Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson are bringing one of Hollywood's most enduring friendships to the screen in a series that plays on the rumour they are related.

The actors - famed for their partnership in True Detective - will star in the new comedy series Brothers, inspired by the long-running speculation the pair may be siblings.

Apple TV+'s comedy reunites Matthew, 56, and Woody, 64, more than a decade after they starred together in the acclaimed first season of True Detective.

Created by The Office producer Lee Eisenberg, the series premieres on September 23 and sees Matthew and Woody playing fictionalised versions of themselves.

The story centres on a revelation that threatens to upend their friendship when they uncover a decades-old family secret suggesting they could, in fact, be brothers.

The project marks a high-profile television return for both actors, whose friendship has long fascinated fans and has frequently generated headlines beyond their work on screen.

According to Apple TV+, the comedy unfolds at Matthew's ranch in Austin, Texas, where Woody arrives with his family after his daughter's wedding collapses.

The official logline states: "As Woody turns the ranch upside down in pursuit of the truth, Matthew finds himself juggling an entirely different identity crisis: a potential run for Governor of Texas. The result is a heartfelt, chaotic and wildly funny story about friendship, family, fame and the messy line between myth and reality."

The series is rooted in real-life comments made by Woody in recent years about the possibility the two actors share more than friendship.

Rumours about a family connection have circulated for years, fuelled by stories involving Matthew's mother and Woody's father.

In an interview with Esquire magazine in 2023, Woody said: "We haven't done a test, but there are too many times that I think to myself, My God, the similarities!

"The things he does, the things he says - just the way he is. I've felt that for years."

Matthew remains best known for films including Interstellar, Dallas Buyers Club, The Lincoln Lawyer and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, while Woody's career spans projects such as Cheers, Natural Born Killers, The Hunger Games franchise and Zombieland.

Their partnership in True Detective remains one of the most celebrated collaborations in modern television, with the HBO crime drama helping to redefine prestige television during its first season.

Joining the cast of Brothers is Holland Taylor, who plays Matthew's mother, Ma Mac.

The ensemble also includes Natalie Martinez, Brittany Ishibashi, Nolan Almeida, Ella Grace Helton, Noah Carganilla, Highdee Kuan and Oona Yaffe.

The series is produced by Paramount Television Studios for Apple TV+.

Lee executive produces alongside Matthew, Woody, Natalie Sandy, David West Read, Trish Hofmann, Bill Bost, Jeremy Plager, Jason Winer, David Finkel and Brett Baer.

Trent O'Donnell directed the pilot and additional episodes.

The first two episodes will be released on September 23, with new episodes arriving weekly through to November 4.

The project was first announced in 2023 and experienced several production delays.

David West Read originally served as writer, showrunner and executive producer before departing the series over creative differences, with Lee later taking over creative leadership of the show.