Apple Studios is expanding its portfolio with another star-studded series: "Disavowed" will be an action thriller starring James Marsden. The script is being written by the team behind "Iron Man" and "Uncharted" - a clear indication of the direction Apple is taking with its streaming service.
James Marsden remains tied to Apple. While he is currently appearing in the second season of "Your Friends & Neighbors" as Owen Ashe, Apple Studios has officially confirmed a second collaboration with the actor. With "Disavowed," a new action-thriller series is being created that brings together several top Hollywood talents. The order fits seamlessly into the strategy of making high-quality original productions a cornerstone of the streaming service Apple TV – a direction that Apple has recently also visibly reinforced through Apple Studios' full acquisition of the rights to Severance.
What "Disavowed" is about
The plot revolves around Brad Griffin, a veteran CIA liaison officer who is abruptly dismissed in the middle of a global manhunt for an assassin. The killer is responsible for the death of a close colleague. Banished from the agency and publicly humiliated, Griffin decides to collect the $15 million bounty on his head himself. The series thus combines classic spy elements with the dynamics of a personal vendetta – a genre mix that has recently proven reliably successful in the streaming landscape.
Who is behind the production
The original idea comes from Art Marcum and Matt Holloway. The writing duo has been established in Hollywood for years and is responsible for the screenplays of films such as "Iron Man" (2008) and "Uncharted." Marcum and Holloway serve as both writers and executive producers on "Disavowed." Lead actor James Marsden, an Emmy and Golden Globe nominee, is also involved as an executive producer. The series is produced by Blue Marble Pictures, the studio behind the critically acclaimed Apple TV+ series "Pachinko." Apple is thus relying on a proven partnership for the production.
Second Apple collaboration for Marsden
For Marsden, "Disavowed" marks his second major collaboration with Apple in quick succession. He currently stars alongside Jon Hamm in the second season of "Your Friends & Neighbors" - one of the streaming service's most successful original dramas. Apple's decision to sign him for another major project suggests a longer-term commitment from the actor to the platform. Marsden's filmography includes roles in "X-Men: Days of Future Past" and the Hulu series "Paradise," in addition to Apple productions. The move from a socially conscious drama to a classic action thriller represents a deliberate stylistic shift for him.
Apple's growing series pipeline
With "Disavowed," Apple is expanding an already very active pipeline. The streaming service has launched several original series and extensive sports programming in recent months, while also winning two 2026 Peabody Awards for "Pluribus" and another Apple production, further solidifying its position in the prestige streaming segment. The next focus will follow in the coming weeks with Apple TV's strongest summer lineup to date: Silo Season 3 starting July 3, "The Savant" with Jessica Chastain, and Dark Matter Season 2 are already on the horizon. Action thrillers like "Disavowed" add a more compelling genre element to the service's previously drama- and prestige-heavy profile – a move that is likely to be strategically important for the service's reach. A premiere date for "Disavowed" has not yet been announced; a waiting period of around two years before release is typical for newly commissioned Apple productions.
Apple is reorganizing the action genre for itself
With the announcement of "Disavowed," Apple is demonstrating that its streaming platform is no longer solely focused on prestigious drama and sci-fi productions. Action thrillers with strong genre appeal are intended to round out the offering and simultaneously expand its reach beyond genre boundaries. The next evidence of this strategy will be revealed once Apple announces a concrete release date for the series – likely sometime in 2027. (Image: Apple)
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