"Are You Sleeping," a drama series that will star Octavia Spencer, has picked up several new cast members, including Aaron Paul, known for "Breaking Bad," reports Variety.
In addition to Spencer and Paul, "Are You Sleeping" will star Lizzy Caplan (Masters of Sex), Ron Cephas Jones (This is Us), Elizabeth Perkins (Weeds), Mekhi Phifer (ER), Michael Beach (Sons of Anarchy), Tracie Thoms (UnREAL), and Haneefah Wood (Nurse Jackie).
As has been previously reported, "Are You Sleeping" is a psychological thriller based on a novel written by Kathleen Barber. The book, also called "Are You Sleeping," focuses on a podcast that reopens a murder case, similar to the popular "Serial" podcast that led to a new trial for Adnan Syed, in jail for allegedly murdering his girlfriend.
Sarah Koenig, who created and produced "Serial," will consult on the "Are You Sleeping" series, which Apple gave a series order for in May. The show will explore how the reopening of the murder case impacts the people involved.
Octavia Spencer, known for her roles in "Hidden Figures" and "The Shape of Water" will play Poppy Parnell, the reporter who is aiming to uncover the truth behind a decades old murder through her podcast.
Paul will play convicted murderer Warren Cave, whose guilt is in question, while Lizzy Caplan will play twin sisters Josie and Lanie. Jones, known for "This is Us," plays Poppy's father, Leander "Shreve" Scoville. Perkins will play the role of Cave's mother, while Phifer will play the role of Markus Knox, detective and friend of Poppy's.
Beach plays Ingram Rhoades, attorney and husband of Poppy, and Thoms plays Desiree Scoville, Poppy's opinionated older sister. Wood plays Poppy's other sister, Cydie Scoville.
"Are You Sleeping" was written by Nichelle Tramble Spellman, and the series will be produced by Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine and Chernin Entertainment/Endeavor Content.
It's still not clear when the first of Apple's television shows will debut, but rumors have suggested 2019 as an initial launch date. With casting in place for "Are You Sleeping," it could be progressing to the filming stage in the near future.
