Owen Wilson's New Show: More Heart Than Hole-in-Ones

Apple TV's "The Fifth" offers a compelling narrative that prioritizes human connection over sports scores. The dramedy, created by Jason Keller, features Owen Wilson as retired golf pro Pryce Cahill, who mentors a promising young player named Santi. The series delves into themes of grief, redemption, and the concept of found family, all within an engaging sports framework.

Creator Jason Keller aimed to cast actors who could bring depth and personal resonance to the characters. He emphasized that the show's core lies in people navigating their relationships and understanding each other, making golf merely a contextual element. Owen Wilson’s portrayal of Pryce is central, embodying a character who has faced significant life challenges and is seeking self-acceptance and redemption.

Pryce’s character is portrayed as empathetic and sensitive, shaped by past traumas, including the loss of his young son. This history contributes to his gentle guidance of Santi. The writing process involved carefully handling Pryce's traumatic past to ensure authenticity and sensitivity within the show's narrative.

Peter Dager was cast as Santi after an extensive global search, impressing the creative team with his self-tape performance and subsequent readings. The series is set to explore Pryce's personal history and introduction to golf in a potential second season, further delving into his character development.