Ben Stiller is gearing up to lead an upcoming Apple TV show from King of the Hill’s creator. Mike Judge is creating the show alongside acclaimed comedy writers Steve Hely and Dave King.
What do we know about Ben Stiller’s new TV show?
The series, titled Protective Custody, will see the filmmaker and actor play a disgraced billionaire. As revealed by Deadline, the show will see Stiller play a “disgraced financier accused of massive fraud who is thrown into protective custody, where he must navigate prison politics, salvage his reputation, and confront the consequences of his actions while awaiting trial.”
Protective Custody will mark Ben Stiller’s second leading TV role, following Apple TV’s upcoming The Off Weeks. He is best known for starring in landmark comedies in the early 2000s, including Zoolander, Tropic Thunder, Night at the Museum, and the Fockers franchise. In recent years, Stiller gained recognition as a filmmaker after directing and producing Severance. Stiller’s collaboration with Apple TV continues with the upcoming Apple Original film The Dink, and he will return to the Fockers franchise with Focker-in-Law later this year.
Mike Judge is best known for creating various comedy shows like King of the Hill, Silicon Valley, and Beavis and Butt-Head. The report noted that Protective Custody originated as a pitch from Ben Silverman and Propagate Content to Apple. The show was conceived as “Hogan’s Heroes meets The Office”.
Alongside his writing and showrunning duties, Judge will also direct select episodes. Protective Custody will be executive produced by Stiller and John Lesher for Red Hour, Ben Silverman, Howard Owens, and Rodney Ferrell for Propagate Content, Michael Rotenberg and Oly Obst for 3 Arts Entertainment. Academy Award nominee Nanette Burstein will also be an executive producer.
Protective Custody currently doesn’t have a release date.
