Apple TV+ quickly emerged as one of the most popular and reliable streamers with the breakout, Emmy-winning hit Ted Lasso. But the platform offers so much more, including comedies like Shrinking, as well as powerhouse dramas such as SiloPachinko. Unsure about what to watch? The A.V. Club has assembled this guide to the best shows to check out, highlighting gems like the emotional horror series The Changeling and costume-drama newbie The Buccaneers.
This list is in alphabetical order. It was last updated on November 17, 2023. It will update monthly.
2 / 31
Acapulco (2021-)
Acapulco (2021-)
Stars: Eugenio Derbez, Damián Alcázar, Enrique Arrizon, Chord Overstreet, Camila Perez, Fernando Carsa, Vanessa Bauche, Jessica Collins
Number of seasons on Apple TV+: 2
Stream it now: Apple TV+
Inspired by the 2017 film How To Be A Latin Lover, Apple TV+’s Acapulco is one of the rare bilingual comedies on the platform. The show follows Máximo Gallardo, who gets his dream job as the cabana boy at the hottest resort in Acapulco, Mexico. But he soon realizes the job is far more demanding than he anticipated. A demanding clientele tends to do that. As mentioned in The A.V. Club’s review: “This winsome comedy is more concerned with the mostly Mexican employees of the fictional Las Colinas resort, many of whom grew up near it and have been irresistibly drawn to it since childhood.” Acapulco has been renewed for a third season.
3 / 31
The Afterparty (2022-)
The Afterparty (2022-)
Stars: Tiffany Haddish, Sam Richardson, Zoë Chao, John Cho, Ben Schwartz, Jamie Demetriou, Ilana Glazer, Ken Jeong, Paul Walter Hauser, Anna Konkle
Number of seasons: 2
Stream it now: Apple TV+
Who doesn’t love an enticing, funny murder mystery? Chris Miller’s star-studded series follows Detective Danner (Haddish) as she investigates a crime—and is told through the perspectives of different characters and genres. The second and final season, which wrapped in September, isn’t nearly as ace as the first, true, but it’s still a good time and is packed with some of our favorite comedy actors really going for it.
4 / 31
Bad Sisters (2022-)
Bad Sisters (2022-)
Stars: Sharon Horgan, Anne-Marie Duff, Eve Birthistle, Sarah Greene, Eve Hewson, Daryl McCormack, Brian Gleeson, Claes Bang
Number of seasons on Apple TV+: 1
Stream it now: Apple TV+
Created by Emmy-nominated Sharon Horgan, Dave Finkel, and Brett Baer, the tragicomedy Bad Sisters
5 / 31
Black Bird (2022)
Black Bird (2022)
Stars: Taron Egerton, Paul Walter Hauser, Ray Liotta, Sepideh Moafi, Greg Kinnear, Jake McLaughlin, Joe Williamson, Robert Diago DoQui, Trazi Lashawn, Robyn Malcolm, Laney Stiebing
Number of seasons on Apple TV+: 1
Stream it now: Apple TV+
Jonesing for a tightly-paced, six-episode thriller? Inspired by James Keene’s book, In With The Devil, Black BirdBlack Bird an un-skippable TV experience. As a bonus, Ray Liotta crushes it in his final onscreen appearance. As our review puts it: “Liotta proves why he’s a masterclass actor. His wide-eyed, evocative performance elevates Black Bird beyond depicting a harrowing true-crime saga.”
6 / 31
The Buccaneers (2023-)
The Buccaneers (2023-)
Stars: Kristine Froseth, Alisha Boe, Josie Totah, Christina Hendricks, Josh Dylan, Imogen Waterhouse, Simone Kirby, Matthew Broome
Number of seasons: 1 (currently airing)
Stream it now: Apple TV+
Edith Wharton’s famous unfinished novel gets yet another adaptation with the period drama The Buccaneers. It follows Annabel “Nan” St. George (Froseth), who moves to London after her friend gets married to a Lord. Along with some friends, she is sent there to find a husband. Instead, she ends up getting entangled in the complications of a love triangle and the English high society. The Buccaneers features great performances, even greater gowns, and some fun music choices—all of it to certainly remind you of Bridgerton. New episodes air every Wednesday, with the finale set for December 13.
