Ben Stiller is officially returning to television with his new Apple TV+ series Protective Custody. Widely known as one of Hollywood’s most successful comedy stars, Stiller previously dominated blockbuster franchises like Night at the Museum while also voicing Alex the Lion in Madagascar and leading cult favourites across both comedy and satire. And now, with Protective Custody joining his expanding Apple TV era, fans are already waiting to see what fresh wave of chaos, humour, and sharp satire he is preparing to unleash next.

Here is everything we know so far about Ben Stiller’s upcoming Apple TV+ series, Protective Custody.

Ben Stiller is officially diving back into comedy chaos through his new Apple TV+ series Protective Custody. The upcoming satire follows a disgraced financier accused of massive fraud who suddenly lands inside protective custody, where prison politics, collapsing reputation, and survival games spiral around him while awaiting trial. Stiller will both star in and executive produce the project, potentially marking his first major leading comedy TV role. However, the exact rollout timeline remains under wraps, as Protective Custody is currently in its very early development phase.

The series additionally pulls together a stacked comedy brain trust behind the scenes, with Mike Judge of Silicon Valley and King of the Hill fame joining forces with Steve Hely from Veep and Dave King from Parks and Recreation. The trio will co-write, co-showrun, and executive produce the satire, while Judge is also attached to direct. The project further expands Stiller’s growing Apple TV+ domination following Severance, The Off Weeks, and The Dink.

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While 2026 television is already preparing to welcome Ben Stiller back with open arms, the Hollywood veteran is also quietly stacking one of his busiest comeback slates in years.

Beyond Protective Custody, Ben Stiller’s 2026 slate is already packed with major film and streaming projects across Netflix, Apple TV+, and theatrical releases. The actor will reportedly appear in Netflix’s fantasy-comedy A Matter of Time alongside Nicholas Galitzine and Bella Maclean, while also making a nostalgic return as Hal L. in Happy Gilmore 2 opposite Adam Sandler. Meanwhile, Focker-in-Law is set to reunite Stiller with Robert De Niro nearly 16 years after their last franchise outing.

The actor is additionally stepping back into leading-man territory through Nutcracker, his first major indie lead role in six years, directed by David Gordon Green. The story follows a workaholic forced to care for his orphaned nephews in rural Ohio, while Stiller also produces the film through Red Hour Films. On top of that, Apple Original Film’s sports satire The Dink will see him both produce and appear alongside Jake Johnson, Mary Steenburgen, and Ed Harris in a bizarre pickleball-fuelled comedy. Stiller is also expected to continue as executive producer on Severance Season 3, which is reportedly expected to arrive far sooner than the show’s previous three-year gap.

And now, with Protective Custody possibly joining a future Apple TV+ slate, Ben Stiller already seems to have packed 2026 with nonstop entertainment chaos.

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Are you excited to watch Ben Stiller’s upcoming Apple TV+ series Protective Custody and his massive 2026 comeback slate? Let us know in the comments.