When it comes to streaming services, giants like Netflix and Hulu have seemed to capture the eyes of viewers with their big-time TV series and movies. However, in recent years, new streaming services have risen up and started to join the big guys, and that includes Apple TV+.
As you may or may not be aware, Apple TV+ has some awesome TV shows. From Ted Lasso, The Morning Show, to Severance, there are so many choices for you to enjoy, and every single one of them is original. But where to start? Here are the best shows for you to check out if you want to dive into the shows on Apple TV+. And if you don’t have an Apple TV+ subscription, learn more about that.
Ted Lasso
I absolutely adore Ted Lasso. There’s just something about this heartwarming show that gets me every time I watch it. This award-winning series stars Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso, a former U.S. Division 3 American football coach who goes overseas to transform a struggling football team to legendary status – the only thing is, he knows nothing about soccer. In addition to Jason Sudeikis, the Ted Lasso cast includes Hannah Waddingham, Brendan Hunt, Jeremy Swift, Brett Goldstein, and Juno Temple.
For fans who want something that’s sweet and simple but super funny, Ted Lasso is the show for you. It’s an amazing tale about perseverance and trying your best even when the world seems to dump all of its problems on you. The relationships are believable, and the comedy is top-tier. You won’t regret checking out this series. Three seasons are available to stream, with no plans right now for a fourth, so get yourself a nice cup of tea and binge this entire series.
Masters Of The Air
Based on the 2007 book of the same name, Masters of the Air is a companion to Band of Brothers and The Pacific, this time following the real-life 100th Bomb Group, a unit of Boeing B-17 pilots in WWII that fought for England, and their stories of the war and the horrors they went through.
Let’s just start off by saying that you should watch Masters of the Air simply for the Masters of the Air cast. It’s filled to the brim with stars, like Austin Butler, Barry Keoghan, Stephen Campbell, Ncuti Gatwa and more. But if for some reason that doesn’t draw you in, you should watch it simply for the story. It’s that good and well-told, and I’m not even a huge war movie or TV fan. Seriously a great show.
The Morning Show
When you want to talk about a show that is full of stars, The Morning Show is your go-to. This show stars Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon, and follows the story of Alex Levy as she fights to retain her job as the top news anchor at her morning breakfast news show, but sparks a rivalry with field reporter Bradley Jackson.
This series is perfect for fans that want sort of a look into the world of the media industry, and the cut-throat attitude of those that run it behind the scenes. And of course, who doesn’t love a good old-fashioned rivalry story? It’s a battle of the best and a need to succeed. Truly one of Apple TV’s best since its launch.
Central Park
Who would have thought a cartoon show that involves musical numbers would be so successful, but that’s what Central Park did. This animated TV series is about an elderly heiress who decides to buy up a bunch of land in Central Park, and turn it into housing and commercial areas. Now, it’s up to the family that loves the park and their friends to somehow save it from her evil clutches.
This star-studded cast is filled with plenty of faces that you might recognize, such as Daveed Diggs from the Hamilton cast, Josh Gad from Frozen, Tituss Burgess from Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Schmigadoon! Season 2, all with amazing musical talents. Plus, it’s made by the creators of Bob’s Burgers, so you know it’s going to be hilarious.
Shrinking
Coming from one of the creators of Ted Lasso, Bill Lawrence, as well as Brett Goldstein and Jason Segal, this is a show you seriously can’t miss. Shrinking follows Jimmy Laird, a therapist who is still grieving the loss of his wife. One day, in order to cope with the realities of life, he starts to tell his clients exactly how he feels about their problems – and the craziness that follows from it.
I can’t give enough praise to Shrinking. Seriously, it’s such a great show. From the talented Shrinking cast to the story to even the comedy, there is so much to love about this series. Honestly, it makes sense because it comes from the same creators as Ted Lasso as to why I would love it so much, but it’s seriously so good, and a second season is confirmed, so might as well check out the first. Shrinking Season 2 is confirmed, so be ready to feel even more feelings with this hit Apple TV+ show.
Severance
Ever wonder what it would be like if you could truly separate your work-life from your regular life? Severance answers that question. In this acclaimed AppleTV+ series, Lumon Industries is the face behind new tech that is able to separate work memories from non-work memories within the minds of employees. But soon, this new tech isn’t everything that everyone believes it to be.
