The Best Of Us: Everything You Need To Know About The Upcoming Limited Series

Key facts

Genre: Limited series (legal drama) inspired by true events
Service: Paramount+
No. of episodes: 6
Release date: TBA
Release schedule: TBA
Stars: Jeremy Strong, Barry Pepper

The Best of Us is an upcoming Paramount+ original limited series that dramatizes a landmark case and legal war to secure compensation for the first responders who fell gravely ill after 9/11. It’s a day Americans will never forget, but when the real-life heroes from 9/11 needed help, our institutions failed them.

The six-episode limited series, formerly known by its working title, 9/12, stars Emmy® and Tony® winner and Oscar® nominees Jeremy Strong and Andrea Riseborough, and Emmy® winner Barry Pepper. The Best of Us is written, directed, and executive produced by Tobias Lindholm, and written and executive produced by Frank Pugliese.

This project reminds us why storytelling matters,” says Jane Wiseman, Head of Originals at Paramount+. “Working with visionaries like Tobias, Frank, and Jeremy has set the tone for the kind of ambitious, resonant narratives Paramount+ will champion.” Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about The Best of Us: the story, cast, release information, and how to watch.

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What is the series about?

The Best of Us is a dramatized series about a real-life lawsuit to secure compensation for first responders who fell ill in the wake of 9/11. The relentless legal war is fought for over a decade by class action lawyer Jason Smith, played by Jeremy Strong. The legal battle results in almost $1 billion in compensation and exposes the politics, greed, corruption, and betrayal of the institutions we trust and believe in.

Jeremy Strong says the series is about “our first responders whose official response time on 9/11 was five seconds. But it is also about the ways our institutions failed to respond to those heroes—whom we pledged we would never forget—in their moment of greatest need.”

When and where to watch

The limited, six-episode series will stream exclusively on Paramount+. A release date has not yet been announced, but production is set to begin this summer, with the series launching in 2027.

Who is in the cast?

Here’s a rundown of the announced cast for The Best of Us:

Jeremy Strong as Jason Smith

Emmy® and Tony® Award winner and Oscar® nominee Jeremy Strong portrays the class action attorney Jason Smith in The Best of Us. Smith risks everything to take on powerful institutions as he leads the legal fight on behalf of the first responders.

Where you’ve seen him: Succession, The Apprentice, The Trial of the Chicago 7, Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere

Barry Pepper as Coach

Emmy® winner Barry Pepper will play a 9/11 first responder, a former NYPD officer who is diagnosed with leukemia as a result of his work at Ground Zero. Coach becomes the public face of the lawsuit despite initial reluctance.

Where you’ve seen him: Saving Private Ryan, The Kennedys, Lawmen: Bass Reeves, The Green Mile, True Grit

Andrea Riseborough as Molly

Oscar® nominee Andrea Riseborough joins the cast as Molly, Coach’s wife who is focused on her husband’s health and concerned about her family’s future – so much so that actively seeks legal help from Jason (Jeremy Strong).

Where you’ve seen her: To Leslie, The Regime

Neal Huff as Peter Allen

Neal Huff will portray Jason’s (Strong) level-headed colleague at the law firm. He serves as a sounding board for initial questions, helping determine the viability of the case.

Where you’ve seen him: Fallout, A Murder at the End of the World

Gaby Hoffmann as Kathleen McCormick

Emmy® nominee Gaby Hoffman joins The Best of Us cast as Kathleen McCormick, a longtime New York firefighter and activist who is deeply affected by the ongoing casualties from the 9/11 disaster.

Where you’ve seen her: Transparent, Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere

Sky Yang

Sky Yang joins the cast as “the lost son,” a character described as a mysterious homeless man who has experienced hardship from a young age.

Where you’ve seen her: Last Days, Rebel Moon

Who created the series?

The Best of Us is written and executive produced by Tobias Lindholm and Frank Pugliese. Lindholm, known for his previous work on the Oscar®-nominated film The War and the TV drama The Investigation, is also directing the series. Pugliese is most remembered as the co-showrunner of House of Cards. The series is produced by Paramount Television Studios and the global production company SISTER.

Lindholm and Pugliese are well suited to bring this character-driven true story to life. “Tobias has created a heroic underdog story that we know Jeremy will brilliantly bring to life. I’m thrilled to be reunited with Frank and we are equally proud to partner with Sister on this timeless story as our first limited series for our Paramount+,” says Matt Thunell, President, Paramount Television Studios.

Why this series stands out

This series stands out because it brings to light true events that highlight human resilience, justice, greed, and institutional accountability. It is an emotional, character-driven story created by an accomplished team, with acclaimed actors Strong and Pepper taking on key roles.

The Best of Us is one of the first original productions under the new Paramount+ and Paramount Television Studios leadership and is one of Paramount’s notable upcoming, prestigious limited series.

Stream more Paramount+ originals

The Best of Us will stream exclusively on Paramount+ in 2027, so be sure to come back here for future updates on the release date, casting announcements, trailer, and more. While you wait, explore more acclaimed Paramount+ original dramas such as Lioness, SEAL Team, and more.

FAQ

Is The Best of Us based on a true story?

Yes, The Best of Us is based on a true, landmark case that fought for first responders who fell ill in the wake of 9/11. The characters are fictional, but inspired by real-life people, and the story is dramatized but based on an authentic lawsuit.