Apple TV has ordered Beat the Reaper, a new original series that blends drama and comedy in a high-concept narrative built around intense character stakes and narrative urgency. The dramedy stars Will Poulter — known for his work on Black Mirror and The Bear — who also executive produces the project alongside Sam Catlin, the showrunner and executive producer behind series like Sugar, Preacher, and Breaking Bad.
Based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Josh Bazell, the series follows Dr. Peter Brown, an intern at Boston’s worst hospital whose medical talent is matched only by the troubled past he’d prefer to keep hidden. Over the course of a chaotic eight-hour shift, Brown must evade government agents, mob hitmen, quack surgeons, and a trail of dead gang members if he hopes to beat the reaper.
Star Power and Creative Leadership
Poulter’s role as both lead actor and executive producer signals Apple’s confidence in the series’ potential to resonate with audiences who appreciate character-driven storytelling with sharp tonal shifts. Sam Catlin’s involvement as showrunner and executive producer brings experience from critically acclaimed series, further anchoring Beat the Reaper in Apple TV’s broader strategy of mixing genre energy with narrative depth.
Co-produced by Apple Studios and New Regency, the project also includes executive producers Arnon Milchan, Yariv Milchan, and Natalie Lehmann for New Regency, reflecting a collaborative production approach between seasoned creative teams.
A Dramatic Premise With Comedy Undercurrents
While rooted in medical drama and personal tension, Beat the Reaper infuses moments of dark humor, leveraging Brown’s extraordinary challenges and morally complex obstacles to explore how a flawed protagonist navigates life-and-death stakes with sharp wit and resilience. The series’ tone and pacing appear designed to appeal to viewers who enjoy genre hybrids that balance intensity with comedic relief.
No official release date has been announced yet, but the series’ announcement expands Apple TV’s growing slate of original content, which continues to include award-recognized dramas, comedies, and genre series across its streaming platform worldwide.
