Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey star in Apple TV’s “Brothers.”
Provided by Apple TV
If you needed more proof that “Brothers” was filmed in Austin, the third episode practically doubles down.
Matthew McConaughey prepares to soft launch his gubernatorial campaign in the third episode of the Apple TV show while turning Austin into a supporting character, with familiar downtown backdrops and local favorites in the mix.
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New episodes of “Brothers” come out every Wednesday through Nov. 2.
Here’s what happened in Episode 3.
Episode 3: Matthew becomes a candidate, Woody gets a puppy
Matthew McConaughey spotted at Home Slice Pizza on Congress Ave. on Saturday Nov. 8, 2025.
Provided by Home Slice Pizza
The episode picks up with McConaughey fully embracing his gubernatorial ambitions.
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We see him announcing his campaign with the Texas Capitol looming behind him, followed by a very Austin campaign tour. He walks down South Congress, passes Jo’s Coffee and Amy’s Ice Cream and grabs a scoop. He walks by the Continental Club, then heads to Home Slice Pizza, where he holds babies Pope-style.
Then we get Franklin Barbecue. McConaughey chats with pitmaster Aaron Franklin and gets a taste of the Austin-famous bark.
But while McConaughey is busy building his political image, he is discovering that campaigning and actually answering political questions are two very different things.
He gets hit with a question about Chapter 313 abatements and has absolutely no idea how to respond like a seasoned political candidate.
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“Obviously I need to brush up on my policy,” he admits.
At least he’s self-aware.
The campaign scenes continue around downtown Austin, including Republic Square, as McConaughey tries to figure out what exactly it means to run for governor.
His preparation is, to put it generously, unconventional.
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He listens to political podcasts while cleaning the house and starts learning terms like “recidivism.”
A little Woody never killed anybody
The first two episodes of “Brothers” are available on Apple TV, starring Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey.
Provided by Apple TV
Meanwhile, Woody is dealing with a crisis of his own.
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The two men who have been hunting him down over his father’s debt are still after him, keeping the threat from Episode 2 alive.
But Harrelson also has another secret to deal with. He tells his daughter Olive about his suspicion that he and McConaughey might actually be related.
Rather than immediately launch into a family DNA investigation, Woody decides to distract everyone with a puppy.
He calls the dog “Little Woody.” This does not solve anything.
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McConaughey is increasingly consumed by his gubernatorial campaign and his sudden obsession with cleaning up the house. He doesn’t have time to take care of the puppy, which creates another source of tension between the two friends.
Eventually, they give Little Woody away. But the little McConaugheys want him back. Eventually, the dog is readopted.
Natalie Martinez, Highdee Kuan, Brittany Ishibashi, Oona Yaffe, Holland Taylor, Noah Carganilla, Ella Grace Helton and Nolan Almeida in “Brothers,” now streaming on Apple TV.
Provided by Apple TV
After a family reunion with Little Woody, McConaughey sits down to drink what appears to be a Twisted X Brewing Co. Austin Lager.
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Woody eventually has a calm conversation with Ma Mac.
He tells her that he isn’t interested in proving whether he and McConaughey are actually related by DNA.
The two then share an ice bong.
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But after they share that truce, Woody still asks Olive to order a DNA test.
At this point, “Brothers” has made its formula pretty clear: McConaughey is following the gubernatorial ambitions of his late father, Harrelson is trying to figure out his family history, and Austin keeps showing up everywhere.