That’s a flex: James Corden’s new Apple TV show lands James McAvoy and Hannah Waddingham

Right, so James Corden is back on TV again, if you can believe it, and this time he’s brought along some serious British talent for his upcoming Apple TV+ comedy-drama, The Choir. The show’s been building buzz for a while, but now the casting’s gone even more star-studded, which is saying something, frankly.

Big Names, Guest Spots

The latest word is that James McAvoy and Hannah Waddingham—yeah, her from Ted Lasso, if you somehow missed it—along with the ever-reliable Jim Broadbent, will all be popping up as guest stars. For those keeping tabs, McAvoy just finished a turn in the musical film California Schemin' last year. Broadbent’s CV is never-ending, but if you watched The Bride's Chamber or caught him in Only Murders in the Building, you'll know the type of class act he brings. Waddingham doesn’t really need an introduction by now, does she?

• Other notable series regulars: Tom Davis, Rosie Sheehy, Susan Brown, Jason Watkins, David Harewood, Alexandria Riley
• In supporting and key roles, look for: Sylvestra Le Touzel, Tom Edden, Gary Lamont, Emily Lloyd-Saini, Stephen Leask, Luiis Rouf, Jo Foster, Evie Jones, Farrah Abbassy

Deadline dropped the news about those high-profile guest appearances, which gives the show a bit of extra shine in the release calendar chaos.

What’s the Story, Then?

It’s all about a bloke called Ben (Corden, naturally), who’s spent ages abroad—by choice, not just by circumstance. At home, you’ve got his sister, Lisa (played by Ruth Jones, yes, the same Ruth Jones from Gavin & Stacey). After years estranged, Ben's forced back to the small English town he legged it from, landing smack in the middle of family drama and the local community he never wanted to revisit. If you think 'awkward homecoming' is played out, at least this one’s got some promising names attached.

The show’s in production now, so you won’t see anything till 2027—which is an unreasonably long time to wait for something already hyped this much.

The Choir won’t hit Apple TV+ until 2027.

The Power Behind the Curtain

Behind the scenes, it’s Corden and Jones pulling the strings alongside Phil Clarke and Jack Bayles as executive producers. The directors are Jennifer Sheridan (known for Rose: A Love Story) and Jim Archer (Big Boys).

Bit of trivia: Corden and Jones last worked together on Gavin & Stacey. When that show came to its close in 2024, it actually became the UK’s most-watched TV series—make of that what you will. It’s still got a 98% Tomatometer and a 91% Popcorn score at Rotten Tomatoes, so it clearly struck a nerve.

Not to be confused with a whimsical Glee copy, The Choir was first properly announced last year, plot and all, but most other specifics are still under wraps. At this point, we know it’s shaping up to be a proper ensemble affair, with a decent shot at living up to that Gavin & Stacey pedigree.