Summary
- Apple TV+ offers a wide range of genres, from comedy to sci-fi to psychological thrillers, providing quality content for diverse audiences.
-
Ted Lasso
is Apple TV+’s best show, praised for its honest depiction of mental health and strong portrayal of female characters. -
The Afterparty
is a hit comedy anthology series featuring a new cast of characters and murder mysteries with a dash of hilarity.
Having quickly established itself as one of the world’s leading streaming services, the best Apple TV+ shows include some of the most talked-about current series. Apple started producing its own original content in 2016, ramping up production after launching its own streaming service, Apple TV+, in 2019. Some of the biggest stars in Hollywood, including Jennifer Aniston, Harrison Ford, and Jason Sudeikis, have appeared in original programs for Apple TV+, cementing its status as a reputable brand. Before too long, Apple had its own TV shows to rival the biggest hits on streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
Every new show on Apple TV+ adds to a roster that covers a wide range of genres, from comedy to science fiction to psychological thrillers. The sprawling original content library on Apple TV+ is home to feel-good comedies including Ted Lasso and Schmigadoon!, and dark, unsettling dramas like Severance. While Apple TV+’s catalog isn’t as expansive as other streaming services, its more boutique approach still offers plenty of quality content. As such, the best TV shows on Apple TV+ are well worth closer consideration from audiences — whatever they’re interested in.
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Best Comedy TV Shows On Apple TV+
Sunny (2024)
Sunny (2024)
Suzie, an American woman living in Kyoto, Japan, grapples with the mysterious disappearance of her husband and son in a plane crash. Given a domestic robot named Sunny by her husband’s company, Suzie initially resents Sunny but soon they form a unique bond. Together, they uncover the dark truth behind her family’s disappearance, becoming entangled in a dangerous and hidden world.
- Release Date
- July 10, 2024
- Cast
- Rashida Jones , Hidetoshi Nishijima , Joanna Sotomura , Judy Ongg , Jun Kunimura
- Seasons
- 1
- Writers
- Katie Robbins
2024 continues to be a strong year for new shows on Apple TV+, and July saw the introduction of one of the funniest — and darkest — comedies on the streaming shows so far: Sunny. Screenwriter Katie Sullivan and actor Rashida Jones teamed up as co-producers for this adaptation of the novel The Dark Manual by Irish writer Colin O’Sullivan. The premise of Sunny feels almost like an episode of Black Mirror, which partly explains it’s early success with subscribers, though it’s the execution of the idea, and the dark humor it brings, that makes this one of the best shows currently on Apple TV+.
Rashida Jones stars in Sunny as Suzie Sakamoto. Living in Kyoto, Suzie is grieving over the disappearance of her sun and husband, who were involved in a plane crash and their bodies never recovered. She is then gifted with a live-in robot, Sunny, by Imatech. Suzie is, of course, suspicious, and it soon becomes clear that Sunny may not be all they initially seem, and Imatech may have hidden motivations behind their “gift”.
Ted Lasso (2020-2023)
![](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/ted-lasso.jpg)
Ted Lasso
Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) is an American football coach who moves to England when he’s hired to manage a struggling soccer team despite having no experience. With cynical players and a doubtful town, Ted will have to convince them that he’s fit for the job. Ted Lasso has become one of Apple TV Plus’ most successful shows, earning over 10 Primetime Emmys.
- Release Date
- August 14, 2020
- Seasons
- 3
Belying its humble origins of NBC Sports promo media for the English Premier League, Ted Lasso is much better than a show adapted from commercials has any right to be, and is Apple TV+’s best show. Reprising his role from NBC Sports’ Premier League promos, Jason Sudeikis shines as the endlessly optimistic coach, drafted in to lead a struggling English football team to victory. Ted may be a fish out of water, but he makes everyone around him believe in themselves, and he in turn learns a lot about who he is.
Ted Lasso seasons 1 and 2 were critically acclaimed and won multiple Emmys, including Outstanding Comedy and Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Sudeikis. Ted Lasso season 3 was a bit uneven, but still maintained the show’s honest depiction of mental health and strong portrayal of fully-rounded female characters. It’s unclear if Ted Lasso season 4 will happen for Apple TV+, but if the titular coach taught viewers anything, it’s to believe.
In 2021,
Ted Lasso
became the most nominated new comedy in Emmy history, winning seven of its 20 Primetime Emmy nominations — including Outstanding Comedy Series.
Mythic Quest (2020-Present)
![Mythic Quest TV Poster](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/mythic-quest-tv-poster.jpg)
Mythic Quest
From the creatives behind It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia comes Mythic Quest, a comedy-drama series that stars Rob McElhenney and Charlotte Nicdao in the title roles. Set in a fictional game development studio for a game called Mythic Quest, the cast navigates the challenges of trying to keep a massively multiplayer online game running and profitable. At the same time, egos and personalities clash in the workplace, as creative directors, engineers, HR, writers, and monetization teams are forced to scale their ambitions appropriately for the sake of the project.
