Apples Never Fall is the latest of Lianne Moriarty’s bestselling novels to get the big screen treatment with Heydey Television turning the novel into a TV series.
The 480-page New York Times bestseller is the author’s ninth adult fiction book (she’s also written three children’s books) and her third to be adapted for TV.
Given the immense success of Moriarty’s previous book-to-screen adaptations, including Big Little Lies, which famously starred Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon, and Nine Perfect Strangers (also starring Kidman), it’s safe to say that we’re expecting big things from Apples Never Fall.
Plus, the television series was filmed right here in Australia. While Moriarty’s novel is set in Sydney, filming took place in sunny Queensland.
With the series finally here, let’s give you the rundown on the cast, where to watch it and what to expect from the TV adaptation.
What Is Apples Never Fall About?
Apples Never Falls follows the tennis-obsessed Delaneys who, from the outside, appear to be an enviably happy family. Stan and Joy Delaney are the parents of four adult children and have been married for several decades. The couple have recently sold their successful tennis academy and are enjoying their golden years.
However, when Joy suddenly disappears and the police believe Stan is the prime suspect, the children are forced to re-examine their parent’s marriage and face unresolved family issues from long ago.
Like Moriarty’s other novels, the story is written from multiple points of view and is packed full of exciting twists and turns. You can get your own copy here.
Is Apples Never Fall Based On A True Story?
While Apples Never Fall is fiction, Moriarty has admitted the story is inspired by some real events.
In an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald, the author said that she drew a lot of inspiration from true-crime podcasts she listened to during lockdown.
“Sadly there are multiple cases where a woman goes missing and the husband is the chief suspect in her murder,” Moriarty told The Sydney Morning Herald, “He is invariably described as a loving father and that just got me thinking about how would I feel if my mother went missing and everyone was saying my father had possibly murdered her.”
Moriarty has also spoken about being inspired by certain news stories, telling Penguin in 2021, “There was one particular newspaper article I read about an elderly couple who let a young woman into their house, who said she was a domestic violence victim and she then committed some crime.”
“I was intrigued by the idea of the poor elderly couple thinking they were doing the right thing by letting her in.”
Apples Never Fall TV Series Adaptation
The Apples Never Fall novel has been adapted into a miniseries for Heydey television, which is part of part of Universal International Studios (a division of Universal Studio Group). It is available to stream on Binge.
The series sees Melanie Marnich take the helm as writer, showrunner and executive producer while David Heyman (Gravity, The Marriage Portrait, Once Upon A Time In Hollywood), Albert Page, Jillian Share and Moriarty herself serve as executive producers.
Chris Sweeney (The Tourist, Back to Life) also directed a number of episodes, including the first.
Apples Never Fall TV Series Cast
The adaptation sees Annette Bening, who is best known for The Kids Are All Right and Being Julia, take on the role of Joy Delaney while Bening’s on-screen husband, Stan Delaney is played by Jurassic Park’s Sam Neill.
Jake Lacey, who’s best known for his role as Shane in The White Lotus, plays the second-oldest Delaney child, Troy Delaney, with Glow’s Alison Brie stars as the oldest Delaney child and black sheep of the family, Amy Delaney.
Conor Merrigan-Turner and Essie Randles play the youngest two Delaney children; Logan and Brooke Delaney.
Apples Never Fall Release Date
Apples Never Fall is ready to stream on Binge from March 14, 2024.
Subscribe to Binge here with a 7-day free trial to start watching.
