Apple TV's Global Expansion: Toni Collette Heads to Australia for 'Lenni'

Apple TV+ is moving its production footprint from Scandinavia to the Southern Hemisphere. The streamer has greenlit a new dramedy titled Lenni, which adapts the Norwegian series Pernille for an international audience. This move places the project on opposite sides of the world from its source material, signaling a specific strategy in acquiring foreign intellectual property.

Toni Collette will star as the lead character. The Emmy winner, known for United States of Tara and Wayward, plays a child welfare worker and divorced mother. The character’s role involves managing the families of others while dealing with personal domestic chaos. The first season tracks her work on a new case where professional stakes intersect with her private life.

Production has already commenced in Australia. The cast includes Ciaran Hinds, Dan Wyllie, Josh McKenzie, Celeste Barber, Genevieve Hegney, Arka Das, and Wayne Blair. Sarah Scheller is adapting the script from the original Norwegian material. Dearbhla Walsh, known for Margo’s Got Money Troubles, is directing the series.

The project is a joint venture between Made Up Stories and Keshet International. Executive producers include Bruna Papandrea, Steve Hutensky, and Katie Amos from Made Up Stories, alongside Avi Nir and Keren Shahar from Keshet International. Collette is also attached as an executive producer. The original creator Henriette Steenstrup, Bård Fjulsrud, and Tanya Badendyck round out the executive production team.

Collette’s recent television output includes Wayward on Netflix, The Power on Prime Video, The Staircase on HBO Max, and Pieces of Her on Netflix. She is represented by CAA, United Management, Finley Management, and Jackoway Austen. The series represents Apple’s latest addition to its slate of acquired and original programming.