Cape Fear Delivers First Look at Javier Bardem’s Max Cady and Release Date

Apple TV’s upcoming ‘Cape Fear’ series, starring Javier Bardem, Amy Adams and Patrick Wilson, will premiere with two episodes on June 5. The footage was revealed at the Apple TV 2026 press day on February 3, as well as an in-room-only teaser. Creator and showrunner Nick Antosca moderated a panel with Wilson and Wilson.

The 10-episode drama series is based on John D. MacDonald’s 1957 novel “The Executioners” and Martin Scorsese’s 1991 film “Cape Fear,” a remake of Gregory Peck’s 1962 adaptation of the novel. Scorsese is executive producer of the new series, as is Steven Spielberg, who produced Scorsese’s film adaptation.

Antosca introduced the panel by talking about how much Scorsese’s film scared him – which Wilson and Adams agreed – saying, “there’s a kind of feverish energy to it,” and “it’s southern, it’s swampy – it’s like a nightmare.” Antosca said he didn’t want to spoil any of the twists, but that the original story had been “reimagined.”

In this version of the story, which, according to an official description, explores “America’s obsession with true crime in the 21st century,” “a storm brews for happily married lawyers Anna (Adams) and Tom Bowden (Wilson) when Max Cady (Bardem), the infamous killer they put behind bars, is released from prison – and he wants revenge.” The ensemble cast also includes CCH Pounder, Joe Anders, Lily Collias, Jamie Hector, Malia Pyles, Anna Baryshnikov, Ron Perlman, Ted Levine and Margarita Levieva.

Antosca asked Adams and Wilson how they captured the story’s “elemental terror,” and they talked about parents trying to protect their children at all costs — “period,” Adams said.

Adams said Bardem brought his “natural charisma” to the role of Max Cady, made iconic in the films of Robert Mitchum and Robert DeNiro. But Bardem put a spin on the villain: Adams said, “He also brings a lot of vulnerability, and there’s so much devastation in this betrayal. I’m looking forward to you guys seeing it.”

Antosca believes the Scorsese film fits firmly into the horror genre, a tone that also inspired the series. “For me, the first moment the show is about ambient anxiety,” Antosca said. “And it reflects the atmosphere of life in 2026, with its uncertainties, ambiguities and paranoia.”

In addition to Scorsese and Spielberg, executive producers include Antosca and Alex Hedlund via Eat the Cat; Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey for Spielberg’s Amblin Television banner; Bardem; Adams; and Morten Tyldum, who also served as the pilot’s director. The series was developed and produced through Universal Studio Group’s Universal Content Productions, where Antosca has had an overall deal since 2017.

Apple TV also provided a first look at the characters of Bardem, Adams and Wilson. See the photos below.