- Release Date
- February 7, 2020
- Cast
- Rob McElhenney , Ashley Burch , Jessie Ennis , Imani Hakim , David Hornsby , Charlotte Nicdao , Danny Pudi , F. Murray Abraham , Naomi Ekperigin
- Seasons
- 3
The workplace sitcom has long been a popular TV subgenre, and though Mythic Quest isn’t in the same pop culture stratosphere as The Office or Parks and Rec, it deserves to be. The Apple TV+ show centers around the day-to-day happenings and shenanigans at the studio that produces the titular video game, an MMORPG created by the arrogant Ian Grimm (Rob McElhenny). Ian frequently clashes with his socially awkward yet brilliant lead engineer Poppy Li (Charlotte Nicdao), but beneath their feuding is an almost sweet creative respect.
Mythic Quest is a comedy series with something for everyone. Gamers will revel in the peek behind the curtain the show offers while non-gamers will still be able to relate to the everyday frustrations of office life. In the middle of each season is a flashback episode showing the creative origin story of someone important to Mythic Quest‘s development. Few shows celebrate following creative dreams like Mythic Quest, and it does so in a way that is never overly sentimental or twee.
Shrinking (2023-Present)
![Shrinking New TV Poster](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shrinking-new-tv-poster.jpg)
Shrinking
Shrinking is a comedy/drama series on Apple TV+ that stars Jason Segel as Jimmy Johns, a therapist currently grieving over the loss of his wife while juggling the responsibilities of being a therapist, a father, and more. During his own process, Jimmy begins to breach the code of ethics of his profession by trying to help others by telling them exactly what he thinks about their situation. With an admirable goal in mind that may have unforeseen consequences, Jimmy begins to change the lives of his patients – and his own.
- Release Date
- January 27, 2023
- Seasons
- 1
From Ted Lasso’s Bill Lawrence and Brett Goldstein, Shrinking stars Jason Segel as Jimmy, a grieving therapist who ignores the rule book and tells his patients exactly what he thinks. Understandably, this unorthodox approach doesn’t sit right with Dr. Paul Rhoades (Harrison Ford), the foil to Jimmy and senior therapist at the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Center.
Shrinking‘s potentially fraught themes are balanced by Segel’s signature dry wit and goofiness, with Jimmy succeeding as both a parody and a realistic depiction of a classic trope. Undoubtedly one of Apple TV+’s best 2023 shows, Shrinking is a quirky study of grief with a huge heart and a powerful message about dealing with loss. The always reliable Segel finally got recognized for his TV talents, and earned an Emmy nomination for Shrinking.
![A composite image of Harrison Ford forcing Jason Segal to smile with Harrison Ford looking annoyed with his glasses on his forehead in Shrinking](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shrinking-season-2.jpg)
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The Afterparty (2022-2023)
![The Afterparty TV Poster](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/the-afterparty-tv-poster.png)
The Afterparty
The Afterparty is a murder-mystery comedy series created for Apple TV+. The show structure focuses on several different characters that all attend an afterparty event with a murder central to the story. A detective interrogates the partygoers to reveal the culprit in each episode, with each person’s accounts of the night given unique directorial flourishes that show inconsistencies in the overall case.
- Release Date
- January 28, 2022
- Cast
- Tiffany Haddish , Sam Richardson , Zoe Chao , Ike Barinholtz , Ben Schwartz , Ilana Glazer , Jamie Demetriou , Dave Franco
Put a who’s who of comedy heavyweights in a room, add a murder, and the result is the hit comedy The Afterparty.Apple TV+’s anthology comedy series features a new cast of characters and a new shindig every season, with Tiffany Haddish reaching comedic highs as Detective Danner. Danner is the constant in the show, who returns each season to investigate the killing at the center of the story. Season 1 focuses on the afterparty of a high school reunion, while season 2 takes place the day after a wedding.
Anthology series are becoming more and more popular, and for good reason — switching out the characters means that a great idea rarely grows stale. With Haddish leading ensembles that include Ike Barinholtz, Ben Schwartz, Ilana Glazer, Dave Franco, and Anna Konkle, the laughs don’t stop. For people who like their murder mysteries with a dash of hilarity, The Afterparty is the perfect Apple TV+ show.
Schmigadoon! (2021-Present)
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Schmigadoon!
- Release Date
- July 16, 2021
- Cast
- Keegan-Michael Key , Ariana DeBose , Cecily Strong , Ann Harada , Alan Cumming , Dove Cameron , Martin Short , Kristin Chenoweth , Jaime Camil , Fred Armisen , Jane Krakowski , Aaron Tveit
- Seasons
- 2
Created by Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio with a first season directed by Men in Black’s Barry Sonnenfeld, Schmigadoon! is a delightfully quirky musical comedy series. Cecily Strong and Keegan-Michael Key star as Melissa and Josh, a pair of backpackers who stumble upon a town perpetually trapped in a Golden Age-style musical — only able to leave once they have found true love. Schmigadoon!’s Emmy-winning songs, creative choreography, and original concept are parodies of the 1947 musical Brigadoon, yet the show is much more than a straightforward pastiche.