7 / 31
Central Park (2020-)
Central Park (2020-)
Stars: Leslie Odom Jr., Kathryn Hahn, Tituss Burgess, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Josh Gad, Daveed Diggs, Stanley Tucci, Kristen Bell
Number of seasons on Apple TV+: 3
Stream it now: Apple TV+
8 / 31
The Changeling (2023)
The Changeling (2023)
Stars: LaKeith Stanfield, Adina Porter, Alexis Louder, Malcolm Barrett, Clark Backo, Jared Abrahamson, Samuel T. Herring
Number of seasons: 1
Stream it now: Apple TV+
Based on Victor LaValle’s heartwrenching novel, The ChangelingAs The A.V. Club’s review notes: “The Changeling’s secret weapon is its characterization, with each actor in this cast embodying their respective role so richly. They all feel real and warm so that the more fantastical elements of this story can land.”
9 / 31
Dickinson (2019-2021)
Dickinson (2019-2021)
Stars: Hailee Steinfeld, Ella Hunt, Anya Baryshnikov, Jane Krakowski, Toby Huss, Adrian Blake Enscoe, Amanda Warren
Number of seasons on Apple TV+: 3
Stream it now: Apple TV+
Alena Smith’s DickinsonDickinson also blooms as a love story for the ages between Emily and her best friend, Sue (Hunt), one that apparently inspired Taylor Swift’s “ivy” from evermore. Now that’s how you do romance.
10 / 31
Five Days At Memorial (2022)
Five Days At Memorial (2022)
Stars: Vera Farmiga, Cherry Jones, Julie Ann Emery, Adepero Oduye, Cornelius Smith Jr., Robert Pine, Molly Hager
Number of seasons on Apple TV+: 1
Stream it now: Apple TV+
Based on Sheri Fink’s book of the same name, Five Days At Memorial is an often tough but enlightening watch that depicts the shattering difficulties faced by the doctors and nurses at a New Orleans hospital in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. As The A.V. Club’s review puts it: “The eight-episode series is a gripping affair, an engrossing medical thriller that doubles as a powerful indictment of government and corporate inaction and outright neglect.”
11 / 31
For All Mankind (2021-)
For All Mankind (2021-)
Stars: Joel Kinnaman, Krys Marshall, Shantel VanSanten, Jodi Balfour, Wrenn Schmidt, Sonya Walger, Michael Dorman, Sarah Jones, Cynthy Wu, Coral Peña, Casey W. Johnson, Nate Corddry
Number of seasons on Apple TV+: 4 (season 4 is currently airing)
Stream it now: Apple TV+
For All Mankindstreaming platform’s crowning achievement, period. The alt-history sci-fi series follows NASA astronauts on a mission to reach the moon (and later, Mars!) in the ’70s after Russia won the initial Space Race. It’s a gripping, emotional workforce tale of the American dream that’s perfectly tied to the characters’ complex personal relationships. FAM also boasts some of the most appealing visual effects out there, whether it’s showing us a stunning lunar base, space flights, or the surface of the Red Planet. Season four airs every Friday through January 12.
12 / 31
Foundation (2021-)
Foundation (2021-)
Stars: Lee Pace, Jared Harris, Leah Harvey, Lou Llobell, Terrence Mann, Alfred Enoch, Kubbra Sait, T’Nia Miller, Nimrat Kaur, Laura Birn
Number of seasons: 2
Stream it now: Apple TV+
Based on Isaac Asimov’s stories, Foundation is an epic sci-fi saga that centers on a band of exiles who discover that the only way to save the Galactic Empire from destruction is to fight for their rights. Yes, the plot and multiple timelines get quite intricate, but the show features remarkable performances, cinematography, music, and direction to make it worth the journey. Season two wrapped in September.
