'Vital Signs' news, rumors: Dr. Dre to produce Apple's first TV series

Rap legend, Beats co-founder and Apple executive Dr. Dre (Andre Young) is set to produce and star in "Vital Signs," an Apple first original television series.

The series is hinted to be dark and obscene, according to The Hollywood Reporter, and that it will be a six-episode run. The show will be financially backed by Apple and will most likely have its first distribution through Apple Music since it already offers subscription streaming. However, it was not revealed if the series will also be available in the iTunes store, Apple TV or other platforms such as television networks.

The Rolling Stones' Daniel Kreps reported that Dr. Dre will strategically help the expansion of Apple Music into the bandwagon of original television programming. Filming reportedly started Monday, Feb. 15, at some mansion in Los Angeles. Sam Rockwell of "Iron Man 2" and Mo McCrae of "Wild" are to star alongside Dre.

The series is said to be directed by Paul Hunter, a music video veteran and known for directing music videos for Michael Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears and Eminem. Each episode will last half an hour and, similar to Netflix's distribution, all episodes of "Vital Signs" will most likely be launched all at once.

Apple Music's first highlight on video programming was the exclusive premiere of singer Taylor Swift's birthday gift to her fans, the "Taylor Swift: The 1989 World Tour" film, which aired in the streaming platform on Dec. 20, 2015.

Dre reportedly handpicked producer, writer and "Empire" co-executive Robert Munic to write the screenplay of all the episodes. Apple may trust Dre in this original brainchild as it backs the rapper in producing a series with purported heavy violence and sexual content.