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Celebrities show off their new series on Apple TV Plus

Oprah, Aquaman, Captain America and more were on hand to hype all the new programs coming to the Apple TV+ service.

Caitlin Petrakovitz
Caitlin Petrakovitz studies the Marvel Cinematic Universe like it's a course in school, with an emphasis on the Infinity Saga years. As an audience expert, she rarely writes but when she does it's most certainly about Star Trek, Marvel, DC, Westworld, San Diego Comic-Con and great streaming properties. Or soccer, that's a thing she loves, too.
Rebecca Fleenor Former Project Manager
Rebecca Fleenor was an editorial project manager. She enjoys all things wacky, techie and entertaining, and she's usually off binge-watching films and television shows (and writing them in her spare time).
Sarah Tew Senior Editor / Photography
I'm a visual storyteller, working primarily in the medium of photography and photoshop. I listen to more podcasts than I can keep up with and enjoy gardening, cooking, reading, and am striving for a sustainable lifestyle. A big-picture thinker, I am always trying to put the pieces together, and though things are scary these days, I believe humanity will pull through.
Caitlin Petrakovitz
Rebecca Fleenor
Sarah Tew
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1 of 26 Apple/Screenshot by CNET

Welcome to the new frontier of Apple TV Plus

With a decent catalog of already announced shows coming to the company's new Apple TV Plus service, we kept an eye out for the celebs spotted during the event. Here's who we spotted and why we think they were there.

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Tim Cook and Oprah Winfrey

Tim Cook sheds a tear as he hugs Oprah Winfrey at the conclusion of today's Apple event.

damien-chazelle
3 of 26 Apple/Screenshot by CNET

Director Damien Chazelle

Seen on the filmmaker's teaser, all we know is Chazelle is working on a untitled drama series.

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4 of 26 Apple/Screenshot by CNET

Director M. Night Shyamalan

Also from the filmmakers teaser, he's working on a thriller series and set to direct the first episode. 

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5 of 26 Apple/Screenshot by CNET

Actress Octavia Spencer

Spencer will star in the series Are You Sleeping?

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Director Ron Howard

Howard is working with Kevin Durant on Swagger, a series based on KD's childhood. 

Apple TV Plus
7 of 26 Apple/Screenshot by CNET

Apple TV Plus

As part of today's announcements, a series of celebrities took the stage to give us a sneak preview of their upcoming programs available on the platform.

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8 of 26 Apple/Screenshot by CNET

Actresses Hailee Steinfeld and Jane Krakowski

The duo will star in upcoming series Dickinson. Steinfeld plays poet Emily Dickinson and Krakowski her mother. 

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9 of 26 Apple/Screenshot by CNET

Actresses Rashida Jones and Jada Pinkett Smith

Jones will star in the Sophia Coppola-directed film On The Rocks with Bill Murray. Smith produced the coming-of-age drama Hala, which Apple purchased at Sundance.

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10 of 26 Apple/Screenshot by CNET

Captain America Chris Evans

Evans is producing and starring in Defending Jacob, about a man searching for his lost son. (No word on whether the series will also star Cap's beard.)

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Director Steven Spielberg

Spielberg announced his fantasy anthology series Amazing Stories will debut on the platform.

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Amazing Stories: Coming soon?

Spielberg gave a brief outline of the series and its sci-fi background.

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13 of 26 Apple/Screenshot by CNET

Actresses Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston

The two presented their upcoming series, The Morning Show. The series follows the anchors and background players of, yes, a morning show.

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14 of 26 Apple/Screenshot by CNET

Actor Steve Carell

Witherspoon and Aniston were joined onstage by costar, Steve Carell. Carrell plays Mitch Kessler, the lead anchor of the titular show.

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15 of 26 Apple/Screenshot by CNET

Morning Show: Coming soon?

The show sounds will tackle gender issues in office politics, among other things and seems like a likely debut show for the Apple TV Plus service when it launches this fall. 

Jason Momoa and Alfre Woodard
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Actors Jason Momoa and Alfre Woodard

Momoa and Woodard introduced their sci-fi show See

Jason Momoa and Alfre Woodard
17 of 26 Apple/Screenshot by CNET

See

The show is set in a future world where humanity has lost its sight as the result of a virus hundreds of years ago and the survivors' battle. 

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18 of 26 Apple/Screenshot by CNET

Comedian, actor, Kumail Nanjiani

Nanjiani is producing a series called Little America with his wife Emily V. Gordon.

Kumail Nanjiani
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Little America

The series follows a 12-year-old immigrant who single-handedly runs a motel in Utah while working to bring his family (back) to the United States. All while placing 13th in the National Spelling Bee. 

Big Bird
20 of 26 Apple/Screenshot by CNET

Big Bird

Hmm, this guy looks famous too. The Sesame Street character also made an appearance.

Big Bird
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Helpsters

Big Bird was on hand with neighbor Cody to announce a new program called Helpsters from the makers of Sesame Street.

JJ Abrams and Sara Bareilles
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J.J. Abrams and Sara Bareilles

Abrams and Bareilles announced a program about a young female musician trying to make it in New York City, called Little Voice.

Sara Bareilles
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Little Voice

Bareilles performed the theme song of the series during the event.

Oprah Winfrey
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One more thing: Oprah

Oprah will be producing an interview show about her Book Club, and two docuseries. One doc will focus on mental health and depression. 

Oprah Winfrey
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Toxic Labor

The second announced doc will focus on sexual harassment in the workplace.

Tim Cook and Oprah Winfrey
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Tim and Oprah

Even Apple CEO Tim Cook seemed touched by Oprah's charm and star power at the event. 

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