Brothers: Apple TV's new star comedy launches Apfelpatient

Apple TV has brought two Hollywood heavyweights together for a new comedy: Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson play fictionalized versions of themselves in "Brothers" - and stumble upon the question of whether they might actually be brothers. The worldwide release date for the eight-part series has now been announced.

The long-standing friendship between Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson is well-known in Hollywood – and now it's the subject of its own series. Apple TV has confirmed the global release date for the comedy "Brothers": the first two episodes will premiere on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. The service is thus continuing its strategy of featuring high-profile original productions – a commitment that recently even saw Apple TV surpass Netflix in a quality ranking.

When does "Brothers" start?

The first season kicks off on September 23, 2026, with two episodes released simultaneously. A new episode will then be released every Wednesday until November 4, 2026. The first season comprises eight episodes in total, which will be available worldwide at the same time.

The plot of "Brothers"

The film centers on McConaughey and Harrelson, who portray fictionalized versions of themselves. Their lifelong friendship is thrown into chaos when they uncover a decades-old secret: they might actually be brothers. After his daughter's wedding is called off, Woody packs up the family and travels to Austin for an extended stay at Matthews Ranch.

What was meant to be a restorative getaway quickly spirals out of control when Matthew's mother, Ma Mac – played by Holland Taylor – accidentally reveals a long-kept secret. While Woody turns the ranch upside down in his search for the truth, Matthew grapples with his own identity crisis: a potential candidacy for governor of Texas. The result is a heartwarming, chaotic, and over-the-top story about friendship, family, fame, and the blurred line between myth and reality.

Cast and creators

Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey and Oscar nominee Woody Harrelson not only star in the film but also serve as executive producers. They are joined by a diverse ensemble cast including Natalie Martinez, Brittany Ishibashi, Nolan Almeida, Ella Grace Helton, Noah Carganilla, Highdee Kuan, Oona Yaffe, and Holland Taylor.

"Brothers" is produced for Apple TV by Paramount Television Studios. The series is overseen by multiple Emmy-nominated and Peabody Award-winning Lee Eisenberg as showrunner and executive producer. Alongside Eisenberg, McConaughey, and Harrelson, Natalie Sandy, David West Read, Trish Hofmann, Bill Bost, Jason Winer, David Finkel, Brett Baer, and Jeremy Plager serve as executive producers. Trent O'Donnell directs several episodes, including the pilot.

Another prominent addition to Apple TV

Since its launch in November 2019, Apple TV has established itself as the first streaming service focused exclusively on original content, quickly racking up numerous awards. To date, its original films, documentaries, and series have garnered 843 wins and more than 3,600 nominations. Among its most memorable titles are the Emmy-winning comedies "The Studio" and "Ted Lasso," the cultural phenomenon "Severance," which, along with "Pluribus," is the service's award-winning and most-watched drama, the Oscar-winning "CODA," and the box office hit "F1." Now, "Brothers," another star-studded comedy, joins this impressive portfolio.

Star power for Apple TV's comedy fall

With two screen legends in the lead roles and an experienced comedy showrunner behind it, Apple TV is positioning "Brothers" as one of its flagship shows for the fall. The weekly release schedule starting September 23 should keep the series in the public eye for several weeks – a tried-and-tested formula the service uses for its major titles. (Image: Apple)