Following season 1, which parodied the Golden Age of musicals from the ’40s and ’50s, Schmigadoon! season 2 is inspired by musicals from the ’60s and ’70s, highlighting the creator’s ingenuity and the show’s seemingly endless reservoir of inspiration. Schmigadoon! season 3 hasn’t been confirmed yet, but hopefully, Josh and Melissa will find themselves trapped in a world of ’80s and ’90s musicals.
Physical (2021-2023)
With winning performances in
![](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Physical-TV-Poster.jpg)
Physical
In Physical, Rose Byrne plays Sheila Rubin, a burnt-out housewife struggling with a disenchanted outlook on life who takes out her frustrations via an eating disorder she hides from her husband and others. While doing what she can for her family, Sheila reaches a tipping point when she discovers aerobics, a new outlet that allows her to escape her current monotony. While her husband, Danny Rubin, pushes forward with a less-than-noble political agenda, Sheila takes it upon herself to begin a darker journey to start her new life by any means necessary. Managing the business will be difficult for a woman in the 1980s, an obstacle Sheila intends to overcome.
- Release Date
- June 18, 2021
- Cast
- Rory Scovel , Geoffrey Arend , Rose Byrne , Ashley Liao , Dierdre Friel , Ian Gomez , Lou Taylor Pucci , Paul Sparks , Della Saba
- Seasons
- 2
Bridesmaids and Get Him to the Greek, Rose Byrne is one of Hollywood’s most underrated actresses. Thankfully, Apple TV+ has taken notice of her talents because she stars in two of the platform’s original series, Physical and Platonic. In the former, Byrne plays Sheila Rubin, a bored and frustrated 1980s housewife who finds joy and empowerment through aerobics.
Physical is a shrewd satire that takes swings at negative body image and American consumerism, and while its bite might be a little sharp for some, those who enjoy the show will find it has a lot of important things to say. And while many of Physical‘s characters are unlikable, Byrne once again delivers a masterful performance that is worth watching.
Still Up (2023-Present)
![Still Up AppleTV Poster](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/still-up-appletv-poster.jpg)
Still Up
Created for Apple TV+ by Steve Burge and Natalie Walter, Still Up is a comedy series that follows best friends Lisa and Danny, who continue to bond over their shared insomnia. As the two continue battling their insomnia, Lisa and Danny embark on increasingly strange and enjoyable adventures as they grow closer – possibly into something more than friendship.
- Release Date
- September 22, 2023
- Cast
- Antonia Thomas , Craig Roberts , Blake Harrison , Rich Fulcher , Samantha Spiro , Lois Chimimba , Luke Fetherston
- Seasons
- 1
What’s great about Apple TV+’s TV programming is that in addition to its flagship shows, the streaming service has quite a few quieter, gentle comedies, including Still Up. The British series stars Antonia Thomas as bubbly artist Lisa and Craig Roberts as anxious journalist Danny, two Londoners who both suffer from chronic insomnia. They pass the late-night hours by talking to each other, though they’ve never met in person, and while they enjoy each other’s company, their close bond begins to affect their other relationships.
A comedy about a whimsical free spirit and a neurotic wallflower always runs the risk of being cliché and tired, but Thomas and Roberts make their characters layered, genuine, relatable people who are a pleasure to spend time with. And for not sharing the screen together, they have a breezy chemistry that makes the viewer want to keep listening to their conversations long after the credits have rolled.
Best Drama TV Shows On Apple TV+
Presumed Innocent (2024)
![Presumed Innocent Key Art](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/presumed-innocent-key-art.jpeg)
Presumed Innocent (2024)
An eight-episode limited series based on the New York Times bestselling novel of the same name by Scott Turow. Starring Gyllenhaal in the lead role of chief deputy prosecutor Rusty Sabich, the series takes viewers on a gripping journey through the horrific murder that upends the Chicago Prosecuting Attorney’s office when one of its own is suspected of the crime. The series explores obsession, sex, politics, and the power and limits of love, as the accused fights to hold his family and marriage together.
- Cast
- Jake Gyllenhaal , Ruth Negga , Bill Camp , Elizabeth Marvel , Renate Reinsve , Peter Sarsgaard , O-T Fagbenle , Chase Infiniti , Lily Rabe , Nana Mensah , Matthew Alan , Kingston Rumi Southwick
- Release Date
- June 12, 2024
- Seasons
- 1
- Creator(s)
- David E. Kelley
Jake Gyllenhaal made his debut on the small screen for the first time in the 2024 legal thriller Presumed Innocent, which became an instant hit on Apple TV+ from the moment it debuted in June. The show is based on a 1987 novel by Scott Turow, with which it shares a title, and was also adapted into a 1990 movie starring Harrison Ford. The Apple TV+ show Presumed Innocent is the latest reinterpretation of the tale, and it’s safe to say that Jake Gyllenhaal’s turn as Rusty Sabich — a prosecutor accused of murdering a colleague — is a fresh, modern step-up from the feature film version.
