TV creator and showrunner Bill Lawrence had a dream come true by meeting one of his favorite authors, Carl Hiaasen, whose novel inspired Lawrence’s new series “Bad Monkey” on Apple TV+. Lawrence expressed his admiration for Hiaasen’s storytelling and character development that influenced his own work, including the popular show “Scrubs.” The show stars Vince Vaughn, embodying the witty humor of both Hiaasen and Lawrence.

In “Bad Monkey,” Vaughn plays Andrew Yancy, a former Miami detective turned restaurant inspector, who gets entangled in a mysterious case involving a human arm. The story touches on themes of greed and power as Yancy is portrayed as an unwavering character who relentlessly pursues justice. The cast also includes Natalie Martinez as a medical examiner and Meredith Hagner as a pivotal character, Eve.

Vaughn, who has a long-standing friendship with Lawrence, praised the script and his character, considering Yancy’s determined nature as inspirational. The show also features Michelle Monaghan as Bonnie, providing a comedic and complex dynamic to the storyline. Ronald Peet, who plays a fisherman named Neville, highlighted the flexibility and growth opportunities that improvisation brought to the set.

Filming took place in South Florida, offering the cast an authentic experience of the local environment’s laid-back atmosphere and natural beauty. The scenic backdrop added to the actors’ performances, with Vaughn appreciating the unique filming location. Martinez, a Miami native, cherished the opportunity to reconnect with her roots during production.

Lawrence’s daughter Charlotte made her acting debut on the show, portraying Eve’s stepdaughter, Caitlin. Despite being in the spotlight due to her parents’ fame, Charlotte expressed gratitude for the chance to pursue her passion for performing. Lawrence emphasized the joy of working with his daughter and encouraged others to embrace similar opportunities with their children, regardless of outside opinions.