Apple TV's New 8-Part Crime Thriller Extends Anthony Mackie's Rotten Tomatoes Streak

Published Nov 13, 2026, 11:45 AM EST

Abdullah Al-Ghamdi joined Screen Rant in August 2019 and is now one of the leading contributors of the TV News team. Having written over 4000 news stories in that time , with his work cited in Buzzfeed and TV Insider, he's always bemoaning that there's too many shows and not enough time. You can contact him at: aalghamdi@hey.com.

Anthony Mackie extends a solid Rotten Tomatoes streak with his new crime thriller.

Although the actor has had a mixed record on the big screen lately, with 2025's historical action drama Desert Warrior standing out as a notable critical and commercial disappointment, Mackie's projects on the small screen have been well received. That's true whether he is leading Peacock's adaptation of Twisted Metal or appearing in a hilarious spot for Apple TV's The Studio.

A new Apple TV Original, 12 12 12, an eight-episode time-hopping heist saga, has debuted its first two episodes. It pairs Mackie with Jamie Dornan (The Tourist, Fifty Shades of Grey) and reunites Mackie with filmmaker Kari Skogland, who directed all episodes of the Marvel miniseries The Falcon and The Winter Soldier.

12 12 12 has debuted to a 64% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The score is based on 11 reviews so far, with seven categorized as positive and four categorized as negative. The numbers are subject to change as more assessments are added. The Average of Rated Reviews, viewable by clicking the Tomatometer, currently sits at 6.20 out of 10.

Assuming the score stays roughly where it is or markedly improves, it would mean that Mackie's streak of appearing in Fresh television shows would continue. The streak includes Twisted Metal, his guest role in The Studio, and Jeremy Renner's reality series Rennervations. Mackie's last TV project that scored poorly was Prime Video's drama anthology Solo, in which the actor appeared in an episode.

12 12 12 takes place across three separate timelines: the 12 months spent preparing, the 12 hours during the heist itself, and the 12 days that follow. In particular, the action is driven by Jack Strickland, a disgraced FBI agent, played by Mackie, as well as an American professional criminal by the name of Paul Galvin, who is portrayed by Dornan. The duo is caught in a game of cat and mouse throughout Europe. But it all goes back to an ambitious robbery that's targeting a bank vault hidden under the streets of Zurich.

Jack Kesy (Deadpool 2), Agathe Rousselle (Titane), Sallie Harmsen (Moloch), José García (The Ax), and Kali Reis (True Detective) also star in the crime thriller, which is created and executive produced by Dudi Appleton and Jim Keeble. Skogland directs several episodes and also executive produces.

ScreenRant's review of 12 12 12 by Greg MacArthur calls it “Apple TV's best action thriller yet.” In particular, citing how the premise feels like like a gimmick than as a way of allowing the viewer to experience the urgency of the moment. The performances of Mackie and Dornan are also praised as “perfectly cast.”

On the whole, while some critics find 12 12 12 slick but lacking substance, arguing that it is really a feature film padded to TV length, a consistent theme across the reviews is kudos offered to the entertaining twists, in addition to Mackie and Dornan's chemistry, adding up to a pleasant throwback thriller.

12 12 12 premieres Friday, November 13, and will air one episode a week until the finale on Friday, December 25.