Apple TV+ continues to build a strong lineup for its upcoming untitled thriller series from Emmy-winning creator Alex Cary. The latest addition brings in a rising star to join the already impressive cast led by Dakota Fanning and Stellan Skarsgård.
The streaming service announced on March 30, 2026 that Daryl McCormack, known for his breakout role opposite Emma Thompson in Good Luck to You, Leo Grande and appearances in Twisters and Bad Sisters, has landed a key role in the series. McCormack will play Kar, described as the reluctant heir to the international conglomerate at the center of the story.
This casting news comes just one day after reports confirmed that Stellan Skarsgård would be joining the project, marking a unique connection between the veteran actor and the Fanning family. Skarsgård recently earned a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination for his performance in Sentimental Value, a film that co-starred Dakota Fanning’s sister, Elle Fanning. The Swedish actor will portray Brandt, the head of the international conglomerate.
A High-Stakes Undercover Story
The series, which does not yet have an official title, centers on a complex undercover operation with personal stakes. Dakota Fanning stars as a Treasury agent who goes deep inside a multi-billion dollar international conglomerate with significant political and criminal ties. The official logline describes her character as someone who becomes conflicted between her mission and her belief that her primary target—the heir to all that corrupt power—is genuinely a good man worth loving.
This moral dilemma sets up the kind of psychological tension that showrunner Alex Cary knows well. Cary created the mini-series A Spy Among Friends and earned his thriller credentials as a writer-producer on the acclaimed series Homeland. His experience with complex characters and espionage storytelling suggests the series will balance action with deeper questions about loyalty and trust.
The Creative Team Behind the Series
The untitled thriller comes from Sony Pictures Television and has assembled a strong creative team. Kari Skogland, who directed The Falcon and The Winter Soldier for Marvel and worked on The Handmaid’s Tale, will direct and serve as executive producer. Skogland brings experience handling large-scale productions with intimate character moments.
Cary serves as showrunner and executive producer through his FLW Productions banner under his overall deal with Sony Pictures Television. Julie Gardner, whose credits include Lady in the Lake and Doctor Who, executive produces for Bad Wolf America.
The Fanning sisters are both involved behind the scenes as well. Dakota Fanning executive produces alongside her sister Elle, marking another collaboration between the two after reports last summer that they would share the screen for the first time in an upcoming movie. Brittany Kahan Ward of Lewellen Pictures also serves as executive producer.
McCormack’s Rising Profile
Daryl McCormack brings momentum to the project following several high-profile roles. The Irish actor gained widespread recognition for his performance in Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, which earned him two BAFTA nominations. He recently appeared in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, the third installment of Rian Johnson’s whodunit series for Netflix.
McCormack also starred in Twisters and the Apple TV+ series Bad Sisters, making this new project a return to the streamer. His upcoming slate includes a role in Tom Ford’s Cry to Heaven and Netflix’s Pride and Prejudice series from Dolly Alderton.
A Pattern of Fanning Family Connections
Skarsgård’s casting creates an interesting connection between his recent work and this new project. In Sentimental Value, the Norwegian drama that won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival, Skarsgård played an aging director who hires an American movie star played by Elle Fanning. Now he joins Dakota Fanning in a completely different type of story.
The film earned Skarsgård the Golden Globe for best supporting actor and an Academy Award nomination in the same category. It also won the Oscar for International Feature Film. The actor’s recent credits also include the Dune movie franchise and Disney+’s Star Wars series Andor.
Also Read:
What to Expect
While Apple TV+ has not announced a release date or premiere window, the series continues to build its cast with notable additions. The project joins Apple’s growing roster of thrillers alongside shows like Severance, Hijack, and Slow Horses.
The combination of Alex Cary’s pedigree in espionage storytelling, Kari Skogland’s direction, and a cast featuring Dakota Fanning, Stellan Skarsgård, and Daryl McCormack positions this untitled series as one to watch as production moves forward. With three key roles now cast—the undercover agent, the conglomerate head, and the conflicted heir—the stage is set for a story that explores power, loyalty, and the dangerous line between duty and personal belief.
Also Read: Paradise Season 3: Hulu Confirms Renewal and What’s Next After That Shocking Finale
Stay updated with the latest entertainment news, streaming updates, and casting announcements from VvipTimes.
