Ben Stiller Sets New Apple TV Crime Series With Major Difference From Severance

3 weeks ago 13

Published May 22, 2026, 2:39 PM EDT

Adam Bentz is a senior news writer at ScreenRant, where he has authored nearly 5,000 articles, including features and lists. He studied creative writing and English with a concentration in screenwriting at Southern New Hampshire University and interned as a writer/journalist for The Borgen Project, an influential organization that fights global poverty.

However, one of his proudest achievements is editing a Leonardo DiCaprio freakout compilation that has over 150K views on YouTube. Adam also fancies himself an amateur film critic on his personal website.

This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.

Ben Stiller is returning to Apple TV for a new crime series that marks one major difference from Severance.

Stiller serves as an executive producer and primary director of Severance, one of Apple TV's most-watched and critically acclaimed series, receiving a total of 41 Emmy nominations over its two seasons, including Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Directing twice for Stiller. Now, his next series will keep him with the streamer beyond Severance season 3, expected in mid-to-late 2027.

According to Deadline, Ben Stiller is teaming up with Mike Judge (Silicon Valley), Steve Hely (Common Side Effects), and Dave King (Parks and Recreation) for a new comedy series, Protective Custody, which is in development at Apple TV with the platform aiming for a full series order.

As opposed to Severance, on which he serves as a primary director and executive producer, Stiller will be starring in and executive producing Protective Custody, marking his first leading role in a comedy series, which "will follow a disgraced financier accused of massive fraud who is thrown into protective custody, where he must navigate prison politics, salvage his reputation, and confront the consequences of his actions while awaiting trial."

More to come...