Apple TV+ subscribers looking for a thriller in which every episode is nailbiting and full of jaw-dropping revelations will be more than satisfied with Presumed Innocent. Gyllenhaal’s experience as a big-screen character actor has translated incredibly well to the miniseries format, and fellow cast members such as Ruth Negga, Bill Camp, and Peter Saarsgard (among others) deliver incredibly solid performances too.
Sugar (2024)
![Sugar TV Show Poster](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/sugar-tv-show-poster.jpg)
Sugar (2024)
“Sugar” is a contemporary, unique take on one of the most popular and significant genres in literary, motion picture and television history: the private detective story. Academy Award nominee Colin Farrell stars as John Sugar, an American private investigator on the heels of the mysterious disappearance of Olivia Siegel, the beloved granddaughter of legendary Hollywood producer Jonathan Siegel. As Sugar tries to determine what happened to Olivia, he will also unearth Siegel family secrets; some very recent, others long-buried.
- Cast
- Colin Farrell , Kirby , Amy Ryan , Dennis Boutsikaris , Nate Corddry , Alex Hernandez , James Cromwell , Anna Gunn
- Release Date
- April 5, 2024
- Showrunner
- Mark Protosevich
The working lives of private detectives are rife with drama, so it’s no surprise that the sleuth story of 2024’s Sugar instantly made it one of the best shows on AppleTV+ — though having Colin Farrell in the lead role certainly helped. Farrell plays private investigator John Sugar, and by the end of the first episode, he’s tasked with finding the whereabouts of the granddaughter of legendary Hollywood producer Johnathan Seigel. It’s obvious that something is amiss, especially since Olivia’s family seem just as suspicious of John as he is of them.
With some fantastic location shots of both L.A. and, in the opening, Tokyo, and some incredibly genre-bending moments, Sugar has plenty to offer beyond its leading man and gripping vanished person narrative. The cast is well-rounded too, with Farrell joined by Kirby Howell-Baptiste of Killing Eve fame, Amy Ryan (Holly Flax in The Office), and Primetime Emmy winner and Academy Award nominee James Cromwell.
Masters Of The Air (2024)
![Masters of the Air TV Show Poster showing Austin Butler and Several Air Pilots in World War II Uniforms](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/masters-of-the-air-tv-show-poster-showing-austin-butler-and-several-air-pilots-in-world-war-ii-uniforms.jpeg)
Masters of the Air
Masters of the Air is an Apple TV+ original war drama starring Austin Butler, Callum Turner, Anthony Boyle, and Barry Keoghan. The series follows a group of eleven World War II pilots who fight German fighters in a bomber called “The Flying Fortress.” The miniseries was based on the book Masters of the Air: America’s Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany by Donald L. Miller.
- Cast
- Austin Butler , Callum Turner , Barry Keoghan , Nikolai Kinski , Stephen Campbell Moore , Sawyer Spielberg , Isabel May , Anthony Boyle
- Release Date
- January 26, 2024
- Seasons
- 1
- Writers
- John Shiban , John Orloff
Based on the book by Donald L. Miller, Masters of the Air was created by John Orloff and John Shiban with Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg as executive producers. The wartime miniseries is of the same scale as Hanks and Spielberg’s previous miniseries Band of Brothers and The Pacific, and instantly ranked among the best TV shows on Apple TV+ when it arrived in 2024.
Masters of the Air follows the 100th Bomb Group in WW2 as they set about destroying various targets in Europe, though like its spiritual predecessors, it focuses on the impact this had on those that served. The cast is stacked with recognizable names, including Austin Butler, Barry Keoghan, and Ncuti Gatwa. Just like The Pacific and Band of Brothers, Masters of the Air speaks for itself when it comes to reasons to watch, and few dramas on Apple TV+ (or any other platform) can claim to be as gripping from start to finish.
Bad Sisters (2022-Present)
![bad sisters](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/bad-sisters.jpg)
Bad Sisters
Bad Sisters is an Apple TV+ exclusive series based on the Flemish TV original Clan. The Garvey sisters are a group of five blood-related siblings bonded closely after the untimely death of their parents. Tragedy strikes once again when the husband of Grace Williams (Anne-Marie Duff) dies. The other four sisters, however, haven’t hidden their disapproval of Grace’s husband, John Paul Williams, due to his poor treatment of her on an abusive level. His life insurer notes this and launches an investigation into John’s death. Bad Sisters will take viewers back and forth into the past and present as they unveil the truth about what happened around John’s death.
- Release Date
- August 19, 2022
- Cast
- Sharon Horgan , Anne-Marie Duff , Eva Birthistle , Sarah Greene , Eve Hewson , Claes Bang , Brian Gleeson , Daryl McCormack
- Seasons
- 1
Sharon Horgan’s pitch-black Irish comedy series Bad Sisters revolves around five siblings living in Dublin. Horgan plays Eva, the oldest sister, who comes up with the idea of murdering another sister’s abusive husband, John Paul (Claes Bang). The first season sees the sisters’ hilarious attempts to kill John Paul thwarted one after the other until Bad Sisters‘ wild season 1 ending, which leaves viewers clamoring for the sophomore installment.