This show premiered in February 2022 and I am hooked. The very idea of this is something you would never imagine, but series creator Dan Erickson did a fantastic job in bringing this concept to life, mixed in with a talented Severance cast. It’s a brilliant thriller that was nominated for several Primetime Emmy awards as well as Golden Globes, and one you must check out - and a Season 2 is already on the way.
Silo
Apple TV+ truly has so much when it comes to sci-fi, and Silo is one of the newest shows to join that list. Based on the novels of the same name by Hugh Howey, the show premiered in May 2023 and takes place in a far dystopian future where humans live below the ground, in a silo that happens to be 144 levels. However, an engineer begins to discover secrets about the Silo that just might change the course of their history forever.
Led by a compelling performance from Rebecca Ferguson, Silo is a great addition to Apple TV+’s roster and has earned rave reviews for not only the performance from the lead star but the world-building as well. The series is already on the way with a second season.
Bad Sisters
If you want a black comedy television series, then Bad Sisters is the one for you. Based on the Flemish series Clan, the Apple TV+ show follows five sisters who live in Ireland. One day, the abusive husband of one of the sisters dies unexpectedly, and now they are being investigated by an insurance agent who’s trying to prove that they were responsible for his death.
The series received plenty of acclaim and was nominated for four awards at the 75th Primetime Emmys. Bad Sisters is a fun, dark, comedic time, and with a second season confirmed, you should check it out now.
Pachinko
Based on the novel of the same name by Min Jin Lee, Pachinko is a riveting story about a family who is seeking a better life, so they immigrate from Korea to Japan. But with every new place comes new problems, and here, they face racism, stereotypes and so much more as they try to grow for the better.
Pachinko is such an important story to tell, because it really shows that all over the world, no matter where you go, you sometimes have to push past the boundaries that you’re comfortable with to provide a better life for your family. Pachinko almost reminds me a little of Minari where it’s all about a family trying to find a better life for themselves, but things just don’t go as planned. Another season is set to come out in August 2024, so now is the best time to see the first.
Monarch: Legacy Of Monsters
As someone who grew up with a dad who loves all these monster movies, I can say that this is the show for you. Monarch: Legacy of Monsters takes place in the same universe as 2014’s Godzilla, and follows the members of the Monarch organization, a force that not only encounters Godzilla but other crazy monsters like them that are called Titans.
Yeah, this show is crazy. The effects are done amazingly well for a television show, the story is tons of fun, and the Monarch: Legacy of Monsters cast is super talented. You even have a Russell family reunion with both Kurt and Wyatt Russell starring in the show – and yes, they’re just as amazing as you expect them to be.
Loot
Let’s look at a comedy now, starring a comedic legend, the hilarious Maya Rudolph. In Loot, we follow Molly Novak, a woman who has been married to her husband for twenty years and is now going through a divorce. With her $87 billion dollar cashout, she can only wonder what to do next with this money, but decides to put it into charity, and discover more about who she truly is.
I loved Loot, mainly because Maya Rudolph is just so damn likable and so funny. While most people could ever even fathom what it would be like having that kind of money, Rudolph does an impressive job of still making her character’s situation feel relatable, while finding ways to make us laugh all at the same time. There are two seasons of this show so far, so be ready to laugh your butt off.
Dickinson
If you ever wanted to learn more about the works of Emily Dickinson and her life prior to becoming a famous writer, look no further than Dickinson. This biographical series stars Hailee Steinfeld, and follows the story of Dickinson with a modern sensibility and tone, exploring the constraints of society where she feels like she doesn’t belong, trying to get her voice heard.
For book fans like myself, I have to admit that this is one of my favorite series. Not only for the great acting performance that Hailee Steinfeld gives but also for the comedy they infuse into this show that is quite serious for the times that Dickinson was around and attempting to get her works published. While it is a TV show and of course liberties will always be taken with that, Dickinson does give some insightful views in the lives of one of the most influential women authors and stands out among the rest. With three seasons to binge, you’ll love the story of Dickenson, from start to finish.
Lessons In Chemistry
Lessons in Chemistry is a must-watch miniseries. The show, starring Brie Larson, tells the story about a young scientist named Elizabeth Zott who decides to host her own cooking show with a feminist twist during the 1960s, a time where women didn’t have nearly as much equality as men.
