The Crowded Room is an American psychological thriller television miniseries developed by Akiva Goldsman that is based on Daniel Keyes’ 1981 non-fiction work The Minds of Billy Milligan. Tom Holland, Amanda Seyfried, and Emmy Rossum star alongside Sasha Lane, Will Chase, Lior Raz, Laila Robins, and Henry Eikenberry in the film
The series follows Danny Sullivan (Holland) after he gets jailed for his role in a shooting in New York City in 1979. Danny gradually reveals his life to interrogator Rya Goodwin (Seyfried) over a series of interviews, gradually revealing to Rya and the audience his enigmatic past that led him to the catastrophic incident. As Danny reflects on his life, he confronts his history and a few important situations, which finally leads him to a life-changing revelation.
The Crowded Room launched with three episodes on Apple TV+ on June 9, 2023. The next seven episodes will be released weekly till July 28, 2023.
Premise
A psychological thriller set in Manhattan in the summer of 1979, when a young man is arrested for a shocking crime—and an unlikely investigator must solve the mystery behind it.
Cast
Main
- Tom Holland as Danny Sullivan, a character based on Billy Milligan
- Amanda Seyfried as Rya Goodwin
- Sasha Lane as Ariana
- Will Chase as Marlin Reid
- Lior Raz as Yitzak Safdie
- Emmy Rossum as Candy Sullivan
Guest
- Emma Laird as Annabelle
- Thomas Sadoski as Matty Dunn
- Levon Hawke as Jonny
- Sam Vartholomeos as Mike
- Christopher Abbott as Stan Camisa
- Jason Isaacs as Jack Lamb
- Zachary Golinger as Young Danny Sullivan and Adam Sullivan
- Laila Robins as Susie
- Henry Eikenberry as Doug
- Henry Zaga as Philip
- Carmen Ejogo as Patricia Richards
Episodes
No. Title
- 1 “Exodus”
- 2 “Sanctuary”
- 3 “Murder”
- 4 “London”
- 5 “Savior”
- 6 “Rya”
- 7 “The Crowded Room”
- 8 “Reunion”
- 9 “Family”
- 10 “Judgment”
Development
Akiva Goldsman was supposed to write The Crowded Room, a 10-episode anthology television series for Apple TV+ in April 2021, based on Daniel Keyes’ nonfiction novel The Minds of Billy Milligan. Goldsman was also planned to produce the series with Tom Holland’s Weed Road, Alexandra Milchan’s EMJAG Productions, and Arnon Milchan, Yariv Milchan, and Michael Schaefer’s New Regency. The first season was eventually revealed to be inspired by Keyes’ book and based on Goldsman’s personal life. Kornél Mundruczó, together with Suzanne Heathcote, was appointed to helm the first season and serve as an executive producer. Akiva Goldsman, Henrietta Ashworth, Jessica Ashworth, Suzanne Heathcote, Cortney Norris, and Gregory are among the writers for the first season.
Casting
Holland was cast in the lead role of season one in April 2021, originally thought to be Billy Milligan, but subsequently confirmed to be a character named Danny Sullivan (still largely based on Milligan). According to Goldsman, Holland was “the first and only person” he sought to play Danny.Amanda Seyfried, Emmy Rossum, Will Chase, Sasha Lane, Christopher Abbott, and Emma Laird will join the cast in February 2022. Jason Isaacs and Lior Raz joined the cast in May.
Filming
The series’ principal photography began on March 31, 2022 in New York City. NBC Studios, located in the historic 30 Rockefeller Plaza, is one of the notable filming locations. Filming was completed on September 28, 2022.
Release
The Crowded Room debuted its first three episodes on June 9, 2023, and will continue to release one episode every week until July 28, 2023.