What would happen if Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey discovered they’re related to one another?
This is the question Apple TV’s new series is trying to answer.
The highly-anticipated comedy series Brothers premiered yesterday–shedding light on a Hollywood rumor that’s made fans question just how far the connection between Harrelson and McConaughey truly goes.
Matthew McConaughey & Woody Harrelson in ‘Brothers’
Courtesy: Apple TV
The two men have known each other for more than 20 years, and are close enough that they consider each other family–so much so that they took a family trip to Greece in 2017 and discovered from “Ma Mac,” McConaughey’s mother, that she had once known Harrelson’s father… you can interpret that statement however you’d like.
The shocking revelation opened the door for a possible half-brother relationship between the two Texas-born actors. This potential familial bond was the inspiration for Brothers. In the show, Harrelson and McConaughey play fictionalized, heightened versions of themselves. After Harrelson’s daughter’s engagement falls through, he decides to take his family on a trip to McConaughey’s ranch in Austin to regroup. The relaxing getaway takes a turn when Ma Mac, played by Holland Taylor, reveals a major family secret. In the aftermath, Harrelson is left searching for clues into the past, while McConaughey navigates a spontaneous political race to become the Governor of Texas.
Brothers highlights the importance of family, friendship and self-discovery, and it leaves viewers feeling connected to the show’s lovable cast.
Natalie Martinez and Brittany Ishibashi play Valentina McConaughey and Joy Harrelson, the grounded and outspoken wives of Matthew and Woody. As family tensions rise, they are the glue that holds everyone together.
Natalie Martinez & Brittany Ishibashi in ‘Brothers’
Courtesy: Apple TV
“Normally when someone is going through something, someone can ground you, and vice versa. It’s being able to cross those lines and be there for each other,” said Martinez in an interview with The Knockturnal. “I feel like, in all aspects of relationships, whether they’re family, your chosen family, your friends; people need support systems, and I think that’s kind of what we want people to see from this show–how we can all kind of be a family and just support each other.”
The actresses worked closely with Harrelson and McConaughey on set, and reflected on the cast’s close-knit bond.
“Being able to see them in action, and see how their dynamics work, specifically, was so cool and so fun,” said Ishibashi. “It was play, I felt like it was really easy.”
Martinez echoed Ishibashi’s sentiments about the on-set dynamic between all the stars on Brothers.
“We were welcomed with open arms, everyone got along. I think everybody was really happy to be there. And again, I think it shows kind of what the guys are like– they’re just fun-loving, goofy, but also serious, I mean these guys showed up on time, they knew their stuff, they had notes, they had ideas. It was a very present cast,” said Martinez.
The show’s Executive Producer, Lee Eisenberg, joined the team after hearing that Harrelson and McConaughey had sold the concept to Apple TV. Eisenberg said he immediately hit it off with them from the very beginning.
“They’re both incredibly charming, charismatic and hilarious in person. And we just talked a lot about what the fictionalized version of the show could be. We talked a lot about Curb Your Enthusiasm, and not feeling like we had to adhere to every true life thing in their life in order to have it on the show,” said Eisenberg. “With Matthew and Woody, we kind of took what we knew of their personas, and the stories that they were telling us, and then found ways to try and maximize the comedy.”
The first two episodes of Brothers are available to stream now on Apple TV, and they’ll continue to air each Wednesday until November 4.
