Apple TV+ series Cape Fear adds Ron Perlman among other stars to its stacked cast

There are titles that keep coming back, and Cape Fear is one of them. The story first appeared in John D. MacDonald’s novel The Executioners and was later turned into films in 1962 and 1991. Now it moves again, this time into television, with Apple TV+ taking the lead. The platform has been gathering a long list of names, and Deadline confirmed that Ron Perlman, Ted Levine, and Margarita Levieva are joining in recurring roles.

The announcement feels different from a regular casting note. Production is already underway, and the idea of stretching the narrative over ten episodes changes how the tension will play out. It is not only a return to a known plot but also an attempt to give it a new rhythm on screen. That is the part that stands out most at this stage.

Expanding the cast

Deadline reported that Ron Perlman, recognized for projects like Hellboy and Sons of Anarchy, is stepping into a major recurring role. Ted Levine, remembered from Monk and Big Sky, is also part of the latest update. Margarita Levieva enters as well, taking over a role after Clara Wong left the lineup.

These additions connect with a central trio that was already drawing attention: Javier Bardem as Max Cady, Amy Adams as Anna Bowden, and Patrick Wilson as Tom Bowden. Apple TV+ described the setup clearly: Cady, a convicted killer, is released from prison and returns to the lives of the Bowdens, both attorneys, turning stability into a threat. It is a logline that remains faithful to the original premise while being framed for a series format.

Cape Fear production with strong names

Behind the scenes, the weight of the names involved is hard to ignore. Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg are listed as executive producers, alongside Bardem, Adams, and Alex Hedlund. The series was created and written by Nick Antosca, who also acts as showrunner, with the pilot directed by Morten Tyldum.

Cape Fear is produced by UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group, together with Amblin Television. Antosca develops it under his overall deal with UCP, in place since 2017. The official description presents the project as a Hitchcockian thriller and, at the same time, an examination of the fascination with true crime in modern America. It is a tone statement that shapes expectations more than any plot detail.

Familiar faces in the lineup

The cast expands beyond the leads. Confirmed names include CCH Pounder, Anna Baryshnikov, Jamie Hector, Lily Collias, Joe Anders, and Malia Pyles. Their exact roles have not been disclosed, but the presence of such a range points toward an ensemble design.

Leviev­a’s inclusion is notable. Her recent work covers Daredevil: Born Again, The Acolyte, and The Deuce. Deadline underlined that she comes in replacing Clara Wong, showing that the production has been adjusting as filming moves forward. The flow of casting news makes it clear that the series is still defining its shape while cameras roll.

Echoes of earlier adaptations

The legacy of Cape Fear weighs heavily. The 1962 film starred Gregory Peck. In 1991, Scorsese directed another version, with Robert De Niro in the role of Cady and Spielberg among the producers. Those films carried the story into two different eras, each time amplifying the dread of a criminal shadowing a family.

The series connects back to those versions but opens a wider canvas. With ten episodes, there is space to expand on moments that earlier films had to condense. The central theme remains unchanged: the Bowdens under siege by the reappearance of Max Cady and the slow burn of fear that follows.

Production timeline

Filming began in Atlanta in April 2025 and is expected to continue until October of the same year. The season is set at ten episodes, confirmed directly by Apple TV+. No release date has been announced. That part of the schedule stays unspoken for now, leaving viewers to wait for the official word.

What to expect

With the addition of Perlman, Levine, and Levieva, the project widens its scope. Each of them arrives with a history of strong performances in television and film, which fits the kind of intense drama Cape Fear aims to deliver. The presence of Scorsese and Spielberg among the executive producers provides another layer of attention.

Antosca’s leadership signals a continuation of his interest in suspense-driven narratives, and that influence should be visible across the series. The creative and production teams are positioned to give the adaptation a balance of legacy and reinvention, using the extra time a series provides.

Conclusion

Cape Fear, in its Apple TV+ version, stands out as one of the notable projects currently in development. It carries the memory of earlier adaptations and adds the credibility of an impressive cast and renowned producers. While the premiere date is still unknown, the combination of confirmed names and ongoing production makes it clear that the series is moving steadily toward release. As Deadline reported, the cast continues to grow, and with each update, the anticipation grows as well.