With several Writers Guild of America, Critics’ Choice Television Awards, and Primetime Emmy nominations, Bad Sisters is a thrilling and frequently uproarious murder mystery that proves the perfect conduit for Horgan’s acerbic wit. Anne-Marie Duff, Eva Birthistle, Sarah Greene, and Eve Hewson splendidly round out the rest of the Garvey sisters as a truly magnetic ensemble – a key reason why it ranks among the best shows found on Apple TV+.
The Morning Show (2019-Present)
Also known as Morning Wars in Indonesia and Australia, The Morning Show takes a peek behind the curtain of the world of morning TV, as the titular program’s male co-anchor Mitch Kessler (Steve Carell) is accused of sexual misconduct. The Morning Show takes a frank look at both sides of the #MeToo movement in season 1 and continues with topical issues present in media. Season 2 examines the COVID-19 pandemic while season 3 sees a tech billionaire (Jon Hamm) wanting to acquire the network.
While the series isn’t one of Apple TV+’s most critically acclaimed shows, The Morning Show cast members have earned widespread acclaim. Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon have been nominated for several prestigious awards, with Billy Crudup taking home the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Emmy in 2020. Hello Sunshine, the production company founded by Witherspoon, is behind The Morning Show, and it joins the ranks of Big Little Lies and Little Fires Everywhere as one of the most gripping, relevant female-driven dramas on television.
Black Bird (2022)
![black bird](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/black-bird.jpg)
Black Bird
Inspired by the true story of convicted serial killer Larry Hall, Black Bird is an Apple TV+ drama series that follows a wealthy young named James Keene Jr., who finds himself imprisoned after being convicted on drugs and weapons charges. Fortunately for James, the FBI offers him an early out – if he can get Larry to sign a confession by befriending him in prison, his sentence will be commuted.
- Release Date
- July 8, 2022
- Cast
- Taron Egerton , Paul Walter Hauser , Ray Liotta , Greg Kinnear , Robert Wisdom , Robyn Malcolm
- Seasons
- 1
Based on James Keene and Hillel Levin’s autobiographical novel In with the Devil and developed by Dennis Lehane, Black Bird is a crime drama miniseries about a once-promising young football star unexpectedly faced with narcotics charges that could send him to prison. Jimmy is forced to use his gift of gab to take a deal for a fully commuted sentence. The catch is that, in exchange, he must help federal authorities coax a confession out of Larry Hall — a serial killer.
Paul Walter Hauser, who plays Larry, won an award for Best Supporting Actor at the 2023 Golden Globes, while series lead Taron Egerton was nominated for Best Actor, and Black Bird itself earned a nomination for Best Limited Series. Black Bird will surely be remembered as one of the 2020s’ best series, and it has more than cemented its status as one of the best shows on Apple TV+.
![A collage of Ray Liotta, Taron Egerton, and Paul Walter Hauser in Black Bird](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Black-bird-cast-and-character-guide.jpg)
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Slow Horses (2022-Present)
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Slow Horses
Slow Horses is an adaptation of CWA Gold Dagger Award-winning Mick Herron’s first novel in the “Slow Horses” series, which follows a team of British intelligence agents who serve in a dumping ground department of MI5 – Slough House. Gary Oldman stars as Jackson Lamb, the brilliant but irascible leader of the spies who end up in Slough House due to their career-ending mistakes.
- Release Date
- April 1, 2022
- Cast
- Jonathan Pryce , Kristin Scott Thomas , Jack Lowden , Gary Oldman , Saskia Reeves , Chris Reilly , Rosalind Eleazar , Christopher Chung , Olivia Cooke
- Seasons
- 2
Those bored with smooth-talking, suave spies like James Bond or Ethan Hunt need look no further than Slow Horses. The Apple TV+ series centers on a group of incompetent MI5 agents (also known as “Slow Horses”) whose failures on the job have placed them on desk duty. However, they get a shot at redemption when they uncover a sinister plot.
Slow Horses tells a hilarious underdog story and boasts an incredibly talented cast, led by a scene-chewing Gary Oldman. He plays the head of the Slough House department, the rude and offensive Jackson Lamb — essentially Apple TV+’s answer to Michael Scott. But Lamb is deceptively smart, and he and his crack team make Slow Horses as thrilling as it is funny.
Best Period TV Shows On Apple TV+
Palm Royal (2024)
![palm royale-1](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/palm-royale-1.jpg)
Palm Royale (2024)
In a luxurious 1960s Palm Beach resort, socialite families compete for status and influence. Amidst glamorous parties and hidden scandals, a woman seeks to upend the social hierarchy, revealing secrets and challenging the established norms of the elite community.
- Release Date
- March 20, 2024
- Seasons
- 1
- Writers
- Abe Sylvia
The Apple TV+ period comedy-drama Palm Royale captures all the flare of the late 1960’s, bringing subscribers into a world of retro snobbishness and high-society. Set in Florida’s Palm Beach in 1969, Palm Royale focuses on Kristen Wiig’s Maxine Dellacorte-Simmons, a woman of average means who takes it upon herself to become ingratiated with Florida’s elite. She does this by climbing over a wall at the local country club, the titular Palm Royale, though is quickly found and thrown out.
