Annette Bening to Star in Peacock Limited Series 'Apples Never Fall' from 'Big Little Lies' Writer

by Darian Scalamoni

    Back in February, Apples Never Fall was announced to be getting a limited series adaptation and though I was excited about that project in general, the actress they brought in to lead the show has brought my anticipation through the roof. According to a report from Variety, four-time Academy Award nominee Annette Bening (American Beauty, 20th Century Women) has been cast as family matriarch Joy Delaney in the series.

    Apples Never Fall is the famed novel that was written by Liane Moriarty, whose stories have become ripe for television adaptation over the years. Moriarty also wrote Big Little Lies and Nine Perfect Strangers, which were adapted for HBO and Hulu respectively in recent years. The series centers on the Delaney family who appear to be a very respectable on the outside but that goes into question. Just as Joy and her husband Stan are getting ready to sell their famed tennis academy and head into retirement after decades of marriage, Joy disappears leaving their four adult children to take a deeper look into their parents' marriage and family history. It sounds to be a perfect limited series mysterious take for Peacock as they move into prestige territory with starry bids for awards contention. Melanie Marnich (Big Love, The Affair) will pen the adaptation with Chris Sweeney acting as director for the project.

    Bening is a massive get for the show as she'll appear in her first major television role of her career. Bening has been nominated for an Oscar four separate times for her performances in The Kids Are All Right, Being Julia, American Beauty and The Grifters. She most recently appeared in the latest Hercule Poirot adventure Death on the Nile as well as the Paramount+ exclusive film Jerry and Marge Go Large opposite Bryan Cranston. Bening will next star in Nyad, the true story of 64-year-old marathon swimmer who attempts to become the first person ever to swim from Cuba to Florida. She also appears in Chris Pine's directorial debut Poolman alongside Pine, DeWanda Wise and Danny DeVito.

    What are your thoughts on Apples Never Fall? Who would you like to see join Annette Bening in the cast for the limited series for Peacock? Let us know in the comment section!