Apple TV+ has now shared a first look at Before, revealing the first images of legendary comedian and star When Harry Met Sally… and City Slickers, Billy Crystal, in a very different kind of role. Before promises to be an atmospheric, character-driven psychological thriller and stars multi-award-winning actor, comedian and filmmaker Billy Crystal in the lead.
Before stars Crystal as Eli, a child psychiatrist who, after recently losing his wife, Lynn (Light), encounters a troubled young boy, Noah (Jupe), who seems to have a haunting connection to Eli’s past. As Eli attempts to help Noah, their mysterious bond deepens.
You can check out the newly released images of Before below. And they certainly paint a much darker, more sinister atmosphere than we’re used to seeing Crystal in.
The ten-episode series is executive produced by Crystal, Oscar Award-winner Eric Roth and creator Sarah Thorp and will premiere globally on Apple TV+ on Friday, October 25 with the first two episodes, followed by new episodes every Friday through to December 20.
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Alongside Billy Crystal, the supernatural mystery series stars multi-Emmy and Tony Award winner Judith Light (Transparent), Jacobi Jupe (Peter Pan & Wendy), Oscar Award nominee Rosie Perez (The Flight Attendant), Tony Award-nominee Maria Dizzia (Orange Is the New Black) and Ava Lalezarzadeh (In the Garden of Tulips). Hailing from Paramount Television Studios, the limited series is created by Sarah Thorp (The Bounty Hunter).
Thorp serves as showrunner, writer and executive producer. Crystal executive produces alongside Eric Roth (Killers of the Flower Moon, Dune), pilot director Adam Bernstein (Silo, Billions) and producing director Jet Wilkinson (The Chi, Truth Be Told).
Billy Crystal Has Been a Comedy Icon for Decades
Billy Crystal is, of course, a well-known actor, comedian, singer, writer, producer, and director. Crystal first gained prominence thanks to roles on the small screen in the likes of the ABC sitcom Soap as well as his time spent as a cast member and host on Saturday Night Live during the late 70s and 80s.
Crystal then moved into big screen comedy, excelling in roles in such movies as Running Scared, Throw Momma from the Train, Memories of Me, Mr. Saturday Night, Forget Paris, Father’s Day, Analyze This, and America’s Sweethearts. His most memorable role from this era, however, is 1989’s When Harry Met Sally. Starring alongside Meg Ryan, the movie follows the titular pair from youth into adulthood across twelve years of chance encounters and is now considered to be one of the best examples in the rom-com genre.
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The comedian then gained a whole new audience in 2001, voicing the monster Mike Wazaowski in the Pixar animated movie Monsters, Inc. Crystal reprised the role in the 2013 sequel Monsters University, and continues to play the character in the ongoing Disney+ series Monsters at Work.
Over the years, Crystal has been the recipient of numerous awards, including six Primetime Emmy Awards and a Tony Award as well as nominations for three Grammy Awards and three Golden Globe Awards. After excelling (and then some) in comedy, it will certainly be interesting to see how he fares in a thriller.