13 / 31
Little America (2020-)
Little America (2020-)
Stars: Suraj Sharma, Sherilynn Fenn, John Ortiz, Zachary Quinto, Mélanie Laurent, Kemiyondo Coutinho, Shaun Toub, Haaz Sleiman, Angela Lin, Conphidance, Jearnest Corchado
Number of seasons on Apple TV+: 2
Stream it now: Apple TV+
Little America flew under the radar when it premiered in early 2020, barely a couple of months after Apple TV+ launched. But don’t sleep on this beautiful hidden gem of a show. Written by Kumail Nanjiani, Emily V. Gordon, and Lee Eisenberg, this anthology is based on true stories published in Epic Magazine’s “Little America” feature. Each episode follows the challenges and wins of different immigrants who’ve made this country their home. As The A.V. Club’s review of season two puts it: “The series is striking because of how much story is moved along in a half-hour without feeling overstuffed. The script and cinematography are immersive, whether the setting is a Minnesota state fair, a New York City fried-chicken restaurant, or a lavish Beverly Hills mansion. ”
14 / 31
Loot (2022-)
Loot (2022-)
Stars: Maya Rudolph, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Joel Kim Booster, Ron Funches, Nat Faxon, Adam Scott, Olivier Martinez, Stephanie Styles
Number of seasons: 1
Stream it now: Apple TV+
Matt Hubbard and Alan Yang co-created Loot, a star vehicle for SNL’s Maya Rudolph, who eats up her role. She plays Molly Novak, a recent divorcee who wins $87 billion after splitting from her cheating billionaire husband. With no idea how to handle her wealth, Molly begins working at the charity she founded years ago and finds an unexpected set of friends in the process. The workplace comedy doesn’t ace the whole satire thing, but it’s a good comfort watch aided by a hilarious ensemble.
15 / 31
The Morning Show (2019-)
The Morning Show (2019-)
Stars: Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Billy Crudup, Mark Duplass, Karen Pittman, Greta Lee, Steve Carell, Juliana Marguiles, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Jon Hamm
Number of seasons: 3
Stream it now: Apple TV+
The Morning ShowThe Morning Show belongs almost entirely to Crudup’s unhinged, enigmatic performance. The third season wrapped up in November.
16 / 31
Mythic Quest (2020-)
Mythic Quest (2020-)
Stars: Rob McEllhenny, Charlotte Nicdao, Danny Pudi, Ashly Burch, David Hornsby, Imani Hakim, F. Murray Abraham, Jessie Ennis, Caitlin McGee, Naomi Ekperigin
Number of seasons on Apple TV+: 3
Stream it now: Apple TV+
Mythic QuestIt’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, so you already know this workplace comedy is full of hijinks, wacky comedy, and an even wackier set of characters. The show chronicles a video game company run by the egotistical Ian Grimm (McElhenney), who often clashes with fellow lead engineer and egoist Poppy Li (Nicdao) and the rest of his team. But even with all the wackiness, Mythic Quest somehow finds inventive ways to be relevant, sharp, and surprisingly emotional.
17 / 31
Pachinko (2022-)
Pachinko (2022-)
Stars:
Number of seasons on Apple TV+: 1
Stream it now: Apple TV+
Based on Min Jin Lee’s sprawling novel of the same name, PachinkoPachinko consistently remains heartwarming and visually stunning (hat-tip to Justin Chon and Kogonada’s alluring direction). The show has been renewed for season two.
18 / 31
Physical (2021-2023)
Physical (2021-2023)
Stars: Rose Byrne, Rory Scovel, Dierdre Friel, Geoffrey Arend, Paul Sparks, Ashley Liao, Della Saba, Murray Bartlett
Number of seasons on Apple TV+: 3
Stream it now: Apple TV+
Get ready to marvel at one of Byrne’s best, most immersive performances in Physical, a dark comedy set in 1980s San Diego. Byrne plays Sheila Rubin, a quietly tormented wife who embarks on a mission of self-discovery with the help of aerobics. (Jane Fonda really is inspirational, huh?) While her husband runs for office in the State Assembly, Sheila makes it her mission to turn her newfound passion into a successful business and transform into a radical female lifestyle guru. The show wrapped its three-season run in September.
