Apple TV series «Cape Fear» — is an adaptation of Martin Scorsese's Oscar-nominated 1991 film of the same name (which, in turn, is an adaptation of the original film «Cape Fear» 1962).
The plot follows a family tormented by convicted murderer Max Cady, who is acquitted when new evidence comes to light. Similar to John D. MacDonald's book «The Executioners» , on which all three film adaptations are based, Cady seeks revenge after being released.
While the new series is heavily inspired by the 1991 film and executive produced by its director, Scorsese, it tells its own story, becoming more of a reimagining of« Cape Fear, rather than a simple reboot. However, many characters bear resemblance to their counterparts from the 1991 film.
In the series, the role of Cady is played by Javier Bardem, who told in May 2026 Esquire magazine, that much of the horror Cady feels stems from his complexity. "He's a man who's broken, who has feelings, and who has a purpose," he said, "a purpose that involves revenge.".
Bardem also said he drew inspiration from Robert De Niro, who played the character in the 1991 film, and Robert Mitchum, who played Cady in the original 1962 film. "In both roles, there's this give and take, give and take," he said. "I thought, that's the point "And that's the thing. You can't rely on him, but at the same time, you want to be around him because you want to understand him. That's his gift.".
Joining Bardem in the series adaptation are stars Amy Adams, Patrick Wilson, and Jamie Hector. Read on to see the new cast. «Cape Fear» alongside the stars of Scorsese's 1991 film.
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Amy Adams as Anna Bowden
Jessica Lange in Cape Fear (1991); Amy Adams in Cape Fear (2026). Photo: Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock; Apple TV
Six-time Oscar nominee Amy Adams plays Anna Bowden, a wife and mother who is also a star attorney. In the series, she plays a defense attorney who tried to keep Max Cady out of prison. But, knowing he was guilty, she convinced him to take a plea deal rather than fight for his innocence. She later married the prosecutor on the case, Tom (Wilson), causing a scandal.
In May 2026, Adams told the publication Entertainment Weekly , that Anna "has a lot of secrets and is a very impulsive character, but she also has to drive a lot of the storyline." She also noted that viewers won't immediately understand Anna's full backstory or motivations. "A lot of her actions sometimes feel impulsive," Adams said. "You don't know what's driving her, and that's what I really like about television.".
In the 1991 film, the role was played by another six-time Oscar nominee, Jessica Lange. Her character, Lee, is an artist and mother who knows nothing about Cady's case until her family is persecuted. Her husband is a lawyer in the film, and Lee's main goal is to try to protect her family.
After film "Cape Fear" »Lange won the Oscar for Best Actress in in the film "Blue Sky" » (1995) and found a new generation of fans by joining the TV series "American Horror Story"« (2010 – present).
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Patrick Wilson as Tom Bowden
Nick Nolte in Cape Fear (1991); Patrick Wilson in Cape Fear (2026). Photo: Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock; Apple TV
Wilson is best known for battling demons in the franchise. «The Conjuring» (2013-2025), but in in the film "Cape Fear"« He plays Tom Bowden, the prosecutor in Cady's trial, who secured him a nearly 20-year prison sentence. He is now married to Anna, and they have two children. Despite Tom being the prosecutor during the trial, Cady's main obsession seems to be Tom's wife.
In May 2026, Wilson told Esquire magazine , that he wanted his character to be genuine. "It was important to show that Tom is genuinely trying," he said. "He may fail sometimes, but he's definitely trying, and he's a good father.".
In Scorsese's film, the character was named Samuel, played by Nick Nolte. As in the series, Samuel is the prosecutor who sent Cady to prison. In both versions, Tom and Samuel share another similarity: they share a tragic flaw that Cady exploits to manipulate them.
Film "Cape Fear" (Pake Fear) cemented Nolte's status as a leading man in 1991, and just a month after its premiere, he starred in another smash hit, «Prince of Tides ). As well as «Cape Fear» , it became a box office hit and even earned Nolte an Oscar nomination for Best Actor. The following year, he was also named PEOPLE magazine's Sexiest Man Alive of 1992.
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Javier Bardem as Max Cady
Robert De Niro in Cape Fear (1991); Javier Bardem in Cape Fear (2026). Photo: Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock; Apple TV
To film "Cape Fear"« Bardem already had experience playing a sadistic killer thanks to his Oscar-winning role in in the film "No Country for Old Men"« . This time, he plays a more graceful and subtle madman alongside Cady. He seeks revenge on the Bowdens for what he believes is an unjust sentence.
In the 1991 film, the role was played by De Niro, who was subsequently nominated for an Oscar for the role and continued to receive Oscar nominations throughout his career for films such as «"Silver Linings Playbook » (2013) and «Killers of the Flower Moon» (2024).
Bardem chose a more gradual approach to character development, explaining that he had 10 episodes to build Cady's story, rather than just a two-hour film.
«"I was watching this Spanish moss hanging from the trees," he said. Esquire magazine . — It was a nice, warm, humid, windy day. It gives you a feeling of admiration. It’s not too bright. I felt like it needed time. Over time, it sinks down and might even touch the ground. It has all the time in the world to grow and grow and grow. And I thought, «Yeah, This Max Cady.
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Lily Kollias as Natalie Bowden
Juliette Lewis in Cape Fear (1991); Lily Kollias in Cape Fear (2026). Photo: Moviestore/Shutterstock; Apple TV
Lily Kollias plays Anna and Tom's daughter, Natalie, and Joe Anders plays their son, Zach. With two prominent lawyers as parents, Natalie feels pressured to always be perfect and exceed expectations. But when Cady begins to pressure the family, Natalie struggles to maintain her image and ultimately loses control.
Juliette Lewis played Bowden's daughter in the 1991 film. Her name is Danielle, and she develops a strange connection with Cady, simultaneously fascinated and terrified by his domineering behavior. Her emotional performance stunned critics and became one of the film's highlights, even earning her an Oscar nomination at the age of just 18.
In 2014, Lewis said The Guardian newspaper on how she found the vulnerability needed to play Danielle. "It was all about the natural movements of a teenager," she said. "The hunched shoulders, the shyness. I based it on a girl I met in the park who had bangs and always looked like she had a secret.".
After film "Cape Fear" »Lewis continued to land notable roles in thrillers such as «"Ma"» (2019) and «Yellow Wasps» (2021-2023).
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Jamie Hector as Ray Rawlins
Joe Don Baker in Cape Fear (1991); Jamie Hector in Cape Fear (2026). Photo: Capital Pictures via Alamy; Apple TV
Hector is best known for his roles in TV series "The Wire"« (2004-2008) and «Bosch» (2014-2021). In in the film "Cape Fear" »"He plays Ray Rawlins, one of Anna's colleagues who begins to suspect Cady of acting strangely and decides to help her figure out what he's up to.
Although technically a new character, he's heavily inspired by Claude Kersek (Joe Don Baker) from the film. In the film, Claude is a private detective whom Samuel hires to help him find out what Cady's doing.
In 2025, Baker passed away at the age of 89, remembered by friends and family. "Joe Don was a model of kindness and generosity," reads his family's obituary. "His intellectual curiosity made him an avid reader, instilling in him a profound love for nature and animals, especially cats.".
Read the original article on People.