Time-Bending Action Meets Emotion in Hartley’s Newest Sci-Fi Role
Justin Hartley continues to diversify his acting portfolio with his latest casting in the upcoming Apple TV+ original series Chronos Protocol, a high-concept sci-fi drama exploring time manipulation, personal loss, and geopolitical warfare. Slated to begin production early next year, the series positions Hartley as a former intelligence officer recruited into a secret time-travel operation to prevent catastrophic global events.
A Time-Twisting Story with Real Human Stakes
In Chronos Protocol, Hartley plays Commander Aidan Blackwell, a war veteran who lost his family in a terrorist bombing that should never have happened. When a covert agency reveals they’ve developed a way to send individuals into the past—but only by days or hours—Blackwell sees a chance for redemption.
Showrunner Elena Zhao (Parallel Fault, Echoes of Eden) describes the show as a mix between Jack Ryan and Dark, blending political intrigue with mind-bending science fiction. “It’s about the choices we make under pressure,” Zhao said. “Justin brings a grounded emotionality that anchors the chaos.”
Each episode will follow Blackwell’s missions as he navigates split timelines, rogue time agents, and ethical dilemmas around rewriting history. Hartley’s performance is expected to be both physically intense and emotionally complex, marking a significant shift from his recent network TV work.
Apple TV+’s Most Ambitious Sci-Fi Yet?
With an eight-episode season confirmed and a multi-season arc in development, Chronos Protocol is one of Apple TV+’s largest investments in genre storytelling. The streamer has enlisted Emmy-winning director Michelle MacLaren (Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad) to helm the pilot, and Oscar-winner Ludwig Göransson will score the show.
“It’s easily the most layered and demanding role I’ve ever taken,” Hartley shared. “It forces you to question: If you could change the past, would you risk everything—including yourself?”
