The Wanted Man is a new Apple TV crime drama starring and executive produced by Hugh Laurie. Created by George Kay, the series follows Felix Carmichael, the leader of a powerful British criminal empire whose world begins to collapse after a betrayal inside his own organization.
Apple TV has confirmed that The Wanted Man premieres globally on January 6, 2027, with the first two episodes arriving together. New episodes will then be released every Wednesday through February 17, 2027.
Here’s everything you need to know about The Wanted Man, including its release date, cast, story, episode schedule, creators, and where to watch.
When Does The Wanted Man Come Out on Apple TV?
The Wanted Man premieres on Apple TV on January 6, 2027.
The series will launch globally with its first two episodes on Wednesday, January 6. After that, Apple TV will release one new episode every Wednesday through February 17.
The eight-episode series is one of Apple TV’s upcoming crime dramas and stars Hugh Laurie as Felix Carmichael.
For the latest official announcements, first-look images, and production information, visit the official Apple TV Press page for The Wanted Man.
FilmRadar is also tracking upcoming entertainment releases through its upcoming movies and releases guide.
What Is The Wanted Man About?
The Wanted Man follows Felix Carmichael, an organized crime boss who has spent two decades leading one of Britain’s most feared criminal empires.
After someone inside his own firm betrays him, Felix is arrested and sent to Staplehurst prison.
His imprisonment puts his family, criminal organization, and fortune at risk. With his empire beginning to fall apart around him, Felix decides that survival is no longer enough.
He has to escape.
Apple TV’s official synopsis describes Felix as a powerful crime boss whose betrayal and incarceration force him to confront the brutality that helped him build his empire.
The story then becomes a fight for survival, revenge, and the chance to reclaim what he has lost.
The Wanted Man Cast
The main cast of The Wanted Man includes:
- Hugh Laurie as Felix Carmichael
- Thandiwe Newton as Francesca Carmichael
- Fionn Whitehead as Scotty Walsh
- Gina McKee as Hannah Carmichael
- Hazel Doupe
- Elliott Heffernan
- Stephen Dillane
Apple TV’s official cast information confirms Hugh Laurie as Felix Carmichael, Thandiwe Newton as Francesca Carmichael, Fionn Whitehead as Scotty Walsh and Gina McKee as Hannah Carmichael.
The wider cast also includes Hazel Doupe, Elliott Heffernan and Stephen Dillane.
Who Is Hugh Laurie Playing in The Wanted Man?
Hugh Laurie plays Felix Carmichael, the central character in the series.
Felix is the powerful head of a British criminal organization who has remained difficult to touch for around 20 years.
His position changes dramatically after a betrayal within his own organization leads to his imprisonment.
Rather than accepting the collapse of his empire, Felix begins planning his escape from Staplehurst prison.
Laurie is also an executive producer on the series.
The role gives Laurie a very different type of crime-drama character from some of his better-known television performances, placing him at the center of a story about organized crime, betrayal, and revenge.
The Wanted Man Story Explained
At the heart of The Wanted Man is the collapse of Felix Carmichael’s criminal empire.
For years, Felix has been the leader of a powerful British crime organization. His position appears secure until someone inside the organization turns against him.
Felix is arrested and sent to Staplehurst prison, leaving his family and criminal operation vulnerable.
While imprisoned, he has to fight for survival and confront the consequences of the violence and decisions that helped build his empire.
But Felix has no intention of remaining behind bars.
His plan is to escape, find out who betrayed him, and attempt to take back control.
The official Apple TV description confirms the central elements of the story, while leaving many details of the plot undisclosed ahead of the premiere.
How Many Episodes Is The Wanted Man?
The Wanted Man has eight episodes.
Apple TV has confirmed the following release pattern:
- Episodes 1–2: January 6, 2027
- Episode 3: January 13, 2027
- Episode 4: January 20, 2027
- Episode 5: January 27, 2027
- Episode 6: February 3, 2027
- Episode 7: February 10, 2027
- Episode 8: February 17, 2027
The series will therefore run for approximately six weeks, with the first two episodes released together before moving to a weekly schedule.
Apple TV confirmed the complete eight-episode rollout when it announced the series’ premiere date and first-look images.
Who Created The Wanted Man?
George Kay created, wrote, and serves as showrunner for The Wanted Man.
Kay is known for his work on crime and thriller television, including Hijack and Lupin.
The series is produced by New Pictures and Observatory Pictures.
