Time Bandits (TV series)

Time Bandits is an upcoming fantasy adventure television series created by Jemaine Clement, Iain Morris, and Taika Waititi, based on the 1981 film of the same name directed by Terry Gilliam.

Time Bandits is scheduled to premiere on July 24, 2024, on Apple TV+.

Premise
The series is described as a comedic journey through time and space with a ragtag group of thieves and their newest recruit: an eleven-year-old history nerd.

Cast

 * Lisa Kudrow as Penelope
 * Kal-El Tuck as Kevin
 * Charlyne Yi as Judy
 * Tadhg Murphy as Alto
 * Roger Jean Nsengiyumva as Widgit
 * Rune Temte as Bittelig
 * Kiera Thompson as Saffron
 * Rachel House as Fianna
 * Taika Waititi as Supreme Being
 * Jemaine Clement as Pure Evil
 * Matt King as De Plume
 * George Houvardas as Ajax the Lesser
 * Zoë Ventoura as Cassandra

Episodes
The third through tenth episodes of the series are written by Jemaine Clement, Iain Morris, Akilah Green, Melanie Bracewell, Tyrell Williams, and Sam Bain.

Production
In July 2018, it was announced that Apple Inc. had closed a deal to develop a television series version of the Terry Gilliam film, with Gilliam set to serve as executive producer. In March 2019, Taika Waititi joined the project, set to co-write and direct the pilot episode. Waititi stated the series would be 10 episodes, and revealed to be a co-writer alongside Iain Morris and Jemaine Clement. In September 2022, Lisa Kudrow was cast.

Production took place in New Zealand and Toronto in late 2022 and early 2023. The series was shot in Wellington, appearing as 1920s New York when shooting began in October 2022.

Release
Time Bandits is scheduled to premiere on July 24, 2024, on Apple TV+. The show will be released as two episodes a week through August 21, 2024.

Controversies
In 2024, Charlyne Yi said that while filming the series, they were constantly assaulted by a male actor who, in the process, injured Yi's back. Yi claimed the actor in question attempted to gaslight producers and HR about the incident to protect his image.