'The Gold's Jack Lowden to Lead Apple's Untitled 'Berlin Noir' Adapation

Apple TV+ is doubling down on its burgeoning line-up of British-written gritty thriller adaptations. The latest addition to the investigations is an adaptation of Philip Kerr's Berlin Noir series. The project, which has been in various stages of development hell since the pandemic, will begin at the end of the series (because when has Apple done things in logical order?) with the final novel, Metropolis, which details protagonist Bernie Gunther's first case. First announced as heading into production in April 2025, the series has apparently found its Gunther in Slow Horses' Jack Lowden.

Multiple outlets are reporting that Lowden, who will next star on PBS in The Gold, will take on the role of Gunther. (Apple TV+ has not officially announced the casting, and did not respond to queries by press time.) The news is surprising, since Lowden's current role in Slow Horses (also streaming on Apple TV+) would seemingly preclude starring in another series. However, with Slow Horses' production a full two seasons ahead of itself — Season 5 debuts in September 2025; Season 7 is currently filming — and the series rapidly running out of novels to adapt, perhaps the announcement is being held until Slow Horses is ready to announce its conclusion.

If so, a Berlin Noir series would fill the spot left by Slow Horses nicely. Metropolis is a 1920s-era set story, released posthumously in 2019, and would serve as a fine introduction to a series with the potential to run at least 10 seasons. (Kerr passed away from cancer in 2018, so Metropolis has the distinction of being both the first and last book in the 14-novel series.) 

There's no logline for the series as yet, but the press release states it will follow the plot of the first novel, Metropolis. Here is the overall book series synopsis:

The Berlin Noir book series revolved around iconic detective Bernie Gunther; the adaptation begins with Metropolis and his origin story in 1928. Gunther is a police officer, newly promoted to the intimidating and elite Berlin Murder Squad, and must investigate what seems to be a serial killer targeting victims on the fringes of society. His Berlin is a city of unprecedented freedom and dizzying turbulence, the Nazis just a distant nightmare waiting in the wings. With the political and social world shifting to a new norm, we see Bernie fighting for truth, whatever the cost. 

Lowden is the only cast member attached to the series thus far. Apple TV+ will most likely confirm more details closer to the start of filming (and also probably in conjunction with Slow Horses' next season's debut in September 2025). However, the series boasts a formidable team behind the camera, with Wolf Hall's Peter Straughan (who recently won an Oscar for the screenplay of Conclave) serving as showrunner and penning the scripts. Director Tom Shankland, whose helming credits include 2018's Les Misérables miniseries and the BBC smash SAS Rogue Heroes, is reportedly taking on directing duties for the entire season.

Straughan and Shankland will executive produce the series alongside Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman for Playtone banner. This is Playtone and Apple's first collaboration since 2024's Masters of the Air. The new series will be filmed in Berlin.

Apple TV+'s as-yet-untitled Berlin Noir series does not yet have a filming schedule or release date.