The highly anticipated eight-episode miniseries Surface premiered on Apple TV+ on July 29, 2022. Starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw in the lead role, the series follows Sophie, a woman grappling with extreme memory loss caused by a traumatic head injury—an incident believed to be a suicide attempt.
“As Sophie embarks on a quest to put the pieces of her life back together with the help of her husband and friends, she begins to question whether or not the truth she is told is in fact the truth she has lived.”
Surface is Apple TV+’s newest psychological thriller series, produced by Reese Witherspoon’s company Hello Sunshine (Credit: Apple)
Apple TV+ describes the series as “a story of self-discovery which contemplates if we are pre-programmed to become who we are, or if we choose our own identity.”
High Fidelity’s Veronica West produced Surface for Apple TV+ by Apple Studios and Reese Witherspoon’s media company Hello Sunshine.
In The Guardian’s review of Surface, the eight-episode Apple TV+ thriller is described as “terminally vibe-less,” despite Gugu Mbatha-Raw’s strong performance. The show struggles with a lack of tension and depth, leaving it feeling “like a mood board of other, better shows” without delivering a compelling or cohesive narrative.
Gugu Mbatha-Raw captivates in a daring, backless black gown while portraying the lead role in Apple TV+’s eight-episode psychological thriller, Surface (Credit: Apple TV)
In July 2022, the cast and producers of the miniseries gathered at New York City’s Morgan Library & Museum for the show’s premiere. Below are some of the stunning looks from the event.
1. Reese Witherspoon Stuns in Custom Schiaparelli With Gold Accents
The 46-year-old actress, co-executive producer of the series, arrived on the red carpet in a sleeveless white mini dress by Schiaparelli.
The elegant frock features gold accents with pearls, chains, crystals, and sequins. It also has a mock neck, padded shoulders, seams, and a straight hem cut right above her knees.
Reese Witherspoon arrives at the Surface premiere in a custom Schiaparelli knee-length dress with gold embellishments (Credit: ROGER WONG / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
Stylist Petra Flannery kept Reese Witherspoon’s look cohesive and classy with a pair of Christian Louboutin “Hot Chick” pumps in white patent leather.
Reese Witherspoon finishes off her classy monochromatic white outfit with Christian Louboutin Hot Chick pumps (Credit: ROGER WONG / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
A modern interpretation of a classic pump silhouette, these pumps are framed with a notched collar and finished with 4-inch stiletto heels.
Christian Louboutin’s Hot Chick features a classic pump silhouette updated with a notched, scalloped collar
Adding more sparkly elements to the look, the Legally Blonde star wore a pair of $600 Vrai round brilliant solitaire studs and several Briony Raymond rings, including a $16,000 Regent eternity ring, a $3,500 Slim Sloan ring, and an Estate diamond cocktail ring.
She carried a Perry clutch from Tyler Ellis and kept her beauty look simple with the help of her glam team, makeup artist Romy Soleimani, and hairstylist Lona Maria Vigi.
Her tresses were slicked back into a chic updo while her crystal blue eyes were accentuated with winged eyeliner. The Fear actress also wore a sweep of pink blush and finished the look with pink lip gloss.
Reese Witherspoon keeps her look elegant by wearing a chic updo and minimal makeup with winged eyeliner (Credit: ROGER WONG / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
Reese Witherspoon and Gugu Mbatha-Raw also worked together on Apple TV+’s The Morning Show.
2. Gugu Mbatha-Raw Turns Heads in Lime Green Alexander McQueen Gown
Surface lead star Gugu Mbatha-Raw looked every bit the movie star in a lime green gown from Alexander McQueen’s Autumn/Winter 2022 collection.
This tangy gown features crinkled texture, ruched detailing, a dramatic bow, a built-in cape, and asymmetric off-the-shoulder sleeves that create a flattering silhouette.
Gugu Mbatha-Raw is hard to ignore in a crinkled lime green Alexander McQueen gown (Credit: Janet Mayer / Startraksphoto / Cover Images)
“The structure of the dress was so striking, and had real architecture to it,” Mbatha-Raw told Vogue.
The 39-year-old actress, who admitted that it was her first time wearing Alexander McQueen on a red carpet, added: “There’s something about this dress that’s very feminine, but it also has an edge to it, which is something you always find with McQueen.”
Gugu Mbatha-Raw styles her curly tresses in pigtail braids and wears mascara and black liner to accentuate her eyes (Credit: ROGER WONG / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
Showing her penchant for green color, the Belle actress accessorized her look with green Cartier jewels, curated by stylist Leith Clark. She wore a High Jewelry cuff and a pair of earrings made of platinum, diamonds, and peridots.
“Green is the color of the Heart Chakra. I love what green represents: life and freshness.”
Gugu Mbatha-Raw pairs her striking gown with clear Iona mules from Malone Souliers (Credit: ROGER WONG / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
As for her footwear, the British actress selected Malone Souliers’ “Iona” mules. They are crafted from transparent PVC with metallic silver straps finished with 2.6-inch heels.
The Malone Souliers Iona mules feature clear PVC and metallic silver straps
3. Ari Graynor Channels Morticia Addams Vibes in Christian Siriano
Giving Morticia Addams vibes was 39-year-old actress Ari Graynor, who plays Caroline in Surface.
She wore a floor-sweeping button-lined navy dress from Christian Siriano featuring an off-the-shoulder neckline, long sleeves, and a fitted silhouette that displayed her slender figure.
Ari Graynor channeling Morticia Addams in Christian Siriano button-lined navy dress (Credit: Janet Mayer / Startraksphoto / Cover Images)
To add some bling, the Bad Teacher actress wore statement pearl-drop earrings and chunky silver cuffs. She continued the Morticia Addams vibe with sleek, center-parted tresses.
Ari Graynor styles her tresses straight with a middle parting and wears minimal makeup with nude lipstick (Credit: Janet Mayer / Startraksphoto / Cover Images)
4. Millie Brady Oozes Regal Elegance in Chanel Tweed Coat Dress
The Last Kingdom’s Millie Brady plays the role of Eliza in the new miniseries. And for the premiere, she decided on a regal look from Chanel.
The 28-year-old actress wore a cream-colored coat dress done in the fashion house’s signature tweed. Though not seasonally appropriate, the outfit looked undeniably flawless on the actress.
Millie Brady exudes regal elegance in a cream Chanel tweed coat dress paired flawlessly with classic Mary Jane pumps and a dainty pearl-accented belt (Credit: Janet Mayer / Startraksphoto / Cover Images)
The floor-length number is accented with gold buttons and features an upturned collar, long sleeves, and padded shoulders. Underneath, she wore cropped leggings teamed with Chanel Mary Jane heels.
To emphasize her tiny waist, Millie added a dainty leather-and-chain belt with pearl accents, also from Chanel.
Millie Brady highlights her eyes with mascara and eyeliner and wears her glossy tresses in a bun with face-framing fringe (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
Explore Apple TV+ Red Carpet Fashion and Celebrity Style
For readers interested in more celebrity fashion at Apple TV+ premieres, explore our coverage of Natalie Portman’s stunning Dior ensemble at the Lady in the Lake premiere, where she captivated audiences with her elegant style.
Additionally, discover how Maisie Williams embraced Christian Dior’s iconic silhouette at The New Look series premiere, showcasing her vintage-inspired attire. You might also enjoy our detailed analysis of the Ted Lasso cast’s heights, where we delve into the actors’ statures and their on-screen personas.
These articles provide deeper insights into the intersection of high fashion and television premieres, aligning with your interests.