Oscar-winning actor J.K. Simmons has joined Apple TV's forthcoming drama series "Beat The Reaper", alongside Will Poulter, based on Josh Bazell's novel. Emmy-winning director Tim Van Patten will direct the pilot and serve as executive producer on the project, which comes from showrunner Sam Catlin under his Apple Studios deal with New Regency producing.

The series follows Dr. Peter Brown (Poulter), a talented intern at Boston's worst-ranked hospital who must evade government agents, mob hitmen and other threats within eight hours after a patient recognises him from his dangerous past. Simmons will play Dr. Friendly, an incompetent surgeon working at the same hospital, in what marks another significant television role for the acclaimed actor alongside his continued work in film and television.