Apple's 'High Desert' will star Patricia Arquette, directed by Ben Stiller

In a press release on its Newsroom website, Apple has announced that it has landed "High Desert," a new comedy series starring Patricia Arquette and directed (at least one episode) by Ben Stiller, for Apple TV+. Both actors will also executive produce the series.

Apple today announced a series order for "High Desert," a new comedic half-hour series to be produced by Apple Studios that will star Academy, Golden Globe and Emmy Award winner Patricia Arquette ("Boyhood," "Escape at Dannemora," "The Act"), who will also executive produce. The project reunites Arquette with DGA Award winner Ben Stiller ("Escape at Dannemora"), who will direct the first episode and executive produce through Red Hour Films alongside Nicky Weinstock. Molly Madden and Tom Lassally executive produce on behalf of 3 Arts Entertainment.

The series will follow Arquette as Peggy, a former addict who decides to become a private investigator after her mother passes away. The series is created by some of the minds behind "Nurse Jackie," "Damages," and "Miss Congeniality."

"High Desert" follows Peggy (Arquette), a former addict who decides to make a new start after the death of her beloved mother, with whom she lived in the small desert town of Yucca Valley, California, and makes a life-changing decision to become a private investigator. The series is created and written by Nancy Fichman ("Nurse Jackie," "Damages"), Katie Ford ("Miss Congeniality") and Jennifer Hoppe ("Grace and Frankie," "Nurse Jackie," "Damages"), who will also serve as executive producers.

The new series continues Apple's relationship with Arquette and Stiller, who are also currently creating "Severance," a workplace thriller that is executive produced by both and directed by Stiller.

"High Desert" marks Apple's second partnership with Arquette and Stiller following the series order for "Severance," an upcoming workplace thriller starring and executive produced by Arquette and Adam Scott, and directed and executive produced by Stiller. Arquette and Stiller both received Emmy Award nominations for their most recent, multi-award winning collaboration: the critically acclaimed, hit limited series "Escape at Dannemora," for which Stiller won the DGA Award and Arquette won Golden Globe, SAG and Critics Choice Awards.

Apple just launched its latest series Long Way Up, starring Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman, to its streaming service last week.