Executive producers include George Kay, Willow Grylls, Matt Sandford and Hugh Laurie, while David Meanti serves as series producer.
The series is directed by Jakob Verbruggen, whose previous credits include The Fall, London Spy and Dark Matter.
Is The Wanted Man Based on a Book?
There is currently no indication from Apple’s official announcement that The Wanted Man is adapted from a novel or existing book.
The series is an original crime drama created by George Kay for Apple TV.
Apple’s official material identifies Kay as the creator, writer, and showrunner and describes the project as a new eight-episode drama.
That means viewers can approach the series as a new story rather than needing to read source material before watching.
Where Can You Watch The Wanted Man?
The Wanted Man will stream exclusively on Apple TV.
The series premieres globally on January 6, 2027, with the first two episodes available on launch day.
After the premiere, new episodes will arrive every Wednesday until the February 17 finale.
You can find the official series listing and streaming information on the Apple TV page for The Wanted Man.
Apple’s listing currently describes the show as a crime thriller and confirms its January 6 premiere.
Is There a Trailer for The Wanted Man?
Apple TV has released first-look images for the series and confirmed its premiere date.
The official September announcement introduced Hugh Laurie, Thandiwe Newton, Fionn Whitehead, Gina McKee and other members of the cast through the first-look material.
At this stage, the safest approach is to distinguish the confirmed first-look material from any unofficial videos or fan-made edits circulating online.
When Apple TV releases an official trailer, FilmRadar can update this section with the trailer and additional story details.
What Is The Wanted Man’s Release Schedule?
The complete release schedule is:
Episode Release Date
Episode 1 January 6, 2027
Episode 2 January 6, 2027
Episode 3 January 13, 2027
Episode 4 January 20, 2027
Episode 5 January 27, 2027
Episode February 6 3, 2027
Episode February 7 10, 2027
Episode February 8 17, 2027
The first two episodes arrive together, followed by one episode every Wednesday.
What Makes The Wanted Man Different From Other Apple TV Crime Dramas?
The series combines an organized-crime story with a prison-escape setup.
Instead of beginning with a criminal investigation from the perspective of law enforcement, The Wanted Man places the central character inside the criminal world itself.
Felix Carmichael is not trying to discover how a criminal organization works. He is the person who built and controlled one.
That changes when his own organization turns against him.
The combination of an imprisoned crime boss, an internal betrayal, and an attempt to escape gives the series its central conflict.
Apple’s official announcement also connects the project to George Kay’s previous thriller work, including Hijack and Lupin.
The Wanted Man and George Kay
George Kay is one of the key names behind the series.
As creator, writer and showrunner, Kay is responsible for developing the story around Felix Carmichael and the collapse of his criminal empire.
His previous television work includes Hijack, Lupin and War, making The Wanted Man another crime-focused project in his growing television portfolio.
The series is also produced by New Pictures and Observatory Pictures, with Jakob Verbruggen directing.
The Wanted Man vs. Other Apple TV Crime Shows
Apple TV already has a strong lineup of crime, thriller and spy dramas.
One example is Slow Horses Season 6, which follows Jackson Lamb and the Slough House team through another intelligence operation.
The two series have different settings and stories, however.
Slow Horses focuses on British intelligence and espionage, while The Wanted Man centers on an organized crime boss whose own organization turns against him.
For viewers who follow Apple TV’s darker dramas, The Wanted Man is another upcoming series to watch as its January 2027 premiere approaches.
When Does The Wanted Man Finale Air?
The Wanted Man finale, Episode 8, is scheduled for February 17, 2027.
Because Apple TV is releasing the first two episodes together and then moving to a weekly schedule, the series will run from January 6 through February 17.
That schedule is confirmed by Apple TV’s official announcement.
Final Thoughts
The Wanted Man is a new Apple TV crime drama led by Hugh Laurie as Felix Carmichael, a powerful organized crime boss whose empire begins to collapse after an internal betrayal.
The eight-episode series comes from George Kay, the creator of Hijack and Lupin, and also stars Thandiwe Newton, Fionn Whitehead, Gina McKee, Hazel Doupe, Elliott Heffernan and Stephen Dillane.
The series premieres globally on January 6, 2027, with two episodes at launch followed by weekly episodes through February 17, 2027.
With its prison setting, organized-crime storyline, and focus on betrayal and revenge, The Wanted Man is one of Apple TV’s upcoming crime dramas to keep an eye on ahead of its 2027 premiere.
FilmRadar will update this article when Apple TV releases a trailer, additional character information, or new details about the series.