Ben Stiller Sets Career First With Upcoming Apple TV Comedy Series

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The actor is well-known for his film work, but he hasn’t yet led a comedy TV show. Now, that’s about to change, with a little help from Mike Judge, the creator of Beavis and Butt-Head.

Ben Stiller is teaming up with Steve Hely (known for Common Side Effects) and Dave King (Parks and Recreation) to create a new comedy series for Apple TV+. The show, currently titled Protective Custody, is close to being greenlit. Stiller will star in the lead role, which is his first time headlining a comedy series. Apple has been searching for a perfect project for Stiller to lead, following their successful collaboration on the drama Severance and other ventures.

Protective Custody Is Hogan’s Heroes Meets The Office

The new comedy series, Protective Custody, is being compared to a mix of Hogan’s Heroes and The Office. Ben Stiller will play a wealthy financier who’s been accused of fraud and sent to protective custody while he awaits trial. The show will follow his attempts to survive prison life, repair his image, and deal with the fallout from his actions.

Ben Stiller will star in and executive produce the series with John Lesher through his Red Hour production company. Director Francesca Judge will also executive produce alongside partners Hely and King. Joining them as executive producers are Ben Silverman, Howard Owens, and Rodney Ferrell from Propagate Content, as well as Michael Rotenberg and Oly Obst of 3 Arts Entertainment, and Academy Award nominee Nanette Burstein.

Ben Stiller’s Apple TV Collaborations Continue

Ben Stiller has done a lot of work with Apple TV, including directing and executive producing the hit show Severance. He also used Apple TV to release Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost, a well-received documentary about his parents, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara. Plus, he’s starring in the upcoming Apple TV pickleball comedy The Dink with Jake Johnson and Mary Steenburgen.

I’m so excited to hear that Jon Hamm is going to be a big part of this new Apple TV series, The Off Weeks! From what I’ve read, he’s playing a recently divorced professor who’s really trying to manage everything when his kids are with him – those are his ‘on weeks’. But when he doesn’t have custody, during his ‘off weeks’, he starts a relationship with this really intriguing woman. It sounds like a really compelling story!

Ben Stiller is known for his roles in many popular comedies, including favorites like There’s Something About Mary, Zoolander, and Tropic Thunder. He’s also famous for the Meet the Parents series, with a fourth movie, Focker-in-Law, coming soon. Early in his career, Stiller starred in and helped direct The Cable Guy, a Jim Carrey film that gained a dedicated following after a slow start at the box office.

Protective Custody does not yet have a set premiere date on Apple TV+.

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2026-05-23 00:09