Max learns she needs the sponsorship of an existing member to join. After a series of mishaps that include her vehicle being rear-ended, arranging an abortion for a member, and stealing clothes from her comatose aunt, Max manages to win the sponsorship of Dinah (Leslie Bibb). This may finally gain her access to the Palm Royale, but Max’s journey to the top of the Florida social hierarchy is far from over. Palm Royale tastefully mixes drama and comedy, blending some genuinely laugh-out-loud moments with plenty of social commentary.
Manhunt (2024)
![Manhunt TV Show Poster Showing a Man Running after John Wilkes Booth in the Silhouette of Abraham Lincoln](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/manhunt-tv-show-poster-showing-a-man-running-after-john-wilkes-booth-in-the-silhouette-of-abraham-lincoln.jpeg)
Manhunt (2024)
Mahunt is an AppleTV+ mini-series focusing on the hunt for John Wilkes Booth after he assassinates Abraham Lincoln. Anthony Boyle stars as John Wilkes Booth alongside Tobias Menzies, Lovie Simone, and Will Harrison in the series created by Monica Beletsky.
- Cast
- Tobias Menzies , Anthony Boyle , Lovie Simone , Matt Walsh , Brandon Flynn , Betty Gabriel , Will Harrison , Hamish Linklater , Damian O’Hare , Patton Oswalt , Lili Taylor
- Release Date
- March 15, 2024
- Seasons
- 4
- Showrunner
- Monica Beletsky
Apple TV+ has always been a go-to platform for fans of period dramas, and the 2024 historical thriller Manhunt arrived and instantly reached acclaim as one of the best of the bunch. Created by Monica Beletsky, Manhunt is based on the James L. Swanson book Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer. As the title of the source material suggests, the show focuses on the aftermath of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and the hunt for his killer, John Wilkes Booth, which was carried out by Lincoln’s close friend Edwin Stanton.
Tobias Menzies of The Crown fame plays Stanton in the Manhunt cast, alongside Anthony Boyle — who also stars in Masters of the Air on Apple TV+ — as John Wilkes Booth. They’re joined by a well-rounded roster that includes Lovie Simone, Will Harrison, Patton Oswalt, and Matt Walsh. The murder of Abraham Lincoln was one of the most significant events in US history, and Manhunt has been praised by audiences and critics alike for truly capturing just how emotional a moment it was for citizens at the time.
The Buccaneers (2023-Present)
![The Buccaneers Apple TV Poster](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/the-buccaneers-apple-tv-poster.jpg)
The Buccaneers
Based on the incomplete novel by Edith Wharton, The Buccaneers is a historical drama that follows a group of American women who arrive in London during the late 1800s. Bringing about a clash over the old ways versus the new, the American women, known as “The Buccaneers,” shake up the status quo as they seek love, money, and better tomorrow.
- Release Date
- November 8, 2023
- Cast
- Guy Remmers , Simone Kirby , Matthew Broome , Francesca Corney , Kristine Froseth , Alisha Boe , Josie Totah , Christina Hendricks , Josh Dylan , Aubri Ibrag , Imogen Waterhouse
- Seasons
- 1
With offerings like The Essex Serpent and Dickinson, Apple TV+ has some of the greatest period series of any streaming service, and their latest, The Buccaneers, is among that number. Based on the unfinished Edith Wharton novel of the same name, The Buccaneers sees five vivacious and wealthy American girls looking for husbands in 1870s London. What follows is an enthralling culture clash as the posh British society looks down on these new arrivals from across the pond.
Anyone who thinks the period genre is tired and stuffy will be proven wrong by The Buccaneers. It brilliantly balances frothiness with poignance and has a lot to say about the expectations of women in society. If this series is any indication, lead actors Kristine Froseth, Alisha Boe, Josie Totah, Aubri Ibrag, and Imogen Waterhouse will become huge stars. Mad Men‘s Christina Hendricks also shines as Mrs. St. George. Fans of series like The Gilded Age and The Great will no doubt be adding The Buccaneers to their list of favorite shows.
Lessons In Chemistry (2023)
![Lessons in Chemistry AppleTV+ poster](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/lessons-in-chemistry-appletv-poster.jpg)
Lessons In Chemistry
Based on the novel by Bonnie Garmus, Lessons in Chemistry is set in the 1960s and follows Elizabeth Zott, whose dream of being a scientist because society demands a woman remain at home and not work. When Elizabeth finds herself pregnant, alone, and fired from her lab, she accepts a job as a host on a TV cooking show. She sets out to teach a nation of overlooked homemakers — and the men suddenly listening — about food and chemistry.
- Release Date
- October 13, 2023
- Cast
- Brie Larson , Lewis Pullman , Aja Naomi King , Stephanie Koenig , Patrick Walker , Thomas Mann , Kevin Sussman , Beau Bridges
- Seasons
- 1
A New York Times bestselling novel and Academy Award winner Brie Larson prove to be the perfect recipe for success with Lessons in Chemistry. Based on the beloved Bonnie Garmus book of the same name, this Apple TV+ miniseries follows Elizabeth Zott (Larson), a brilliant chemist who is fired from her lab tech job in the 1960s. She then begins hosting Supper at Six, a TV cooking show, which she uses as a platform to discuss feminist topics along with sharing delicious recipes.
