From Staff Reports
In Summary:
Apple TV+ is adding six original movies and series in October. Highlights include John Cena’s “Matchbox The Movie,” the historical drama “Tenzing,” and the crime series “Nocturne,” starring Liev Schreiber, Zazie Beetz, and Stephen Graham. Returning shows include “The Sisters Grimm” and “Where’s Wanda?”
*****
From a return to a fairy-tale world to a star-studded trip up Mount Everest, Apple TV+ is rolling out six original premieres during October.
Related: Everything streaming in October.
The streaming service’s schedule includes two feature films, three returning or newly acquired series and a new crime drama led by Liev Schreiber, Zazie Beetz and Stephen Graham.
‘The Sisters Grimm’ returns for season two
“The Sisters Grimm” opens the month with its second season.
Based on Michael Buckley’s bestselling children’s book series, the animated fantasy adventure follows orphaned sisters Sabrina and Daphne Grimm as they navigate a town populated by characters from fairy tales.
The sisters are descendants of the Brothers Grimm and must confront heroes, villains and magical threats while investigating the disappearance of their parents.
Ariel Winter and Leah Newman lead the voice cast, which also includes Laraine Newman, Billy Harris, Abubakar Salim and Harry Trevaldwyn. The second season premieres Oct. 2.
‘Small Prophets’ brings an offbeat British comedy
“Small Prophets,” a six-episode British comedy created, written and directed by Mackenzie Crook, arrives Oct. 7.
Pearce Quigley stars as Michael Sleep, an eccentric man whose partner, Clea, disappeared seven years earlier. Michael leads a quiet life working at a home-improvement store and visiting his father until an old recipe involving rainwater, horse manure and alchemy sends him in an unexpected direction.
The cast includes Crook, Lauren Patel, Sophie Willan, Jon Pointing, Paul Kaye and Michael Palin. The entire first season will be available at its Apple TV premiere, excluding the United Kingdom, where it will arrive later.
John Cena leads ‘Matchbox The Movie’
“Matchbox The Movie” turns the familiar Mattel toy line into a globe-spanning action adventure.
John Cena stars as Sean, an undercover CIA agent who returns to his hometown after a long absence. His arrival pulls a group of childhood friends into an international pursuit with the fate of the world at stake.
Jessica Biel, Sam Richardson, Teyonah Parris and Arturo Castro also star, with Corey Stoll, Bill Camp, Danai Gurira and Golshifteh Farahani among the supporting cast.
The film is directed by Sam Hargrave, whose credits include the “Extraction” movies, and premieres Oct. 9.
‘Tenzing’ revisits a historic Everest climb
“Tenzing” chronicles the life of Tenzing Norgay and his historic ascent of Mount Everest with New Zealand mountaineer Edmund Hillary.
Genden Phuntsok portrays Norgay, with Tom Hiddleston playing Hillary. The cast also includes Willem Dafoe as expedition leader John Hunt, Caitríona Balfe as expedition secretary Jill Henderson and Thinley Lhamo as Norgay’s wife, Dawa.
The film follows Norgay’s effort to secure a place on the British climbing team and explores the class, cultural and personal tensions surrounding the expedition. It also contrasts Western ambitions to conquer Everest with Norgay’s spiritual reverence for the mountain he knew as Chomolungma.
Directed by Jennifer Peedom, “Tenzing” arrives on Apple TV+ on Oct. 16 following a limited theatrical release.
‘Where’s Wanda?’ returns for a second season
The German-language dark comedy “Where’s Wanda?” returns Oct. 21.
The series centers on Dedo and Carlotta Klatt, who took matters into their own hands after their teenage daughter disappeared and the police failed to find her. With help from their tech-savvy son, Ole, the couple began secretly monitoring their neighbors and discovered that nearly everyone around them was hiding something.
Heike Makatsch, Axel Stein, Lea Drinda and Leo Simon return for the second season. One episode will premiere each Wednesday.
‘Nocturne’ closes the month with a serial-killer hunt
Apple TV+ closes October with “Nocturne,” a 10-episode crime drama based on the Lars Kepler novels “Lazarus” and “The Sandman.”
Liev Schreiber stars as Jonah Lynn, a former soldier and Philadelphia homicide detective who moves to a small town in western Pennsylvania in search of a quieter life. That peace ends when the town and his family become targets of serial killer Jurek Walter, played by Stephen Graham.
Zazie Beetz co-stars as FBI agent Saga Bauer, Jonah’s surrogate daughter, who becomes involved in the search for Walter’s final missing victim.
The first two episodes premiere Oct. 30. New episodes will follow each Friday.
Apple TV+ October premiere calendar
Friday, Oct. 2
“The Sisters Grimm” — Season two premiere
Wednesday, Oct. 7
“Small Prophets” — First-season premiere; all six episodes
Friday, Oct. 9
“Matchbox The Movie” — Film premiere
Friday, Oct. 16
“Tenzing” — Streaming film premiere
Wednesday, Oct. 21
“Where’s Wanda?” — Season two premiere; new episodes weekly
Friday, Oct. 30
“Nocturne” — Series premiere with two episodes; new episodes weekly
Key Points:
- “The Sisters Grimm” begins its second season Oct. 2.
- All six episodes of “Small Prophets” arrive Oct. 7.
- John Cena stars in “Matchbox The Movie,” premiering Oct. 9.
- “Tenzing,” starring Genden Phuntsok and Tom Hiddleston, streams Oct. 16.
- “Where’s Wanda?” returns Oct. 21, followed by the premiere of “Nocturne” on Oct. 30.
