The Changeling - What We Know So Far
If the idea of a horror-infused "fairy tale for grownups" sounds at all intriguing to you, then you'll want to keep an eye out for one of the latest projects currently in the works for Apple TV+, titled "The Changeling."
As Apple announced in a press release, the new project for their streaming service will be based on the 2017 novel of the same name by American author Victor LaValle. British screenwriter Kelly Marcel is set to adapt the novel for the small screen. Marcel, who has also worked as an actor, has most recently written the Emma Stone starring "Cruella" for Disney. "Cruella" is not Marcel's only notable work, however — she also wrote 2015's widely popular "Fifty Shades of Grey," as well as co-writing 2018's "Venom" and penning its 2021 sequel "Venom: Let There Be Carnage" on her own.
"The Changeling" will be directed by Melina Matsoukas, who made her film directorial debut with 2019's "Queen & Slim." Prior to that, she had already made a name for herself directing music videos — including, notably, Beyoncé's "Formation" in 2016 — and television episodes for popular shows such as "Master of None" and "Insecure."
Here's everything else we know so far about "The Changeling."
When will The Changeling be released?
Considering that Apple has just announced the series order for "The Changeling," we unfortunately do not have any date in place for the show's release yet. We also have very little casting information, so we can expect to hear news on that front — likely around the time "The Changeling" nears its production — before receiving news on when the series will be hitting the streaming site.
To speculate as to when the series might premiere, we can look at another recent Apple TV+ original, the very popular "Ted Lasso." The Jason Sudeikis led comedy received its series order for Apple TV+ in October 2019, as reported by Variety. The series then premiered on the streaming service on August 14, 2020, just under a year since the announcement of its series order. With this in mind, we can expect "The Changeling" to likely premiere in about a year, give or take a few months — so, roughly, we can speculate a fall 2022 release date.
Who will be in The Changeling?
As of now, Apple has only announced one cast member for "The Changeling" — LaKeith Stanfield. In the last few years, Stanfield has become one of the most prominent working actors right now. He rose to prominence for his supporting roles on the FX comedy "Atlanta," which aired in 2016, and in Jordan Peele's "Get Out" in 2017. Since then, he has moved on to starring roles, such as in 2018's "Sorry to Bother You" and 2021's "Judas and the Black Messiah," the latter of which earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Stainfield will also serve as an executive producer for "The Changeling."
Stanfield will be playing Apollo Kagawa, a new father, whose wife Emma seems to be suffering from postpartum depression. This means that Emma will likely be the next casting announcement, although there's currently no word on which actress could be stepping in to co-star alongside Stanfield.
Perhaps director Melina Matsoukas will bring in Jodie Turner-Smith, who she previously worked with on "Queen & Slim." Or, maybe, she could work again with Turner-Smith's "Atlanta" co-star Zazie Beetz, who has been taking on bigger and bigger roles. The possibilities are endless.
What will The Changeling be about?
In their press release, Apple TV+ summed up the upcoming series: "'The Changeling' is a fairytale for grown-ups. A horror story, a parenthood fable and a perilous odyssey through a New York City you didn't know existed."
Apple's premise is vague and doesn't give us much of a picture of what to expect, but there is much more information available about the source material — Victor LaValle's novel of the same name. According to Goodreads, "The Changeling" follows Apollo Kagwa (LaKeith Stanfield), an antique book dealer and new father, who is determined to be there for his child in all of the ways that his own father, who abandoned him, was not. However, Apollo's wife Emma begins exhibiting signs of postpartum depression, as she's unable to connect with their child. But, soon, it becomes clear that Emma's state is far worse than postpartum, causing her to commit "a horrific act — beyond any parent's comprehension — and vanishes, seemingly into thin air."
After her disappearance, Apollo begins his journey to find his wife and son, which will take him "to a forgotten island in the East River of New York City, a graveyard full of secrets, a forest in Queens where immigrant legends still live, and finally back to a place he thought he had lost forever."
We can't wait to find out more information about "The Changeling" and eventually see this horror fairy tale play out on screen.