Apple TV’s Heist Drama ’12 12 12′ Brings Anthony Mackie and Jamie Dornan Into a Cat and Mouse Chase
Apple TV announced ’12 12 12′ as a heist thriller series starring Anthony Mackie and Jamie Dornan, adding to a genre that is among the streamer’s strongest. The show has drawn attention for a title made entirely of numbers, which naturally leaves viewers wondering where the idea came from and what the series is built on.
The series is an eight episode heist drama that both Mackie and Dornan executive produce. With the premiere now close, the Apple TV heist series has a clear structure, a defined cast and a release plan that rewards patient viewers.
What ’12 12 12′ Is Based On
The question of what ’12 12 12′ is based on has a direct answer in the show’s own pitch. The title refers to the 12 months of planning a heist takes, the 12 hours of execution, and the 12 day window to avoid getting caught afterwards. Those three spans give the series its identity and its narrative engine.
That framework also shapes how each episode is told. Each episode moves across three timelines tied to one elaborate heist, and the official release from Paramount Television Studios describes the same three timeline structure. Viewers should expect the planning, the job and the aftermath to be woven together rather than shown in order.
One outlet that watched the first look footage noticed a hint about where the story might head. Based on a line spoken by Dornan’s character, it appears he may not be caught within the first 12 days after the heist, and it will take something bigger than a chase to bring him down. That reading suggests the final stretch of the story is not a simple pursuit.
Coverage of the series credits Dudi Appleton and Jim Keeble as its creators. Variety described the project as a contemporary international heist series when it first surfaced, which fits the way the title and timelines now define the concept.
The Apple TV Heist Series and Its Story
At the center is a duel between two very different men. Mackie plays a disgraced FBI agent squaring off against Dornan’s American career criminal, and their rivalry plays out as a game of cat and mouse across Europe. The setup gives both leads a clear role in a pursuit that stretches across borders.
The target is as specific as the title. The story centers on a daring bank vault raid in Zurich, and the vault is buried beneath the streets of the city. That location gives the planning timeline a concrete goal and the execution timeline a confined, high pressure setting.
In its coverage, Digital Trends compared the pitch to a collision between ‘Grand Theft Auto’ and ‘Heat’, a reference that points to the show’s crime drama ambitions and its focus on charismatic leads.
The project has been in development for a while. Apple acquired the series in May 2024 for its streaming service. A report from the Budapest Reporter also indicated that production would film in Hungary and Texas.
’12 12 12′ Cast and Creative Team
The supporting cast is built around actors with distinctive credits. The ensemble includes Jack Kesy, Agathe Rousselle and Kali Reis. Digital Trends also lists Sallie Harmsen and José Garcia, and notes that Reis is an Emmy nominee known for ‘True Detective’.
Much of that lineup took shape in public over time. Additional casting including Kesy, Reis, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Rousselle and Harmsen was announced in early 2025. The steady stream of announcements built the roster well before any footage appeared.
Behind the camera, Kari Skogland directs multiple episodes including the pilot and also serves as an executive producer. She is an Emmy nominated and BAFTA winning filmmaker known for ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’. Her involvement suggests a director with experience in large scale, character driven television.
Appleton and Keeble also serve as executive producers. The series is produced by Paramount Television Studios and Anonymous Content.
’12 12 12′ Release Schedule and Where to Watch
The rollout begins soon. ’12 12 12′ will consist of eight episodes, with the first two arriving together on November 13, followed by one new episode every Friday. The finale is scheduled for Christmas Day.
The date has drawn a bit of good natured teasing. T3 pointed out that the crime series does not actually release on 12 December, a reminder of how closely viewers are reading the title.
The promotional run has followed a steady pattern. Apple TV revealed a first look on August 26 and a trailer on October 13. The weekly rollout means the heist will unfold slowly, one episode at a time, as the season builds to its finale.
The series streams on Apple TV. The service costs $14.99 per month, or can be discounted through the Apple One bundle. With a three timeline structure and a Christmas Day ending, the question now is whether the planning, the execution or the aftermath of ’12 12 12′ will hold your attention most, so tell us in the comments which of those timelines you expect to define the chase between Mackie’s disgraced agent and Dornan’s career criminal.
