Apple TV+ has announced its newest dramatic series, Dear Edward. The series is based on The New York Times Best Sellers book of the same name by author Ann Napolitano. Written in 2020, the book follows a young boy struggling with guilt and survival.

The series will be produced by Apple Studios with executive producers Jeni Mulein, Ann Napolitano, and Jason Katims, the original head writer for the series Friday Night Lights. The first episode will also be directed by actor Fisher Stevens (Succession).

Dear Edward: The Plot

     Apple TV+

Twelve-year-old Edward Adler boards Flight 2977 headed to Los Angeles from New York City. However, before reaching their destination, the flight crashes. Everyone onboard dies in the crash except for Edward. Following his recuperation, Edward is sent to live with his Aunt Lacey and Uncle John. Edward is cautious about moving in with them but after being given a bedroom that was the house’s nursery (Lacey has suffered numerous miscarriages) Edward finds he is unable to sleep.

His aunt introduces him to their neighbor and her daughter Shay. The two children are immediately drawn to each other and Edward visits her and begins sleeping on her floor. This bonds the two of them, and they become fast friends.

One of the main pieces of the plot is that Edward, being the only survivor of the crash of Flight 2977, has become a celebrity. People want to be around him and believe him to possess special attributes. However, he does not want the spotlight, is unable to deal with the anxiety and pain that overwhelms him, and cannot understand why people are acting like they are.

Edward also learns about letters addressed to him well after the accident and how he deals with the knowledge that they were held from him for his own good. The journey of this young boy into an increasingly self-aware individual is a story that Apple TV+ is hoping audiences will not only relate to but will want to continue understanding as the series continues.

The story will center around Edward, his aunt and uncle, and the people around him as he begins to understand what the crash means to people, the connection they feel to him, and the nature of loss. The book takes place over the course of multiple years which means the possibility of more seasons should the show do well with viewers.

Dear Edward: The Cast

Dear Edward has managed to secure a well-known and well-respected cast. Where the novel found a large audience, actors have been anxious to be a part of this sure-to-be crowd-pleasing series. Edward Adler will be played by Colin O’Brien, whose credits include Mr. Harrigan’s Phone, but who will also be starring as the young Willy Wonka in the upcoming prequel movie Wonka and in the Halle Berry sci-fi drama The Mothership.

Edward’s Aunt Lacey will be played by Taylor Schilling, known primarily for her starring role in the series Orange is the New Black on Netflix. Since that time she has had recurring roles on numerous streaming shows such as The Bite, Pam & Tommy, and most recently Pantheon. Uncle John will be played by Carter Hudson. He has also primarily been involved in streaming series. He is best known for his most recent role as Teddy McDonald on the series Snowfall.

The role of Edward’s best friend Shay will be played by Eva Ariel Binder whose most recent credits include the show Stillwater and Super Giant Robot Brothers. She has been building her career ever since her break on Grey’s Anatomy in 2016.

Another name that has been associated with the series is Connie Britton who most recently appeared in the Netflix movie The Luckiest Girl Alive opposite Mila Kunis. She will be playing the role of Dee Dee, but it may only be an appearance in 2-3 episodes. Either way, her presence brings clout to this new series. Britton comes to the series having worked with Jason Katims on the series Friday Night Lights and was in the first season of The White Lotus.

Release Date

Dear Edward will be released on Apple TV+ on February 3. The streaming service has announced it will release the first three episodes immediately. Subsequent episodes will be released on a weekly basis.

Everything Else We Know

     Penguin Random House

One of the questions being asked is how closely the series will follow its source material. Many shows based on books have found that their popularity requires further material that must be developed by showrunners in an effort to keep viewers. If the goal is to prolong the series by adding content, Apple TV+ may find themselves losing their book-reading audience but banking on the series pulling in those new to the story. There is also the possibility that they will take the plot of the book and simply extend it so that only certain aspects are used during the first ten episodes, leaving viewers with a cliffhanger that will then be extended into season two.

Regardless of how it plays out, the popularity of the source material will definitely have people talking. Often, shows like this send books back to the bestseller list and authors find that this interest in their work yields previously unplanned sequels. We may yet see more content from author/executive producer Ann Napolitano.