The eagerly awaited adaptation of Carl Hiaasen's whimsical Florida noir, penned by the masterful Bill Lawrence, boasts an ensemble cast that includes Meredith Hagner, Michelle Monaghan, Jodie Turner-Smith, Rob Delaney, and Lawrence's own talented singer-songwriter daughter, Charlotte. Finally, Bad Monkey, Lawrence's long-cherished project based on Hiaasen's 2013 novel, is poised to make its premiere. With the release date set for August 14, Apple TV+ unveiled the first tantalizing trailer on Wednesday, whetting fans' appetites for this Florida-based dramedy mystery.
The story revolves around Andrew Yancy (Vince Vaughn), a former Miami P.D. detective whose unexpected transfer to the Keys lands him a job as a health inspector, a far cry from his previous profession. However, when a privileged tourist hooks a human arm on a fishing trip, Yancy is irresistibly drawn into a baffling murder mystery. He hopes that solving this case might be the key to regaining his badge and returning to his former glory.
Amidst this ensemble of eccentric characters related to the case, we find L. Scott Caldwell, Rob Delaney, Meredith Hagner, Natalie Martinez, Alex Moffat, Michelle Monaghan, Ronald Peet, and even a capuchin monkey playing the titular primate. Guest stars include Zach Braff, a frequent Lawrence collaborator from Scrubs, Ashley Nicole Black, Scott Glenn, John Ortiz, and the rising star Charlotte Lawrence, adding even more sparkle to this already brilliant cast. Charlotte's television debut in Bad Monkey marks a significant milestone for the young singer-songwriter.
The ten-episode series will be released weekly, with the first two episodes dropping on August 14. This auspicious premiere date coincides with Apple TV+'s successful update of Presumed Innocent, recently renewed for a second season. Similar to Presumed Innocent, Bad Monkey is part of Apple's robust lineup of series filmed before 2023, setting the stage for an exciting 2024 calendar.
Produced by Warner Bros Television and Lawrence's Doozer Productions, Bad Monkey follows Lawrence's previous hit series Ted Lasso and Shrinking at Apple TV+. Just a few months ago, Lawrence sold a comedy starring Steve Carell to HBO, further establishing his reputation as a prolific and versatile creator in the television industry. Despite Hiaasen's extensive catalog of mystery novels, which have attracted numerous development attempts, Bad Monkey marks the first time one of his works has been adapted for television. One of his children's books, Hoot, was adapted into a feature film in 2006, but Bad Monkey represents a new chapter in the illustrious partnership between Hiaasen and television.
