In for a PENNY

What to expect from a star-spangled search to find good luck from the makers of Toy Story...

- REBECCA FLETCHER

LUCK

FROM FRIDAY 5 AUGUST, APPLE TV+ ANIMATION

Meet spirited Sam Greenfield, AKA the unluckiest person in the world and the character at the heart of Luck, a brand-new animated film launching M on Apple TV+ this Friday.

Whether it's losing her keys down a manhole, never finding a pair of matching socks, or getting a flat tyre on her bike on her first day in a new job, bad luck follows the 18-year-old wherever she goes.

Things, however, take a magical turn when Sam stumbles into the never-seen-before Land of Luck, where humans aren't allowed, and teams up with a talking black cat called Bob, voiced by The Undeclared War's Simon Pegg, in a bid to turn her fortunes around.

'It's a lovely story about the importance of friendship and family, and it's a riproaring adventure as well,' says Simon, 52, who's part of an A-list voice cast that also includes Hollywood favourites Jane Fonda and Whoopi Goldberg.

Here, TV Times guides you through the fantasy epic...

SAM'S STORY

Broadway star Eva Noblezada voices tenacious Sam, who grew up in the foster-care system and takes all the bad luck she encounters in her stride, caring more about others than herself.

'Sam's determined and extremely optimistic,' says Eva, 26. 'She's also a realist about what her luck hinders her from being able to do and what she's capable of. Nevertheless, she persists!"

About to leave care and move out of Summerland Home for Girls, Sam's last wish is to help her bunkmate, five-year-old Hazel (Adelynn Spoon), find the 'forever family' Sam never managed to.

It's a storyline that prompted the creative team - who were also the brains behind hit films Toy Story, The Incredibles and Cars - to reach out to people who grew up in foster care to learn about their experiences.