19 / 31
Schmigadoon! (2021-)
Schmigadoon! (2021-)
Stars: Keegan Michael-Key, Cecily Strong, Ariana DeBose, Jane Krakowski, Jaime Camil, Alan Cumming, Kristin Chenoweth, Dove Cameron, Ann Harada
Number of seasons: 2
Stream it now: Apple TV+
Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio’s Schmigadoon!The first season follows a couple stranded in the whimsical titular town whose residents perpetually live in Golden Age-style musicals. In season two, which premiered in 2023, the pair arrives in “Schmicago,” a town brimming with the sexy musicals of the ’60s and ’70s. The original tracks are quirky earworms, and Krakowski gives an awards-worthy performance. What’s not to love?
20 / 31
Servant (2019-2022)
Servant (2019-2022)
Stars: Lauren Ambrose, Toby Kebbell, Rupert Grint, Nell Tiger Free, Tony Revolori, Boris McGiver, Todd Waring, Katie Lee Hill
Number of seasons on Apple TV+: 4
Stream it now: Apple TV+
Trust M. Night Shyamalan to produce one of TV’s weirdest shows in recent memory. Servant
21 / 31
Severance (2022-)
Severance (2022-)
Stars: Adam Scott, Patricia Arquette, Britt Lower, John Turturro, Zach Cherry, Christopher Walken, Tramell Tillman, Dichen Lachman
Number of seasons on Apple TV+: 1
Stream it now: Apple TV+
SeveranceThe A.V. Club’s second favorite show of 2022. So yeah. It’s pretty damn good. Created by Dan Erickson, the thriller builds tension and anxiety with each passing episode, leading up to an edge-of-your-seat season-one finale. The series centers on the employees of a conglomerate named Lumon, most of whom have severed memories (that is, they forget their private lives once they reach work). Severance also boasts career-best turns by Scott and Cherry, plus commendable breakout performances by Lower and Tillman.
22 / 31
Shining Girls (2022)
Shining Girls (2022)
Stars: Elisabeth Moss, Wagner Moura, Phillipa Soo, Chris Chalk, Jamie Bell, Amy Brenneman, Madeline Brewer, Erika Alexander
Number of seasons on Apple TV+: 1
Stream it now: Apple TV+
Let’s admit it outright: Shining Girls
23 / 31
The Shrink Next Door (2021)
The Shrink Next Door (2021)
Stars: Paul Rudd, Will Ferrell, Kathryn Hahn, Casey Wilson, Cornell Womack, Sarayu Blue
Number of seasons on Apple TV+: 1
Stream it now: Apple TV+
The cast alone is a reason to watch The Shrink Next Door, but this limited series flips the script on the leading duo Rudd and Ferrell. For a change, Ferrell plays the subdued and shy Martin “Marty” Markowitz, while Rudd is the loud and effervescent Dr. Isaac “Ike” Herschkopf. Based on a heartbreaking real story, the show unpacks how Ike, a therapist, took advantage of Marty’s vulnerabilities for financial gain. As The A.V. Club’s review notes: “The series immerses audiences in the lives of its lead characters to elicit two distinct reactions: sympathy for one, indignation for the other. The tension that grows over eight-hour-long episodes can feel redundant and aggravating at times, but the payoff is well worth it.”
24 / 31
Silo (2023-)
Silo (2023-)
Stars: Rebecca Ferguson, Rashida Jones, David Oyelowo, Common, Harriet Walter, Avi Nash, Rick Gomez, Tim Robbins
Number of seasons: 1
Stream it now: Apple TV+
The A.V. Club’s persistent readers are right: Silo is excellent. Graham Yost’s sci-fi drama, based on Hugh Howey’s novels, is set in a dystopian future where a community exists in a giant underground silo comprising 144 levels. Ferguson plays Juliette Nichols, an engineer working on the lower levels who gets caught up in a murder mystery that sheds light on bigger conspiracies and threats within the silo. Apple TV+ has renewed the series for a second season.
