Apple TV+ has secured a star-studded drama series tentatively titled Bananas after an intense bidding war, according to sources familiar with the deal. According to an exclusive from Deadline, the project will feature Oscar Isaac (Ex Machina, Scenes From a Marriage) and Ana de Armas (Blonde, Knives Out) as both lead actors and executive producers, with acclaimed director David O. Russell (American Hustle, Silver Linings Playbook) attached to direct and executive produce. The series is created, written and executive produced by Carolina Paiz (Orange is the New Black, Narcos) and Fifth Season is set to produce.
While specific plot details remain undisclosed, Deadline suggests that the title Bananas refers to the historical term “banana republics,” used to describe politically and economically unstable nations, particularly in regions like Central America. Isaac will also serve as an executive producer through his company, MadGene Media, alongside Gena Konstantinakos (The Letter Room, The Courtroom).
This marks Ana de Arma’s first venture into an English-language television series, via Deadline. On the film front, she will soon headline Lionsgate’s John Wick spinoff, Ballerina, slated for release on June 6, 2025. She was also recently seen in Eden, which made its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival.
For Oscar Isaac, Bananas is the latest addition to an impressive slate of television and film projects. He previously starred in Marvel’s Moon Knight on Disney+ and earned an Emmy nomination for his performance in HBO’s Scenes From a Marriage. Isaac has also completed filming Julian Schnabel’s Hand of Dante, opposite Jason Momoa (Aquaman) and will star as Doctor Frankenstein in Guillermo del Toro’s (Pan’s Labyrinth) upcoming Frankenstein, set for a 2025 release.
David O. Russell, a five-time Academy Award nominee, is simultaneously preparing to direct Madden, an upcoming film for Amazon MGM Studios starring Nicolas Cage.
Carolina Paiz, known for her work on Gang Related and the film The Zero Hour, has also co-written the upcoming horror movie The Whistler.
With a roster of celebrated talent on board and a premise shrouded in intrigue, Bananas is already shaping up to be one of Apple TV+’s most anticipated upcoming series.