Apple TV is heading into darker territory this fall with “Nocturne,” a gripping new 10-episode crime drama led by Liev Schreiber and Zazie Beetz and starring acclaimed British actor Stephen Graham. Premiering globally Friday, October 30, 2026, the highly anticipated series brings together a formidable cast, bestselling source material and an accomplished creative team for a psychological hunt where family, loyalty and survival collide.
Apple TV has unveiled the official trailer and key art, giving audiences their first extended look at a story inspired by “The Sandman,” the internationally bestselling crime novel from Lars Kepler.
A Detective Searching for a Quieter Life
At the center of “Nocturne” is Jonah Lynn, portrayed by Schreiber, an ex-soldier who has built a second career as a homicide detective.
After years of confronting violence on the streets of Philadelphia, Jonah makes a move to a small Western Pennsylvania town, hoping to exchange the intensity of big-city homicide investigations for something resembling peace.
But the quiet life he imagined does not last.
Jonah and those closest to him become threatened by Jurek Walter, a calculating serial killer portrayed by Stephen Graham. As danger closes in on the community and Jonah’s family, the detective finds himself pulled back into the kind of darkness he had hoped to leave behind.
The stakes become increasingly personal when the desperate search for Jurek’s last missing victim leads Jonah to involve his surrogate daughter, FBI Agent Saga Bauer, played by Zazie Beetz.
Her confrontation with Jurek places Jonah in an impossible position and raises one of the drama’s defining questions: How far will someone go to protect the people they love?
Three Powerful Performers Lead the Story
The combination of Schreiber, Beetz and Graham gives “Nocturne” a compelling foundation.
Schreiber, who also serves as an executive producer, takes on a character shaped by military experience, police work and the emotional weight of protecting his family.
Beetz brings another layer to the drama as Saga Bauer, an FBI agent whose relationship with Jonah moves beyond professional connections into the territory of family.
Graham steps into the chilling role of Jurek Walter, positioning the actor at the center of the series’ psychological battle.
The ensemble also includes Bill Camp, Rory Culkin, Chrissy Metz, Poorna Jagannathan and Gary Carr, creating a deep supporting cast around the central investigation.
From International Bestseller to Apple TV Drama
“Nocturne” draws its inspiration from the work of Lars Kepler, the pen name of Swedish writing duo Alexandra Coelho Ahndoril and Alexander Ahndoril.
Their Joona Linna crime series has become an international publishing phenomenon. Across 10 published novels, the books have sold approximately 20 million copies worldwide, been translated into 40 languages and distributed across more than 170 territories.
Transforming that literary success for television is an experienced creative team.
BAFTA Award winner Rowan Joffe created “Nocturne” for television and serves as writer, executive producer and co-showrunner. John Hlavin developed the project for television and also writes, executive produces and co-showruns.
Emmy, Peabody and DGA Award winner Tim Van Patten directs the first two episodes and serves as an executive producer, helping establish the visual and dramatic atmosphere audiences will experience from the premiere.
Major Production Team Behind “Nocturne”
The series is produced for Apple TV by A+E Studios in association with Range Studios.
Beetz serves as an executive producer through her Sleepy Poppy production company, while Schreiber executive produces in addition to starring.
The extensive executive producing team also includes Lars Kepler, Øystein Karlsen, David Rysdahl, Dorothy Fortenberry and Niclas Salomonsson. Barry Jossen and Tana Jamieson executive produce for A+E Studios, while Heather Kadin, Peter Micelli and Jack Whigham executive produce for Range Studios.
October Premiere Begins a Weekly Mystery
Apple TV will launch “Nocturne” globally with its first two episodes on October 30. Following the premiere, a new episode will arrive every Friday, with the season continuing through December 25, 2026.
The weekly rollout gives viewers time to examine clues, relationships and motivations as Jonah, Saga and Jurek move deeper into an increasingly dangerous psychological confrontation.
Key Takeaways
- “Nocturne” premieres globally October 30, 2026, on Apple TV.
- The 10-episode drama launches with two episodes before moving to weekly Friday releases.
- Liev Schreiber and Zazie Beetz lead the series, with Stephen Graham starring as serial killer Jurek Walter.
- The drama is inspired by Lars Kepler’s internationally bestselling crime novel “The Sandman.”
- The supporting cast includes Bill Camp, Rory Culkin, Chrissy Metz, Poorna Jagannathan and Gary Carr.
- At its heart, “Nocturne” explores family, obsession, protection and the dangerous choices made when a killer turns an investigation deeply personal.
With an internationally recognized literary foundation, an award-winning creative team and three commanding performers at its center, “Nocturne” arrives this fall as a dark new addition to Apple TV’s expanding slate of original dramas.
Report Mark Winkler