25 / 31
Slow Horses (2022-)
Slow Horses (2022-)
Stars: Gary Oldman, Jack Lowden, Kristin Scott Thomas, Saskia Reeves, Rosalind Eleazar, Christopher Chung
Number of seasons on Apple TV+: 2
Stream it now: Apple TV+
26 / 31
Shrinking (2023-)
Shrinking (2023-)
Stars: Jason Segel, Harrison Ford, Jessica Williams, Christa Miller, Lukita Maxwell, Luke Tennie, Michael Urie, Ted McGinley, Heidi Gardner
Number of seasons on Apple TV+: 1
Stream it now: Apple TV+
Ted Lasso’s Bill Lawrence and Brett Goldstein team up for another winning comedy, which is good news considering that Emmy winner’s impending end. Like Lasso, ShrinkingJessica Williams. It centers on grief-stricken therapist Jimmy Laird (Segel), who tries to move on after the death of his wife with the help of his friends and daughter. He also has a newfound, pretty aggressive approach to therapy, which may or may not result in massive changes in his patients’ lives. Season one wrapped in March, but fear not: The show has scored a second-season renewal.
27 / 31
Swagger (2022-)
Swagger (2022-)
Stars: O’Shea Jackson Jr., Caleel Harris, Isaiah Hill, Tessa Ferrer, Shinelle Azoroh, James Bingham, Quvenzhané Wallis, Tristan Wilds
Number of seasons: 2
Stream it now: Apple TV+
Reggie Rock Bythewood’s sports drama Swagger, loosely based on the life of NBA player Kevin Durant, has a lot going for it: With nuanced storytelling and excellent direction, the series explores the world of youth basketball, including the players, their families, and the coaches who walk the fine line between opportunism and corruption. Season two ended in August.
28 / 31
Ted Lasso (2020-2023)
Ted Lasso (2020-2023)
Stars: Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham, Brett Goldstein, Juno Temple, Nick Mohammed, Brendan Hunt, Toheeb Jimoh, Sarah Niles, Phil Dunster
Number of seasons on Apple TV+: 3
Stream it now: Apple TV+
There’s a reason everyone adores Ted Lasso. Not only did this award-winning comedy’s debut blow up Apple TV+ subscriptions, but the second season became a surprisingly hot topic for Twitter discourse. Sudeikis plays Ted Lasso, who moves from Kansas to the U.K. to coach a struggling English football team. His optimism surprises everyone—and it turns out that an upbeat and cheery comedy is exactly what we all need right now. The third and final round ended in May. (Here’s hoping we get some fun spin-offs after that.)
29 / 31
Truth Be Told (2019-)
Truth Be Told (2019-)
Stars: Octavia Spencer, Mekhi Phifer, Merle Dandridge, Michael Beach, Ron Cephas Jones, Haneefah Wood, Tracie Thoms
Number of seasons on Apple TV+: 3
Stream it now: Apple TV+
Truth Be Told, loosely based on Kathleen Barber’s novel Are You Sleeping?, stars a terrific Octavia Spencer as true-crime podcaster Poppy Parnell, who digs into a new case each season: a murdered Stanford professor in the first (co-starring Aaron Paul and Lizzy Caplan) and the death of a filmmaker in the second (which boasted Kate Hudson). In the ongoing third go-round, which runs through March 24 and features Gabrielle Union, Poppy investigates the disappearances of several young Black high schoolers in Oakland.
30 / 31
Trying (2020-)
Trying (2020-)
Stars: Esther Smith, Rafe Spall, Imelda Staunton, Ophelia Lovibond, Oliver Chris, Sian Brooke, Daryn Boyd, Phil Davis, Cush Jumbo, Navin Chowdry
Number of seasons on Apple TV+: 3
Stream it now: Apple TV+
In this co-production from Apple TV+ and the BBC, Nikki (Smith) and Jason (Spall) are a married couple who desperately want to be parents but struggle with conceiving a child. So they decide to adopt, only to discover a whole new set of challenges that come with the process. The British comedy is equal parts acerbic and sweet. A fourth season has been ordered.