Larson proves why she is one of Hollywood’s most lauded working actors in yet another winning performance. She plays Elizabeth with poise, self-confidence, and relatability, and her rapport with male lead Lewis Pullman is itself a lesson in chemistry. The other actors in the Lessons in Chemistry cast are also at the top of their game, making it one of the best shows on Apple TV+ as far as the quality of performance for an ensemble cast goes.
Best Sci-Fi & Fantasy TV Shows On Apple TV+
Dark Matter (2024)
![Dark Matter 2024 TV Series Poster](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dark-matter-2024-tv-series-poster.jpg)
Dark Matter (2024)
Based on his novel of the same name, Dark Matter is a sci-fi drama-thriller television series created for Apple TV+ by Blake Crouch. The series follows a physicist who is kidnapped and thrown into an alternate reality where he witnesses one potential path his life could have taken. However, he learns that the lives of his family are in jeopardy by an alternate version of himself.
- Cast
- Joel Edgerton , Jennifer Connelly , Alice Braga , Jimmi Simpson , Oakes Fegley , Dayo Okeniyi
- Release Date
- May 8, 2024
- Seasons
- 1
- Creator(s)
- Blake Crouch
If there’s one genre that Apple TV+ excels at when it comes to original content, it’s science fiction, and this trend continued in 2024 when the series Dark Matter arrived on the platform. Much like several of the streaming service’s sci-fi shows, Dark Matter is based on a novel. Blake Couch released the book of the same name in 2016, and is also the creative mind behind this incredibly intriguing Apple TV+ show about alternate realities and the existential threats they present.
Dark Matter has an incredible cast that includes the likes of Joel Edgerton, Jennifer Connelly, Alice Braga, Jimmi Simpson, Oakes Fegley, and Dayo Okeniyi. The plot focuses on Chicago-based physicist Jaon Dessen (Edgerton), who finds himself in an alternate reality after being assaulted by a mysterious figure. Jason discovers that his family are in incredible danger due to alternate versions of himself, and must act quickly if he is to ensure their safety.
Silo (2023)
![Silo TV Poster](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/silo-tv-poster.jpg)
Silo
Based on Hugh Howey’s Wool novel series, Silo is a sci-fi drama series created for Apple TV and follows an engineer named Juliette, who lives in a dystopian future. With the surface poisoned and the world all but ruined, the residents live in a silo deep underground. When the community sheriff breaks protocol and leads to the death of several residents, Juliette begins to discover the dark truth of the silo.
- Cast
- Rebecca Ferguson , Rashida Jones , David Oyelowo , Common , Tim Robbins , Harriet Walter
- Release Date
- May 5, 2023
- Seasons
- 1
- Showrunner
- Graham Yost
While smash success Fallout may have wet audience appetites for post-apocalyptic dystopias and worlds reeling from the aftermath of nuclear war, Apple TV+ beat Amazon Prime Video to the punch in 2023 with the acclaimed TV show Silo, starring Dune: Part Two‘s Rebecca Ferguson alongside David Oyelowo, Tim Robbins, and Rashida Jones. Set several centuries after humanity is all-but-wiped-out by the bombs dropping, Silo finds the last remnants of civilization living in vast underground silos (from which the show gets its name).
Silo contains none of the upbeat humor of Fallout, and in many ways paints a much bleaker version of the future, though one that’s perhaps even more steeped in conspiracy — especially when it comes to how humanity found itself sheltering below the earth and unable to venture onto the surface. Based on the books by Hugh Howey, Silo is currently awaiting season 2, and during the wait for it to return, the show finds a greater fanbase with each passing month as more and more Apple TV+ subscribers discover it.
Monarch: Legacy Of Monsters (2023)
![Monarch Legacy of Monsters Poster](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/monarch-legacy-of-monsters-poster.jpg)
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters
The Legendary MonsterVerse continues with Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, a sci-fi action series created for Apple TV+. Set after the events of Godzilla vs. Kong, the series follows two siblings retracing their father’s footsteps to uncover the truth behind their family legacy. What they find sets up a story over three decades and explores the foundations of the mysterious company.
- Cast
- Kurt Russell , Wyatt Russell , Anna Sawai , Kiersey Clemons , Ren Watabe , Mari Yamamoto , Anders Holm , Joe Tippett , Elisa Lasowski
- Seasons
- 1
- Streaming Service(s)
- Apple TV+
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters arrived on Apple TV+ in late 2023 and was immediately one of the best sci-fi shows on the platform — although this is of little surprise since it ties into Legendary’s MonsterVerse movies, meaning that it brings Godzilla and many other titans to the small screen for the first time.With an all-star cast that includes John Goodman and father-son duo Wyatt and Kurt Russell playing the same character at different points in history, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters isn’t just among the best Apple TV+ sci-fi shows because it features a heavy dose of kaiju action.
