Peacock mystery drama adaptation Apples Never Fall picked by BBC

Apples Never Fall stars Annette Bening and Sam Neill

The BBC has secured the UK rights to Apples Never Fall, a limited drama series based on the New York Times bestselling novel by Liane Moriarty.

The seven-part series, featuring a cast led by Annette Bening and Sam Neill, will be available on BBC iPlayer and broadcast across BBC TV channels later this year.

Apples Never Fall is produced for streamer Peacock by Heyday Television, which is part of Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group. It is distributed by NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution.

The show follows two former tennis coaches, portrayed by Neill and Bening, and their family. Their peaceful retirement is disrupted when a wounded young woman arrives on their doorstep, uncovering dark family secrets.

The cast also includes Jake Lacy (The White Lotus), Alison Brie (Glow), Conor Merrigan-Turner (Thai Cave Rescue) and Essie Randles (The Speedway Murders).

Melanie Marnich, known for her work on The OA and The Affair, adapted the Moriarty novel for TV. Exec producers include David Heyman (Wonka, Barbie), Gregory Jacobs, Liane Moriarty, Bening, Joe Hortua, Albert Page and Jillian Share. Directing the drama are Dawn Shadforth and Chris Sweeney, who also serves as an executive producer.

The series has already been acquired by Foxtel in Australia, TVNZ in New Zealand, Global TV in Canada and European streamer SkyShowtime.

Sue Deeks, head of programme acquisition at the BBC, said: “Suspenseful and sinister, Apples Never Fall is a compelling mystery drama that will keep BBC viewers intrigued until its riveting final episode.”