January premiere, eight-episode format and first-look release, including Laurie’s role as the imprisoned crime boss.

Newton comes to the series after television work including Westworld, while Whitehead’s film credits include Dunkirk and Emily. McKee has appeared in projects including My Policeman, and Dillane is widely known for playing Stannis Baratheon in Game of Thrones.

The series is produced by New Pictures, a Banijay Entertainment company, and Kay’s Observatory Pictures. Willow Grylls and Matt Sandford executive produce alongside Kay and Laurie, with David Meanti serving as series producer.

George Kay returns to Apple TV after Hijack

Kay’s involvement gives The Wanted Man a direct creative connection to another Apple TV thriller. He created Hijack, the Idris Elba-led series built around a commercial flight takeover, and previously worked on Netflix’s Lupin.

The new project also arrives as Apple continues building a substantial slate of British-led dramas. Apple TV’s current drama lineup includes Slow Horses, which returned for its sixth season this month following an Emmy win for directing.

The Wanted Man is directed by Jakob Verbruggen, Rachel Leiterman and Lisa Gunning. Verbruggen’s previous television work includes The Fall, London Spy and Apple’s Dark Matter, while Leiterman has directed episodes of The Buccaneers.

The Wanted Man premieres January 6

The release schedule gives the eight-episode season a seven-week run. Episodes one and two premiere January 6, with six subsequent installments arriving weekly on Wednesdays before the finale on February 17.

TVLine also independently reported the January 6 launch and weekly release schedule following Apple’s announcement.

The September reveal is a first look rather than a full trailer. Apple has released production photographs, the central premise, principal cast, creative team and premiere schedule, but has not yet released a trailer showing the story in extended footage.

That leaves significant details about Felix’s betrayal and the supporting characters unresolved ahead of the premiere. Apple’s synopsis establishes that someone inside Felix’s organization is responsible for his downfall, but does not identify that person.

For now, the The Wanted Man Hugh Laurie Apple TV announcement establishes the essentials: Laurie is playing the crime boss at the center of the story, Kay is leading the series creatively, and the eight-episode drama will begin its global rollout on January 6.