Apple TV is working on a new series based on The Executioners, bringing back the story of the Bowden family and Max Cady. The show Cape Fear tells the story in a new way.
A darker and more paranoid retelling
In this series, we follow the Bowden family. Tom (and Anna) are attorneys who worked for opposing sides in Max Cady’s trial many years ago. Tom was the prosecutor. Anna was his defense attorney. Max Cady has spent many years in prison since that trial. However, after he is released from prison again, the war against the Bowden family will begin again.
The previous adaptations were centered around a single Bowden character. In the new series on Apple TV, both Tom and Anna are at the center of this new battle. They made decisions during the trial that are now making them targets of Max Cady.
In an interview with Empire, Antosca discussed the series. He called it “a darker version” of the prior versions.”It’s like you’ve seen the [other versions], then went to sleep and had a nightmare about it. And you’re bringing your own stuff to it and what’s in the atmosphere culturally. It’s like a nightmare remix.” She then added, “It’s a very paranoid show. We should either feel like we’re watching, voyeuristically—or feel paranoid that we’re being watched.“
The new adaptation shifts the dynamic between the lead characters. Earlier versions focused on just one member of the Bowden family being hunted by Max Cady. In this series, both Anna and Tom Bowden are at the heart of the conflict. The two lawyers actually worked on opposite sides of Cady’s trial years ago.
Tom was the prosecutor during the trial, while Anna served as Cady’s defense attorney. After years behind bars, Cady returns to go after the Bowden family once again. The choices made during that original case sit at the heart of the tension. The story plays out over a ten-episode season
This series also links back to earlier versions of the story. The 1991 film Cape Fear was directed by Martin Scorsese and featured Robert De Niro as Max Cady. That movie was actually a remake of the original 1962 version, which starred Robert Mitchum and Gregory Peck.
Scorsese is on board for the new project as an executive producer. Antosca mentioned that the filmmaker reviewed the scripts and provided notes throughout development. According to the showrunner, that feedback was instrumental in shaping parts of the show.
The new Cape Fear adaptation is set to premiere on Apple TV on June 5.
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