If your Netflix streaming queue is seriously lacking, you’ve come to the right place. We compiled a list of ten must-watch TV shows on Apple TV+—this way, you won’t spend an hour searching for a new series only to end up watching reruns of The Office.
From The Morning Show to Ted Lasso, here are ten shows you need to stream on Apple TV+, according to this entertainment editor.
1. Shrinking
Meet Jimmy (Jason Segel), a therapist who’s grieving the death of his wife. As a result, he’s neglecting his teenage daughter (Lukita Maxwell), who is relying on their next-door neighbor for parental guidance.
Rachel Bowie (PureWow's senior director of special projects and royals) raved about Shrinking in her four-star review. “Maybe it’s the charming comedy cover on a show that largely deals with grief and getting through it; maybe it’s the cast (cranky or not, Harrison Ford will always be dreamy to me),” she wrote. “Either way, I’m sold and, as a Ted Lasso placeholder, it’s just the right fit.”
2. Severance
Severance follows Mark (Adam Scott), an employee who voluntarily underwent a procedure known as ‘severance’. This brain surgery allows someone to completely disconnect their personal lives from their work lives: as in, at work, you have no idea what happens when you leave, and at home, you have no idea what happens when you go to work.
The series is pretty incredible. It has a fascinating (and terrifying) premise; it features a stellar cast of familiar faces; and it really draws you in from the very first episode. Need we say more?
Based on the namesake novel by Sarah Perry, the story takes place in Victorian London and follows a woman named Cora (Claire Danes), who relocates to a small village after escaping an abusive marriage. It doesn’t take long for her to become intrigued by a local superstition involving a mythical sea dragon. Her curiosity is questioned when a local girl goes missing.
Danes (Homeland) stars alongside Tom Hiddleston (Loki), Clémence Poésy (Tenet) and Frank Dillane (Fear the Walking Dead).
Are you a sucker for an all-star cast? The Morning Show features several familiar faces, including Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston, Steve Carell, Mark Duplass, Nestor Carbonell, Billy Crudup, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Bel Powley.
The story follows Mitch Kessler (Carell), a seasoned TV anchor who’s fired after sexual allegations are filed against him. The problem? His friend and former lover, Alex Levy (Aniston), is his co-host, and she’s less than thrilled about his absence. And when the network brings in young new reporter named Bradley Jackson (Witherspoon), she’s forced to fight for her role as lead anchor.
Based on the novel Are You Sleeping by Kathleen Barber, Truth Be Told is pretty much a cross between Silence of the Lambs and For Life. I wouldn’t recommend the show for all ages, because it features a lot of violence. However, it’s a must-watch for anyone who enjoys true-crime thrillers that leave you on the edge of your seat.
Octavia Spencer leads the series as a true-crime podcaster named Poppy Parnell. When she’s assigned to investigate the case of convicted killer Warren Cave, she must decide whether her initial accusations are accurate, or if Warren is being framed for the crime.
6. Ted Lasso
If you’re looking for a laugh-out-loud funny TV show that actually has a consistent storyline (no offense, The Office), Ted Lasso is a must-binge. In short, the series is ensemble comedy at its finest, featuring a feel-good plot that caters to a variety of adult audiences.
It stars Jason Sudeikis as Ted, an overly enthusiastic American college football coach. Although he’s fresh off a Division II championship win, he accepts an offer to lead AFC Richmond, a mediocre Premier League soccer team in the U.K., despite the fact that he’s totally wrong for the job.
Based on the namesake novel by William Landay, Defending Jacob offers a heartbreaking glimpse into a family’s worst nightmare: defending their 14-year-old son, who’s being accused of murder.
We’re not saying the show is for the fainthearted, because it’s not. But if you’re on the fence, perhaps the all-star cast will convince you to give it a try: Chris Evans, Michelle Dockery, Jaeden Martell, Cherry Jones, Pablo Schreiber, Betty Gabriel, Sakina Jaffrey and J.K. Simmons.
8. Losing Alice
This psychological thriller is gaining popularity for all the right reasons. Still, it’s important to note that it has subtitles because it’s a foreign production, so only tune in if you’re willing to pay attention. (Yes, it’s that good.)
Losing Alice introduces viewers to Alice (Ayelet Zurer), a middle-aged female director who puts her career aside to take care of her family. When she crosses paths with a young screenwriter, Sophie (Lihi Kornowski), Alice embarks on a thrilling love triangle adventure that changes everything.
9. Dickinson
Bibliophiles can’t seem to get enough of Dickinson, and we can see why. The series has Bridgerton vibes, since it’s a period piece, but it’s far more realistic than the Netflix show.
It tells the real-life story of Emily Dickinson, who’s one of the most important figures in American poetry. (NBD.) Dickinson documents her journey from a budding writer to the world’s greatest poet, all while highlighting the obstacles she faced along the way. It might sound dry and boring, but the comedic element makes it all worthwhile.
10. Servant
Servant is produced by M. Night Shyamalan, who’s no stranger to making chart-topping horror flicks (like The Sixth Sense, Split and Signs). The series puts a paranormal twist on a sensitive subject: child loss.
Taking place six weeks after the death of their 13-week-old son, the story follows a couple, Dorothy and Sean, as they learn to cope with their new normal. This includes hiring a young nanny, Leanne, to take care of a doll, which Dorothy believes is her real child. It doesn’t take long for Sean to grow suspicious of Leanne, whose arrival brings a series of frightening events.
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