James Marsden Joins Apple Comedy & David Spade Returns as Joe Dirt

Actor James Marsden is expanding his footprint on Apple TV by starring in and executive-producing the upcoming half-hour comedy “Bad News Dads,” according to Deadline. The project joins a growing slate of streaming commitments for Marsden, who also recently wrapped a season-long role opposite Jon Hamm in the Apple TV series “Your Friends & Neighbors.”

Inside the Plot of “Bad News Dads”

The potential comedy series is based on a forthcoming novel by Adam Frost and is being adapted by “You’re the Worst” creator Stephen Falk, Deadline reports. The narrative centers on an inept men’s baseball rec league team. According to the official logline provided to Deadline, the plot kicks off when one of the players’ wives dies in a suspicious accident. Marsden plays Ben, a friendship-starved character who leads two teammates in an impromptu and often misguided investigation into what they increasingly suspect is murder.

This project runs parallel to Marsden’s other major commitment with the streamer. He is also attached to the action thriller “Disavowed,” an Apple TV series that is still awaiting a premiere date, according to the same reporting.

James Marsden’s Expanding Apple TV Portfolio

In “Disavowed,” Marsden portrays CIA case officer Brad Griffin. According to official character descriptions, Griffin is abruptly fired in the middle of a global hunt for an elusive assassin responsible for killing his colleague. Outcast from the intelligence world and carrying a disgraced status, Griffin decides to go after a 15 million dollar federal bounty placed on the assassin’s head.

Other Notable Casting and Series Updates

Alongside Marsden’s casting news, several other television and streaming projects announced major updates, according to industry reports:

• “Joe Dirt” Animated Sequel: David Spade is set to reprise his role as Joe Dirt in an animated sequel series currently in development at Fox, Deadline reports. This follows the 2001 cult classic film and its 2015 made-for-Crackle follow-up, “Joe Dirt 2: Beautiful Loser.”
• “Lala IRL”: TikTok sensation Lala Sadii will star in a scripted series titled “Lala IRL” in development at Disney Channel and Disney+, according to Variety. The show provides a behind-the-screens look at her real-life rise to stardom and the associated collateral damage, based on reporting by the outlet.
• Starz Black Rodeo Drama: Starz has added three series regulars to its untitled Black rodeo drama, according to casting announcements. DeWanda Wise (“Three Women”) will play Anaya Clarke-Reagan, the eldest sibling and mayor of Trinity City; Tian Richards (“Tom Swift”) will play her openly gay younger brother, Rodney Clarke; and Marcus Mitchell (“Chicago Fire”) will star as bull rider Julius Calhoun.
• “Big City Greens” Season 5 Guest Cast: Disney Channel announced that Season 5 of “Big City Greens” will feature guest appearances by Stephen King, Luke Combs, Dylan Sprouse, Megan Stalter, Chad Michael Murray, Kevin Smith, and Jason Mewes. The season premieres on Friday, August 21, at 8 p.m.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the premise of “Bad News Dads”?

According to the official logline reported by Deadline, “Bad News Dads” follows an inept men’s baseball rec league team. After a player’s wife dies in a suspicious accident, a friendship-starved character named Ben leads two teammates in a misguided investigation into what they believe is murder.

Who is creating “Bad News Dads”?

The series is based on a forthcoming novel by Adam Frost and is being adapted by “You’re the Worst” creator Stephen Falk, with James Marsden starring and executive-producing.

What is “Disavowed” about?

In the Apple TV action thriller “Disavowed,” James Marsden plays CIA case officer Brad Griffin, who is fired during a global hunt for an assassin and subsequently chases a 15 million dollar federal bounty on the target’s head.

When does Season 5 of “Big City Greens” premiere?

Season 5 premieres on Friday, August 21, at 8 p.m. on Disney Channel.

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