The list is chock-a-block with bold-face names.
In June, Apple hired Jamie Erlicht and Zack Van Amburg, former co-presidents of Sony Pictures Television, and armed them (reportedly) with a $1 billion war chest. Here's what the guys behind "Breaking Bad" and "The Crown" have signed so far:
- Jan 25, 2018: Unnamed series directed by Damien Chazelle, Oscar-winning writer and director of “La La Land.” Produced by Jordan Horowitz and Fred Berger, also of "La La Land."
- Jan. 17, 2018: Unnamed 10-episode series starring SNL veteran Kristen Wiig based on Curtis Sittenfeld's short story collection "You Think It, I'll Say It" and produced by Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine media company.
- Jan. 3, 2018: "Are You Sleeping," a thriller drama series starring Oscar-winner Octavia Spencer ("The Help," "Hidden Figures") written by Nichelle Tramble Spellman ("The Good Wife," "Justified") and produced by Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine.
- Dec. 15, 2017: Unnamed space drama series written by Ronald D. Moore, creator of "Battlestar Gallactica" and produced by Matt Wolpert and Ben Nedivi from "Fargo."
- Nov. 8, 2017: Two-season morning TV drama series starring Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston based on Brian Stelter's gossipy "Top of the Morning."
- Oct. 10, 2017: A 10-episode revival of Steve Spielberg's "Amazing Stories" series. Bryan Fuller, whose credits include “Hannibal,” “American Gods” and “Heroes,” will serve as executive producer.
My take: Apple is buying the kind of prestige Hollywood likes to sell. Let's hope it makes good TV.
“It opened a lot of doors for me,” Ms. Witherspoon said in an interview this past week. “People wanted to be in business with me as a producer in the TV space. My mission was to create television for other women, for other female storytellers that are actresses, other directors and other writers. I think it just clicked in people’s minds.”