Hugh Laurie joined by A-list British cast in first look at glossy new action thriller The Wanted Man as release date confirmed

Apple TV has cast A-list British actors, including the likes of Hugh Laurie, in its upcoming show The Wanted Man as first-look images have dropped.

The Wanted Man follows organised crime boss Felix Carmichael (Laurie) who is betrayed by someone inside his own firm and sent to the notorious Staplehurst Prison where he’s forced to remember his own brutality to fight for survival. With his family, firm and fortune at stake, Felix resolves to do the unthinkable: Escape.

The first two episodes of the eight part series will air on Wednesday 6 January 2027 on Apple TV, with further episodes to follow weekly.

Alongside Laurie, the star-studded cast also includes BAFTA Award winner Thandiwe Newton (Westworld, Crash), Fionn Whitehead (Dunkirk, Emily), BAFTA Award winner and Olivier Award nominee Gina McKee (My Policeman, The Years), Hazel Doupe (Say Nothing, Kathleen Is Here), Elliott Heffernan (Blitz) and BAFTA Award winner Stephen Dillane (Game of Thrones, The Hours).

Laurie rose to fame as a comedy actor, one half of the comedy double act Fry and Laurie, in partnership with Stephen Fry. He later appeared in three seasons of the period comedy Blackadder before going on to star as Dr Gregory House, the titular character in the medical drama House, for which he received two Golden Globe Awards and set the Guinness World Record as the most-watched leading man on television.

Some first-look stills released today from the glossy new thriller give a glimpse at the stars in action, including a roughed-up Laurie being led through a prison by police officers and another showing Thandiwe Newton looking pristine sat at an event.

A third photo shows Fionn Whitehead dressed in entirely black, including a balaclava, holding a gun with a car in flames behind him.

Behind the camera there are some decorated names, as The Wanted Man has been created, written and executive produced by Golden Globe and BAFTA Award-nominated showrunner George Kay, alongside Golden Globe nominated and BAFTA Award-winning executive producer Willow Grylls and BAFTA Award-nominated executive producer Matt Sandford, with David Meanti as series producer.

The series has been directed by acclaimed Emmy Award-nominated filmmaker Jakob Verbruggen, know for The Fall, London Spy, and Dark Matter.

The Wanted Man will air on Wednesday 6 January 2027 on Apple TV.

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Authors

Phoebe Kowhai Barnes is a Freelance Writer who covers pop culture and entertainment programmes for the Radio Times. She previously worked as the Senior Assistant Editor at The Tab where she managed its local department. She obtained a BA (Hons) in English Literature from University of Nottingham.