Patrick Wilson opens up on how Martin Scorsese inspired his upcoming TV show Cape Fear

The upcoming Cape Fear TV show has taken a few pages out of Martin Scorsese's book, Patrick Wilson has revealed, as the director of the 1991 film made much impact on the show that is being made in the franchise. Speaking to Collider, the Conjuring actor spoke about developments on the show, where he is all set to play the role of Tom Bowden.

“Cinematically, we’re leaning on a lot of Scorsese-type stuff, real nods to that film, but it’s an expanded world. That’s what’s so great about that, not to sound like an executive, but the IP is that it comes from a book, then a movie, and then, 30 years later, another movie, and now, 30 years later, a TV show. New characters, new storylines.”

Not just that; Wilson also added how Scorsese's Cape Fear had an influence on him, as he praised it's technical precision and filmmaking perfection. Further he gave fans some more details about the show, giving assurance that it will live up to it's predecessors' legacy as he added,

“The Scorsese movie really expanded from the Robert Mitchum-Gregory Peck film, right? Because we’re now into 10 episodes, there’s stuff from the book, The Executioners. I think people will be pleasantly surprised. I was surprised, but I think they’ll be really, really interested. We all dug in and I think brought our A-game. There are some fantastic directors, and Nick Antosca is a great showrunner and writer, and we’re excited.”

More details about Cape Fear

Cape Fear is returning in a new form, reshaped as a tense American thriller series from writer and showrunner Nick Antosca. Instead of retelling the story beat for beat, the show pulls from John D. MacDonald’s novel The Executioners and the 1962 and 1991 films while building something more expansive. Eat the Cat, Universal Content Productions, and Amblin Television are behind the project, giving the series a heavyweight creative pedigree.

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At the center of the story is Max Cady, newly released from prison and determined to make his former public defender pay for concealing evidence that could have changed his fate. Javier Bardem takes on the role of Cady, while Amy Adams plays Anna Bowden, the wife of Patrick Wilson’s Tom Bowden, an attorney whose life unravels under Cady’s shadow. CCH Pounder rounds out the main cast. Recurring roles go to Jullian Dulce Vida, Anna Baryshnikov, Jamie Hector, Margarita Levieva, Lily Collias, Joe Anders, Malia Pyles, Samantha Clifford, Ron Perlman, Ted Levine, and Patrick Fischler.

Scorsese and Steven Spielberg serve as executive producers on Cape Fear, giving the ten-episode season much creative force. Filming started in Atlanta on April 30, 2025 and wrapped on October 15, 2025, and more details about the release dates will be revealed soon.

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