David Farnor | On 21, Nov 2021

Matt Dillon and Rupert Friend have joined the cast of Apple TV+ series High Desert.

The comedy from Patricia Arquette and Ben Stiller follows Peggy (Arquette), a former addict who decides to make a new start after the death of her beloved mother, with whom she lived in the small desert town of Yucca Valley, California, and makes a life-changing decision to become a private investigator.

Arquette will exec-produce the half-hour show, alongside Stiller, who exec-produces through his Red Hour Films alongside Nicky Weinstock. Jay Roach will direct the series.

First announced over a year ago, the show’s expanding its cast. Matt Dillon will play Denny, Peggy’s ex, a charming parolee and a relentless operator. Rupert Friend will play Guru Bob, a former anchorman, who, after a trauma, rebrands himself as a mystic desert personality. I May Destroy You’s Weruche Opia will play Carol, Peggy’s best friend and fiancé of a doctor. Fargo’s Brad Garrett will play Bruce, a private investigator who who becomes Peggy’s employer. Bernadette Peters will play Rosalyn, Peggy’s mother, while Christine Taylor will play Dianne, Peggy’s buttoned-up sister. Also joining the cast is Eric Petersen (Kevin Can F*ck Himself) in an unknown recurring role.

The series is created and written by Nancy Fichman (Nurse Jackie, Damages), Katie Ford (Miss Congeniality) and Jennifer Hoppe (Grace and Frankie), who will also serve as executive producers. Molly Madden and Tom Lassally are also exec-producing on behalf of 3 Arts Entertainment.

 

High Desert: Apple TV+ orders comedy from Patricia Arquette and Ben Stiller

24th September 2020

Apple TV+ has ordered High Desert, a new comedy series from Patricia Arquette and Ben Stiller.

High Desert follows Peggy (Arquette), a former addict who decides to make a new start after the death of her beloved mother, with whom she lived in the small desert town of Yucca Valley, California, and makes a life-changing decision to become a private investigator.

Arquette, who recently starred in The Act and Escape at Dannemora on the small screen, will also exec-produce the half-hour show. It reunites her with DGA Award winner Ben Stiller, who helmed Escape at Dannemora. Stiller will direct the first episode of the new series and executive produce through his Red Hour Films alongside Nicky Weinstock.

High Desert also marks Apple’s second partnership with Arquette and Stiller, following the series order for Severance, an upcoming workplace thriller starring and executive produced by Arquette and Adam Scott, and directed and executive produced by Stiller.

The series is created and written by Nancy Fichman (Nurse Jackie, Damages), Katie Ford (Miss Congeniality) and Jennifer Hoppe (Grace and Frankie), who will also serve as executive producers. Molly Madden and Tom Lassally are also exec-producing on behalf of 3 Arts Entertainment.

It joins a number of other star-studded upcoming Apple Original series, including a new untitled Team Downey and Adam Perlman drama series, Masters of the Air, a new limited drama series executive produced by Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Television, and Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman’s Playtone.

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