Gugu Mbatha-Raw is getting her own Apple TV+ show. The “Morning Show” alumna will follow up her supporting role on the streamer’s flagship series with “Surface,” a psychological thriller that’s received a straight-to-series, Variety reports.
From writer and executive producer Veronica West, “Surface” will consist of eight episodes and is expected to kick off production next year.
The series reunites Mbatha-Raw with her “Morning Show” co-star Reese Witherspoon, who is among its exec producers. West and Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine partner Lauren Neustadter are also exec producing. Mbatha-Raw will co-executive produce.
Mbatha-Raw starred alongside Mackenzie Davis in the beloved, Emmy-winning “Black Mirror” episode “San Junipero.” “A Wrinkle in Time,” “Fast Color,” and “Beyond the Lights” are among her film credits. She was last seen in “Summerland” and “Misbehaviour.” She’s said it is “an actor’s responsibility” to work on things that “help the culture to evolve, and provoke conversations.” The “Belle” star explained, “It’s about keeping your soul nourished. About being able to hold your head up and have a conversation about your work. I don’t want to be a product.”
West developed Hulu’s gender-swapped “High Fidelity” reboot led by Zoë Kravitz. She’ll serve as an exec producer on Showtime’s upcoming “Dexter” revival. Her other credits include “Chicago Fire,” “Hart of Dixie,” and “Ugly Betty.”