Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson are reunited in the first look at “Brothers” as Apple TV announced a Sept. 23 premiere date for the eight-episode comedy series.
Created by “The Office” producer Lee Eisenberg, “Brothers” stars McConaughey and Harrelson as fictionalized versions of themselves. The “True Detective” co-stars’ friendship is sent into a spiral when they uncover a decades-old secret: they might actually be brothers.
The truth comes out at Matthew’s ranch in Austin, where Woody has taken his family for a much-needed retreat after his daughter’s wedding falls apart. Per the logline, “As Woody turns the ranch upside down in pursuit of the truth, Matthew finds himself juggling an entirely different identity crisis: a potential run for Governor of Texas. The result is a heartfelt, chaotic and wildly funny story about friendship, family, fame and the messy line between myth and reality.”
Holland Taylor plays McConaughey’s mother, Ma Mac, and the ensemble cast also includes Natalie Martinez, Brittany Ishibashi, Nolan Almeida, Ella Grace Helton, Noah Carganilla, Highdee Kuan and Oona Yaffe.
The show is based on real life developments in McConaughey and Harrelson’s storied friendship. There have long been rumors that the pair might be related, and in 2023, Harrelson confirmed that his father had a brief relationship with McConaughey’s mother, implying he and the “Interstellar” actor might be half-brothers. “We haven’t done a test, but there are too many times that I think to myself, My God, the similarities!” Harrelson told Esquire magazine. “The things he does, the things he says — just the way he is. I’ve felt that for years.”
The first two episodes of “Brothers” will drop on Sept. 23, followed by one episode per week every Wednesday through Nov. 4. The series is produced for Apple TV by Paramount Television Studios. Eisenberg, McConaughey and Harrelson executive produce alongside Natalie Sandy, David West Read, Trish Hofmann, Bill Bost, Jeremy Plager, Jason Winer, David Finkel and Brett Baer. Trent O’Donnell directed the pilot as well as additional episodes.
Read was the original writer, showrunner and executive producer of “Brothers” before exiting the series over creative differences. Eisenberg replaced him at the helm. The show was first announced in 2023 and underwent several delays in production.