Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson are comparing Oscar records in the first trailer for Brothers, the down-and-dirty Apple TV comedy series in which they play fictionalized versions of themselves.
McConaughey, an Oscar winner for Dallas Buyers Club (2013), has trouble remembering the term for someone who loses an award, so he asks his friend (and possible brother), “What do you call it when you don’t [win]?”
Harrelson gives a grumbling response: “Nominee.” Watch the trailer:
Read on for everything to know about Brothers.
THE PLOT
Here’s the official logline, per Apple TV: “Hollywood actors Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson have been best friends for years — but a shocking family secret suggests their connection might be closer. After Woody’s daughter’s engagement falls apart, he loads up the family and heads to Austin for an extended stay at Matthew’s ranch. But what begins as a healing getaway quickly spirals when Matthew’s mother, Ma Mac, accidentally lets slip a long-buried secret that the two friends might actually be brothers. As Woody turns the ranch upside down in pursuit of the truth, Matthew finds himself juggling an entirely different identity crisis: a potential run for Governor of Texas.”
THE CAST
Joining McConaughey and Harrelson in the Brothers ensemble are Natalie Martinez (Valentina McConaughey), Brittany Ishibashi (Joy Harrelson), Nolan Almeida, Ella Grace Helton, Noah Carganilla, Highdee Kuan, Oona Yaffe, and Holland Taylor (Ma Mac).
THE RELEASE DATE
The brothers come home on Sept. 23 with the first two of eight episodes. Subsequent episodes air every Wednesday until the Nov. 4 finale.
THE CREATIVES
Lee Eisenberg, McConaughey, and Harrelson are executive producers, with Eisenberg serving as showrunner. Additional EPs include Natalie Sandy, David West Read, Trish Hofmann, Bill Bost, Jason Winer, David Finkel, Brett Baer, and Jeremy Plager. Trent O’Donnell directs multiple episodes including the pilot.
AWARDS PROSPECTS
Brothers should be considered an early awards player at the upcoming winter season and the 2027 Emmys. As the trailer reminds viewers, McConaughey and Harrelson are awards favorites, with the former being an Oscar winner and the latter being a three-time nominee for The People vs. Larry Flynt, The Messenger, and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
At the Emmy Awards, both stars were nominated for starring in and producing the landmark first seaons of True Detective, while Harrelson previously took home a trophy for Cheers in 1989. Taylor also has an Emmy on her mantelpiece for her supporting turn on The Practice in 1999.
