Exclusive: Stephan James talks Apple’s Thriller Series ‘Surface’
Currently playing on Apple TV+ is the thriller series Surface, from creator and EP Veronica West and starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw, who also serves as EP. “Surface” features an ensemble cast including Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Stephan James, Ari Graynor, Academy Award nominee Marianne Jean-Baptiste, François Arnaud and Millie Brady.
Set in high-end San Francisco, “Surface,” stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw (“The Morning Show”) who also executive produces, as Sophie, a woman who has suffered a traumatic head injury that has left her with extreme memory loss, believed to be a result of a suicide attempt. As Sophie embarks on a quest to put the pieces of her life back together with the help of her husband and friends, she begins to question whether or not the truth she is told is in fact the truth she has lived. Through twists and turns and an unexpected love triangle, this sexy, elevated thriller asks: What if you woke up one day and didn’t know your own secrets? “Surface” is a story of self- discovery which contemplates if we are pre-programmed to become who we are, or if we choose our own identity.
“Surface” is produced for Apple TV+ by Apple Studios and Hello Sunshine. West, who created and wrote the original series, also serves as executive producer. Reese Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter executive produce on behalf of Hello Sunshine. Emmy Award-nominee Sam Miller (“I May Destroy You”), directed four episodes of the series including the pilot and serves as executive producer. Kevin Sullivan, Jennifer Morrison, Tucker Gates also directed episodes.
James portrays Baden, an undercover cop with a strong connection to Sophie (Mbatha-Raw). He last appeared in the Quibi series #FreeRayshawn, which netted him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series. He also appeared in the Prime Video series Homecoming opposite Julia Roberts. He will next be seen in Robert Budreau’s drama film Delia’s Gone opposite Marisa Tomei.
