Ben Stiller and Mike Judge are developing a comedy series for Apple TV, Variety has learned.
The series, currently titled “Protected Custody,” will star Stiller as “a disgraced financier accused of massive fraud and thrown into protective custody, where he must navigate prison politics, restore his reputation, and face the consequences of his actions while awaiting trial,” according to the official logline.
Judge (“Silicon Valley,” “King of the Hill”) is a co-writer on the series along with Steve Herry (“Common Side Effects,” “Veep,” “The Office”) and Dave King (“Parks and Recreation,” “The English Teacher”). All three are executive producers and co-showrunners, with Judge also serving as director. Stiller will star in Red Hour and also serve as an executive producer. Red Hour’s John Lesher, Propagate Content’s Ben Silverman, Howard Owens, and Rodney Ferrell will also serve as executive producers. Michael Rothenberg and Ollie Obst will serve as executive producers for 3 Arts Entertainment. Nanette Burstein will also serve as executive producer.
If “Protective Custody” is made into a series, it would be Stiller’s second lead role on Apple TV. He will also star in the series “The Off Weeks” for the tech company’s streaming division. He is also an executive producer on Apple TV’s hit series “Severance,” which is currently preparing for season two. Other projects include the documentary “Stiller & Meara: Nothing is Lost” and the upcoming feature-length comedy “The Dink.”
Judge, Helley, and King are currently collaborating on the Adult Swim series “Common Side Effect,” with the first season airing in 2025 and a second season currently in preparation.
Mr. Stiller is repped by WME, ID and Sloane Offer. The judge is repped by WME, 3 Arts Entertainment and Morris Yorn. Mr. King is repped by 3 Arts Entertainment and Ginsburg Daniels Callis. Helly is repped by WME, 3 Arts Entertainment and Ginsburg Daniels Caris.
