The shadow of Max Cady is looming once again.
Apple TV’s new Cape Fear series brings the much-adapted thriller back to screens, this time as a 10-part psychological horror drama starring Javier Bardem, Amy Adams and Patrick Wilson.
Inspired by John D MacDonald’s novel The Executioners, as well as the 1962 Cape Fear film and Martin Scorsese’s 1991 remake, the new series puts a modern spin on the story of a family being targeted by a dangerous figure from their past.
Bardem takes on the role of Max Cady, the notorious killer previously played by Robert Mitchum and Robert De Niro, while Adams and Wilson star as married attorneys Anna and Tom Bowden.
This time, Cady is released from prison and begins infiltrating the lives of the Bowdens, who were responsible for putting him behind bars – setting in motion a campaign of revenge that threatens to tear their family apart.
With the first two episodes now available, read on for your guide to the Cape Fear release schedule – including when to expect episode 3.
How many episodes are in Cape Fear season 1?
Cape Fear season 1 consists of 10 episodes.
The limited series launches with a double bill on Apple TV, before moving to a weekly release pattern every Friday.
That means viewers will be spending most of the summer with Max Cady and the Bowdens, with the series running from early June through to the end of July.
When is Cape Fear episode 3 out on Apple TV?
Cape Fear episode 3 will be released on Apple TV on Friday 12 June 2026.
The first two episodes arrived together on Friday 5 June 2026, with the remaining episodes then landing weekly.
Cape Fear release schedule: When are new episodes out on Apple TV?
Barring any surprise schedule changes, here’s when you can expect each episode to land:
- Cape Fear season 1 episode 1 (Fingers & Toes) – Friday 5 June 2026 – out now
- Cape Fear season 1 episode 2 (Why Would I Want to Hurt You?) – Friday 5 June 2026 – out now
- Cape Fear season 1 episode 3 (Phantom Sensations) – Friday 12 June 2026
- Cape Fear season 1 episode 4 (Pierced) – Friday 19 June 2026
- Cape Fear season 1 episode 5 (Faith) – Friday 26 June 2026
- Cape Fear season 1 episode 6 (Possum) – Friday July 2026
- Cape Fear season 1 episode 7 (Mongrel) – Friday July 2026
- Cape Fear season 1 episode 8 (Los tiempos de Dios son Perfectos) – Friday 17 July 2026
- Cape Fear season 1 episode 9 (The Scar) – Friday 24 July 2026
- Cape Fear season 1 episode 10 (TBC) – Friday 31 July 2026
What is Cape Fear about?
Cape Fear follows Anna and Tom Bowden, a married couple and pair of attorneys whose lives are upended when Max Cady is released from prison.
Cady is a convicted killer with a connection to the Bowdens’ past – and once he is free, he begins forcing his way into their lives, targeting not only the couple but their family.
The story has, of course, been told on screen before, first in the 1962 film starring Gregory Peck and Robert Mitchum, and later in Scorsese’s 1991 version, which starred Nick Nolte, Jessica Lange and Robert De Niro.
But this new version expands the story for television, giving the familiar cat-and-mouse thriller more room to explore guilt, revenge, justice and the psychological fallout of Cady’s return.
In a twist unique to this adaptation, Cady is released from prison having apparently been exonerated of his crimes – as opposed to being freed having served his sentence – opening up questions around motive, blame and the fallibility of the justice system.
Alongside Bardem, Adams and Wilson, the cast also includes Joe Anders, Lily Collias, Malia Pyles, CCH Pounder, Jamie Hector and Anna Baryshnikov.
Cape Fear continues on Apple TV on Friday 12 June 2026. Start your seven-day free Apple TV trial at Apple.
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