McConaughey and Harrelson Launch Brothers After Emmys Stage Crash
Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson play fictionalised versions of themselves in Brothers, a semi-scripted comedy premiering globally on Apple TV+ on September 23. The series stars the pair, who also serve as executive producers, meaning they help steer the show behind the camera as well as appear in it. Apple TV
Days before launch, the two presented the night's final award together at the 78th Emmy Awards. When Widow's Bay won best comedy series, Harrelson ended up front and centre with the winning team for the acceptance speech. He is not in the show. The Hollywood Reporter
Harrelson said the moment happened organically. He stepped forward to greet Widow's Bay creator Katie Dippold and praise the show, then felt it would be more embarrassing to walk out. He stayed. McConaughey said he handed the trophy off and moved to the side.
The moment fits a friendship of three decades. The two previously co-starred in True Detective. Harrelson won an Emmy in 1989 for Cheers, and the Television Academy announced on September 13 that both men would present at this year's ceremony alongside Hassie Harrison, John Mulaney, Emmy Rossum, Sofía Vergara and others. Television Academy
Brothers grew out of a family joke. Harrelson is convinced the two are related because of their closeness. McConaughey has said his mother, Kay McConaughey, implied she had relations with Harrelson's father, Charles Harrelson, around the time McConaughey was conceived. McConaughey does not want to take a DNA test, saying it would leave him with too much to unpack about his own family.
That possible half-brother predicament sparked the idea for the series, which comes from writer-producer Lee Eisenberg. Apple TV debuted a trailer ahead of the global premiere on September 23. In an interview published on September 22, the two actors discussed the show, their relationship and the Emmys finale.
For viewers, this means the off-stage dynamic is the on-screen premise. Two long-time friends, one awards-show crash, and a question about brotherhood that now plays out as comedy. The answer arrives in the new series.
