Native Texans and longtime buds Woody Harrelson (left) and Matthew McConaughey play versions of themselves in new comedy series Brothers, which debuts September 23 on Apple TV Credit: Apple TV

Talk about a peanut-butter-in-my-chocolate moment. Matthew McConaughey, Oscar winner and Austin’s biggest cheerleader. Woody Harrelson, who rose to fame with one of the all-time great sitcom roles as Woody, the good-hearted and empty-headed bartender in Cheers. Now they’ve come together for the first ever episodic sitcom filmed in Austin, Brothers, which has just announced its premiere date on Apple TV.

In Brothers, real-life best buds McConaughey and Harrelson play fictionalized versions of themselves who discover that they may be more than just old friends. Ma Mac (Holland Taylor, no stranger to Austin from her one-woman tribute to Gov. Ann Richards, Ann) lets slip that they may actually be brothers. With McConaughey considering a run for governor of Texas, he’s suddenly got unexpected house guests at his Austin ranch as Woody and his family move in.

Produced by Paramount Television Studios, the series will debut on September 23 on Apple TV with two episodes, including the pilot directed by Trent O’Donnell (New Girl, Ghosts, Ride the Eagle). The rest of the eight-episode first season will premiere on Wednesdays through Nov. 4.

The cast also includes Natalie Martinez, Brittany Ishibashi, Nolan Almeida, Ella Grace Helton, Noah Carganilla, Highdee Kuan, and Oona Yaffe. Multi-Emmy Award nominee and Peabody winner Lee Eisenberg (Good Boys, WeCrashed, Little America) serves as showrunner and is also an executive producer alongside McConaughey, Harrelson, Natalie Sandy, David West Read, Trish Hofmann, Bill Bost, Jason Winer, David Finkel, Brett Baer, and Jeremy Plager.

However, the credits page will also be filled with many familiar names from Austin’s creative community, as the production was stocked with local actors and craftspeople. It won’t just be the names and faces that are familiar. The series originally filmed in Austin in early 2025, but when the cameras started rolling for the now-traditional reshoots in the fall, the stars pushed for more local landmarks and businesses that they loved to be featured onscreen.

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The Chronicle's first Culture Desk editor, Richard has reported on Austin's growing film production and appreciation scene for over a decade. A graduate of the universities of York, Stirling, and UT-Austin, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, and eight-time Best of Austin winner, he's currently at work on two books and a play.