The book that this miniseries is based on was a huge success back in 2022, and it was really only a matter of time before it received an adaptation. And it turned out great, with a stellar performance from Brie Larson, and a couple of Golden Globe nominations to boot. I think if you like cooking, and you like good stories, this is the miniseries for you.
The Afterparty
If you’re looking for a murder mystery that’s fused with comedy, like Knives Out or Clue, boy do I have a show for you. With a stellar cast, Afterparty follows what happens at a high school reunion when it turns murderous - and the classic question of “whodunnit?”
The Afterparty is such a fun show, and one of those that if you enjoy a classic murder mystery, you need to watch it. Something I absolutely adore about this is that each episode shows a character’s different perspective, and you really get a full picture of the whole night, offering plenty of different outlooks as to who could have performed the murder. The Afterparty has two seasons, with no plans for a third, but it’s seriously one of the funniest shows on the platform.
The Big Door Prize
Among the comedies on Apple TV+ is The Big Door Prize. The show, which came out in March 2023, tells the story of a random lottery machine that pops up in a convenience store in a small town, and when you use it, it can tell someone their “Life Potential.” And soon, the entire town begins to obsess over what they could be, rather than what they already are, and it turns their lives upside down.
The series stars Chris O’Dowd as Dusty, and received acclaim from both critics and audiences alike, with a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes. There are two seasons available to stream.
Mythic Quest
Where are all my gamer nerds out there? If you’re one of them, then Mythic Quest is the one for you to watch and enjoy. Created by It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia's Charlie Day, Megan Ganz, and Rob McElhenney, Mythic Quest follows a video game studio that produces the game “Mythic Quest,” a popular online MMORPG.
Obviously, if you’re a gamer like me, you’re already signed on, since there are so few gaming series out there. But you just know that if this series is produced by the same people who do It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, it’s going to be the funniest show you have ever seen, and it truly is. Not only that, but Rob McElhenney stars in it as well, along with several other stars, like Community’s Danny Pudi and famous voice-actress Ashly Burch, and so many more. I mean, you can’t get a better gaming and comedy cast than that. There are three seasons available to stream right now, with a fourth one on the way.
Schmigadoon!
Musicals are something that always make me happy, and Schmigadoon! is no different. This Apple TV+ series starring Keegan-Michael Key and former Saturday Night Live star Cecily Strong follows the story of a couple who are trying to reconnect in their lives, but soon find that they have walked themselves into a legit 1940s musical, with no way out except to find true love.
From the moment this show started, I was loving every second. Not only are the leads outstanding and have great chemistry, but the whole Schmigadoon! cast is so talented. With plenty of familiar faces in the industry, such as Ariana DeBose, Fred Armisen, and so many more. The songs are catchy as heck too. With two seasons to watch, there’s so much to love about this show.
For All Mankind
Moving back into the science-fiction world, we take a look at For all Mankind. This popular sci-fi show alters U.S. history and asks the question “what if the space race never would have ended?” and if the Soviet Union had achieved landing on the moon first before the United States did.
This is one of the best series that Apple TV has to offer, just for the premise. I mean, have we ever asked ourselves what if the Russians had gotten there first? I know I haven’t. And the lengths they go to show how life would have changed for not just NASA but the country as a whole are extremely engrossing. Joel Kinnaman from Suicide Squad and Michael Dorman from The Invisible Man star in this three season-series, with a fourth on the way. Check it out if you ever want to wonder what life would be like. I always adore a good “what-if?”
Palm Royale
Last but not least, we have this great gem. If you’re looking for a great comedy-drama that will transport you back to the 1960s, then Palm Royale is the one for you. Starring Kristen Wiig, this show is created by Abe Sylvia and follows an outsider who makes it her mission to become a part of high society in Palm Beach, and tries to do so by sneaking into the famous country club there, the Palm Royale, learning the ins and outs of the people she wishes to be like.
I mean, it’s Kristen Wiig – she doesn’t really ever miss when it comes to her comedic movies or shows because she’s hilarious in every way, and Palm Royale is a great example of that. Not only is she talented in the starring role, but the rest of the cast is fantastic as well, and features some of the best set pieces that I’ve seen from an Apple TV+ show because it really feels like you’re back in the 1960s. I love it.
If any of these shows sound like something you’d be interested in (or perhaps some of the best movies on Apple TV+), be sure to check out and subscribe to Apple TV+ here. You won’t regret it.
