Apple orders another Witherspoon drama

Apple has ordered 10 episodes of a thriller from Reese Witherspoon’s production company that had been in development at the tech giant’s TV division.

Reese Witherspoon

Are You Sleeping is based on the novel by Kathleen Barber and has been created and written by The Good Wife’s Nichelle Tramble Spellman. Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine and Chernin Entertainment/Endeavor Content are behind the show, which will star Octavia Spencer (Hidden Figures).

Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter are attached as exec producers for Hello Sunshine, alongside Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping and Kristen Campo for Chernin/Endeavor as well as Spencer and Tramble.

The psychological thriller will explore the surge of interest in true crime podcasts and has Sarah Koenig, creator of hit audio series Serial, attached as a consultant.

Are You Sleeping is the third show involving Hello Sunshine, which is also behind an as-yet-untitled drama set in the world of early-morning US network TV and a comedy starring Kristen Wiig.

Apple’s slate also includes a 10-part reboot of science-fiction series Amazing Stories from Steven Spielberg, while the company is understood to be looking to secure global rights to forthcoming BBC drama His Dark Materials.

Apple first dipped its toe into exclusive programming with unscripted shows Planet of the Apps and Carpool Karaoke.