One of the first Apple TV+ shows with the scope and budget to rival the cinematic Netflix and Amazon Prime Video originals, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters has undoubtedly brought a fair few new subscribers to Apple’s streaming service. While it’s yet to receive any major awards acclaim, it’s been responded to generally favorably by critics, and fans of Godzilla and MonsterVerse movies will find it captivating from start to finish.
The Changeling (2023)
![The Changeling Movie Apple TV Poster](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/the-changeling-movie-apple-tv-poster.jpg)
The Changeling
The Changeling is a drama fantasy-thriller created for Apple TV+ by Kelly Marcel and stars Lakeith Stanfield in the lead role. When Apollo’s significant other, Emma, goes missing one day without warning, he heads into the heart of a fantasy-laden version of New York City that was hidden from the eyes of the world until now. Determined to find her, Apollo thrusts himself into ever-pressing danger in this adaptation of Victor LaValle’s novel.
- Release Date
- September 8, 2023
- Cast
- LaKeith Stanfield , Clark Backo , Adina Porter , Jared Abrahamson , Alexis Louder , Malcolm Barrett
LaKeith Stanfield has proven himself as one of the most versatile actors working today, with success across many genres from horror (Get Out) to surreal fantasy (Sorry to Bother You). In The Changeling, based on the Victor LaValle novel of the same name, Stanfield taps into both. The unique horror-urban fantasy series sees Apollo (Stanfield) and Emma (Clark Backo) living a fairy tale romance that turns upside down when Emma goes missing after their child is born, and Apollo going on a dangerous, surreal journey to find her.
While some critics may have dinged The Changeling for being a bit muddled and lacking Emma’s perspective, it’s one of Apple TV+’s most unconventional shows, and the risk pays off. The talented Stanfield once again proves why he’s a star, playing a character that couldn’t be more different from his other famous TV role, Darius in Atlanta.
For All Mankind (2019-Present)
![For all Mankind Season 4 Apple TV Plus Poster](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/for-all-mankind-season-4-apple-tv-plus-poster.jpg)
For All Mankind
Imagine a world where the global space race never ended – For All Mankind is a thrilling “what if” take on history that explores what would have happened in the race to the moon between the Soviet Union and the United States, as well as the space programs and the race’s effects on the astronauts and their families in the aftermath. The Apple TV+ series hails from Ronald D. Moore and stars Joel Kinnaman as a NASA astronaut. For All Mankind also features historical astronauts like Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong.
- Release Date
- November 1, 2019
- Cast
- Michaela Conlin , jodi balfour , Coral Peña , Colm Feore , Sarah Jones , Wrenn Schmidt , Casey W. Johnson , Cynthy Wu , Shantel VanSanten , Michael Harney , Krys Marshall , Joel Kinnaman , Sonya Walger , Michael Dorman
- Seasons
- 4
An imaginative sci-fi fantasy that takes an alternative look at one of the most seminal moments in human history, For All Mankind is a thoughtful meditation on the ongoing impacts and potential missed opportunities of the space race. In the show’s alternate reality, the father of the Soviet space program, Sergei Korolov lived instead of dying during an operation, allowing the Soviets to reach the Moon first.
The astronauts in the For All Mankind cast are based on real-life top NASA astronauts from the late ’60s, with each succeeding season taking place a decade later than the last, providing a fascinating and realistic version of the historic space race. For All Mankind‘s unique premise and alternate history earned it recognition from the Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards for Outstanding Innovation in Interactive Programming, and the Saturn Awards for Best Fantasy Television Series.
Severance (2022-Present)
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Severance
From director and executive producer Ben Stiller and creator Dan Erickson comes “Severance.” Mark Scout (Adam Scott) leads a team at Lumon Industries, whose employees have undergone a severance procedure, which surgically divides their memories between their work and personal lives. This daring experiment in “work-life balance” is called into question as Mark finds himself at the center of an unraveling mystery that will force him to confront the true nature of his work… and himself.
- Release Date
- February 18, 2022
- Cast
- Christopher Walken , Tramell Tillman , Michael Chernus , Adam Scott , Britt Lower , Patricia Arquette , Jen Tullock , John Turturro , Dichen Lachman , Zach Cherry
A unique combination of dystopian sci-fi, psychological thriller, and workplace comedy, Severance revolves around biotech company Lumon Industries, which begins an experimental work program that separates employees’ office memories from the day-to-day of their personal lives. However, Macrodata Refinement worker Mark Scout (Adam Scott) soon discovers the conspiracy behind the experiment and what’s really going on at the company.
Severance was named one of the Top 10 Programs of the Year by the American Film Institute in 2022, and was also awarded by the Art Directors Guild for outstanding production design — just a handful of its multiple nominations and wins. Scott leads Severance‘s star-studded cast in the pitch-perfect satire of the soul-crushing corporate world. Given its brilliantly risky and mystery-driven premise, Severance season 2 will determine whether the series can remain among the best Apple TV+ shows in the future.