Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson are longtime friends, frequent onscreen collaborators and, in Apple TV’s new comedy Brothers, possibly family?
The series follows fictionalized versions of the duo after Woody’s daughter’s engagement falls apart, prompting him to pack up his family and head to Austin, Texas for an extended stay at Matthew’s ranch.
What starts as a chance for Woody and his family to regroup quickly takes an unexpected turn when Matthew’s mother, Ma Mac, accidentally reveals a decades-old family secret that suggests the two friends might actually be brothers. While Woody becomes determined to uncover the truth, Matthew is dealing with his own complications, including the possibility of running for governor of Texas.
The first two episodes of Brothers are now available to stream on Apple TV after premiering on September 23, 2026. Moving forward, one new episode will drop every Wednesday, continuing through the season finale on November 4, 2026.
Here’s a look at the Brothers cast and the characters they play.
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‘Brothers’ Cast & Characters List
Here’s who plays who in Brothers, from Matthew and Woody to the supporting cast:
Woody Harrelson as Woody
Known From: Cheers, True Detective, The Hunger Games, Zombieland, Natural Born Killers
Woody Harrelson plays a fictionalized version of himself as Woody, a free-spirited, unpredictable family man who means well even if he’s a bit emotionally inept when it comes to the many women in his family. When his daughter Olive’s engagement falls apart, Woody struggles to do much more than stand by as she cries. Trying to help in his own way, he decides that getting everyone away from the chaos and into a simpler life at Matthew’s Austin ranch could give the family some room to breathe, recalibrate and figure out what’s next.
That plan takes an unexpected turn when Matthew’s mother reveals the possibility that he and Matthew could actually be brothers. Woody becomes determined to uncover the truth, turning his attempt to help his family regroup into a much bigger quest.
Matthew McConaughey as Matthew
Known From: Interstellar, Dallas Buyers Club, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, The Wedding Planner
Matthew McConaughey also plays a fictionalized version of himself as Matthew, a Texas rancher, husband and father who is more grounded and measured than his buddy.
While Woody tends to dive headfirst into his latest ideas, Matthew is more focused on keeping his family and his own plans on track. He is considering a potential run for governor of Texas and struggling to prepare a speech honoring his late father, Big Mac, when Woody and his family arrive at the ranch. The unexpected visit and the revelation that Woody could actually be his brother leave Matthew trying to unravel the family mystery while keeping the rest of his life from going off course.
Holland Taylor as Ma Mac
Known From: Two and a Half Men, The Practice, Legally Blonde, The Morning Show
Holland Taylor plays Ma Mac, Matthew’s mother and the person who spills the beans about the longtime family secret. Ma Mac is outspoken, mischievous and a bit ornery at times. After casually mentioning that she knew Woody’s father, she sends Woody down a rabbit hole as he tries to figure out whether the two could actually be brothers.
Brittany Ishibashi as Joy
Known From: Runaways, Grace and Frankie, The Office
Brittany Ishibashi plays Joy, Woody’s wife and the mother of Olive and Kai. As Woody becomes increasingly consumed with his personal quest, Joy has to contend with his latest obsession while helping the family adjust to their unexpected stay in Austin. She also becomes a source of comfort for Olive as her daughter deals with the fallout from her broken engagement, often stepping in to provide the emotional support Woody struggles to offer. The character is fictionalized for the series, although Ishibashi has said she drew inspiration from getting to know Woody Harrelson’s real-life wife, Laura Louie.
Highdee Kuan as Olive
Known From: The Brothers Sun, Interior Chinatown, Fear the Night
Highdee Kuan plays Olive, Woody and Joy’s oldest daughter, who is absolutely distraught after her engagement falls apart. Her heartbreak is what sets the family’s move to Austin in motion, with Woody convinced that some time at Matthew’s ranch and a slower pace of life could help her feel better. As Olive tries to figure out what comes next, she has to adjust to the family’s new living arrangement, and potentially a new uncle.
Oona Yaffe as Kai
Known From: Sleepy Hollow, Before You Know It, One True Loves
Oona Yaffe plays Kai, Woody and Joy’s younger daughter, who finds herself swept along when the family heads to Texas. While the adults get increasingly tangled up in the family mystery, Kai has plenty of her own things happening at the ranch. She quickly hits it off with Matthew’s son Wyatt, and their newfound connection adds another layer to the already complicated dynamic between the families.
Natalie Martinez as Valentina
Known From: Self/less, Under the Dome, The Fugitive, Bad Monkey, Detroit 1-8-7
Natalie Martinez plays Valentina, Matthew’s wife and the mother of his three children. While Matthew is preoccupied with his potential political future and Woody’s increasingly chaotic investigation, Valentina is always a stable and grounding presence for their family.
Nolan Almeida as Wyatt
Known From: Christmas on Repeat, Fish
Nolan Almeida plays Wyatt, Matthew’s teenage son, who is a sensitive and introspective kid. More on the quiet side, Wyatt likes to journal and is just trying to navigate the awkwardness of adolescence as his family’s life gets turned upside down. He doesn’t necessarily share his father’s interests, which can make it a bit difficult for the two to connect at times.
Ella Grace Helton as Clara
Known From: Sweet Magnolias, United We Fall, Hubie Halloween
Ella Grace Helton plays Clara, Matthew’s grade-school daughter. Clara is notably precocious and has an unexpectedly mature way of looking at the world, including keeping an eye on the financial markets and approaching family matters with a blunt confidence.
Noah Carganilla as River
Known From: Brothers marks Noah Carganilla’s first credited acting role
Noah Carganilla plays River, Matthew’s youngest child. River doesn’t fully understand what is happening around him or why Woody and his family have suddenly arrived at the ranch, but that doesn’t seem to bother him much. He’s simply happy to have a full house, lots of people around and plenty going on to keep him entertained.
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