In a new family coming-of-age series headed to Apple TV+, a kid discovers he possesses a shape-shifting superpower. He can become someone else. And in the midst of battling bullies and struggling with other middle-schooler crises like school dances, he learns that life is full of challenges and how we meet them helps define who we are. Oh, and “someone is coming” for him, ominously. At least, that’s the gist of the trailer for Me that Apple TV+ dropped Wednesday.
After this preachy, over-educational trailer, I’m rooting for whoever’s coming for the kid. But if you have children who need to learn about resilience and figuring out who they are, maybe this is a good family-watch this summer.
Hailing from Barry L. Levy (Vantage Point), the new 10-episode series Me debuts on Apple TV+ July 12.
‘Dark power’ dogs shape-shifting kid who can’t find himself in trailer for Me family series
The new trailer for the family series Me on Apple TV+ tries to balance notes of complicated family life, everyday hassles of adolescence and — whoah — an unexpected shape-shifting superpower that comes along with a vaguely presented danger or conspiracy (“whether you like it or not, someone is coming for you,” a grownup tells the main character). It feels like the trailer is trying to be everything to everyone, with too much going on and too many people briefly shown. You know, just a coming-of-age-adolescent-comedy-family-drama-superhero-psychological-thriller-type thing. But you can’t judge a show by its trailer alone, of course.
And it’s quite a teach-y trailer, pushing educational points a little too obviously. “Part of growing up means asking myself who I want to be,” says Ben, lying in bed, apparently talking to himself (or maybe he’s on speaker with a pal with whom he likes sharing life-affirming platitudes, as teens so love to do). I think plenty of real-life adolescents watching the trailer might find those little lessons annoying.
Here’s how the steamer describes the series:
Me follows a 12-year-old kid named Ben who is in the throes of middle school (complete with bullies, crushes and school dances!) as he adjusts to a newly blended family AND the realization that he has super powers. Throughout the 10-episode season, Ben goes on a journey of self-discovery and learns what having super powers truly means. He finds an ally in his stepsister, Max, who helps him harness these powers and uncover the secrets behind the mysteries and tragedies of his community … all while he tries to come to terms with what it means to be Ben.
Watch the trailer for kids and family show Me:
The series stars Lucian-River Chauhan (Encounter) as Ben Vasani, Abigail Pniowsky (Arrival) as Max Davis, Dilshad Vadsaria (Second Chance) as Elizabeth Vasani, Amanda Reid (Miss Juneteenth) as Carter Kennedy and Jessy Yates (Pulse) as Morgan, with guest stars Kyle Howard (Orange County) as Phil Davis and Sharif Atkins (NCIS: Hawai‘i) as Darren Kennedy.
Creator Levy also serves as showrunner, executive producer and series writer alongside Michael Dowse, Amy Welsh-Hanning and Eben Russell. Dowse also directs all 10 episodes.
Watch kids and family shows on Apple TV+
The 10 episodes of Me begin airing on Apple TV+ July 12. The award-winning slate of original series and films for kids and families on Apple TV+ includes upcoming shows like WondLa, celebrated live action animated hybrid special, The Velveteen Rabbit and the Academy Award and BAFTA Award-winning animated short film The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse.
Get the service by subscription for $9.99 with a seven-day free trial. You can also get it via any tier of the Apple One subscription bundle. For a limited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac or iPod touch can enjoy three months of Apple TV+ for free.
After launching in November 2019, “Apple TV+ became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world, and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries and series have been honored with 471 wins and 2,090 award nominations and counting,” the service said.
In addition to award-winning movies and TV shows (including breakout soccer comedy Ted Lasso), Apple TV+ offers documentaries, dramas, comedies, kids shows and more.
Source: Apple TV+
