Apple may have found its own answer to Netflix’s popular TV show, The Crown
The iPhone-maker has reportedly ordered an eight-episode series based on the New York Times bestselling novel Pachinko. After beating out multiple other bidders for the project Apple is allegedly throwing more money behind the Pachinko than most of its other series as it aims to make a splash at the Emmys in 2020.
Written by Min Jin Lee, Pachinko follows the highs and lows of four generations of a Korean immigrant family. The project is described as both intimate and epic. It starts with a forbidden love that then propels the story and its affected characters between Korean, Japan and America.
War, peace, love, loss and triumph will be the major themes of the show. It will be told in three different languages: Korean, Japanese and English. The Hollywood Reporter reports the show’s sizable premium budget is akin to Netflix’s The Crown, which is estimated to cost around $130 million per season. To put that in perspective, the final season of Game of Thrones only cost about $90 million.
The script for Pachinko was written by Korean-American Soo Hugh who will also serve as the showrunner for the series and an executive producer. Author Lee has also been tapped as an executive producer. The show is coming from Media Res, which already has two other shows that have been picked up by Apple.
Apple has been slowly building up a monstrous slate of original TV shows for its upcoming TV streaming service. Details about the service are expected to be revealed at Apple’s March 25 event at the Steve Jobs Theater in Apple Park. Other announcements could include the company’s news subscription service along with minor updates to iPads.
