Robert Downey Jr. developing detective drama for Apple TV

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Robert Downey Jr.'s Team Downey scored big with their Perry Mason series on HBO and Variety has the scoop that Team Downey will be diving into those small-screen waters once again with a detective drama which Apple has given a straight-to-series order.

Based on a Toronto Life article from Michael Lista titled "The Sting," the untitled* series "follows a frustrated Canadian detective who takes on a decades-old cold case in hopes of winning a confession and becoming a hero. The case quickly spirals out of control when the undercover cop attempts an elaborate sting, adding playacting cops, taxpayer resources, and an unexpected friendship with the peculiar target." Robert Downey Jr. and Susan Downey will executive produce, with Adam Perlman serving as writer and executive producer. Perlman is best known for penning episodes of Billions, The Good Wife, and The Newsroom. While Downey Jr. isn't expected to take on the leading role in the series, the word on the street is that he could potentially play a supporting role.

Speaking of Perry Mason, the HBO series was originally billed as a mini-series, but due to its popularity, the network decided to bring the series back for a second season. "It has been an exciting journey to work with the immensely talented team behind Perry Mason," said HBO programming EVP Francesca Orsi. "Viewers have relished being transported back in time to 1930’s Los Angeles each week, and we are thrilled to welcome the show back for a second season." The series stars Matthew Rhys (The Americans) as Mason, who, at this point in his life, is living pay-cheque to pay-cheque as a low-rent private investigator, all while being haunted by his wartime experiences in France and suffering the effects of a broken marriage.

*An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that the Apple TV series was titled The Sting, but the series is in fact untitled at this time.