Patrick Wilson Reveals How Martin Scorsese’s Film Directly Shaped Apple TV’s New Cape Fear Series

Patrick Wilson says the upcoming Apple TV+ series Cape Fear is filled with cinematic nods to Martin Scorsese’s 1991 film. The actor explained that while the new show builds a larger world, Scorsese’s visual style and the technical skill of that movie are a major foundation for the project. The series finished filming in October 2025 and is expected to release in 2026.

Wilson plays Tom Bowden, a lawyer whose life is upended when a dangerous man from his past is released from prison. The show features a top-tier cast including Javier Bardem as Max Cady and Amy Adams as Anna Bowden, Tom’s wife. With Scorsese and Steven Spielberg serving as executive producers, the series aims to honor past adaptations while telling a deeper, more expansive story.

The Creative Bridge from Scorsese’s Vision to a New Series

In a recent interview, Wilson detailed the direct creative line from Scorsese’s movie to the new television adaptation. He said the show actively uses Scorsese’s film as a visual and thematic reference point.

“Cinematically, we’re leaning on a lot of Scorsese-type stuff, real nods to that film, but it’s an expanded world,” Wilson stated. He emphasized the unique path of the source material: “the IP is that it comes from a book, then a movie, and then, 30 years later, another movie, and now, 30 years later, a TV show.”

Wilson pointed out that Scorsese’s own film was an expansion of the 1962 original starring Robert Mitchum. The new series continues that tradition of growth. With the room provided by a 10-episode season, the story can include elements from John D. MacDonald’s original 1957 novel, The Executioners, that the films could not.

Building a Larger and More Distorted World

This is not a simple remake. Wilson and showrunner Nick Antosca have set out to create something that pushes the classic story into new territory. Wilson described the approach as taking the core idea and stretching it into something bigger and more intense.

“This is not just a recreation of the Scorsese film for sure,” Wilson said. “We take the kernel of that… and then we stretch it out and make it even more distorted. So we keep a lot of that spirit, but we definitely push it.”

The series is described as a tense, Hitchcockian thriller. It also plans to examine modern America’s widespread fascination with true crime. This contemporary lens adds a new layer to the enduring story of a released convict seeking revenge on the legal family he blames for his imprisonment.

Meet the Stars and Key Characters

The series brings together an acclaimed cast to populate its expanded version of the Cape Fear story.

• Javier Bardem plays Max Cady, the menacing figure released from prison who targets the Bowden family. Bardem is also an executive producer on the series.
• Amy Adams and Patrick Wilson play Anna and Tom Bowden, the married attorneys whose lives are shattered by Cady’s return.
• CCH Pounder holds a main role, though her character details are still under wraps.
• The supporting cast includes notable names like Ron Perlman, Ted Levine, and Margarita Levieva, who all joined the cast in recurring roles.

The series is created and written by Nick Antosca, known for shows like The Act. Morten Tyldum directed the pilot episode and also serves as an executive producer.

Production Status and What Comes Next

Filming for the series began in Atlanta, Georgia on April 30, 2025 and was completed on October 15, 2025. The production is a collaboration between Universal Content Productions (UCP) and Amblin Television, Spielberg’s company.

While Apple TV+ has not announced an exact premiere date, reports suggest the series is aiming for a 2026 release. As a platform known for high-quality dramas, Cape Fear fits within Apple’s strategy of producing series with major filmmakers and stars.

Also Read: The Accident Season 2 Ending Explained: Final Twists and Character Fates Revealed

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