Apple’s interest in TV began, as it historically tends to, with hardware. But after several iterations of the Apple TV streaming box, Tim Cook and co decided it was time to start bankrolling its own shows, too.
At launch, we called the initial slate of shows “odd, angsty and horny as hell”. We’re now several years into Apple TV+, a subscription streaming service that lacked unmissable original content at launch, but has slowly grown into a platform home to a diverse library of dramas, documentaries and comedies. And it didn’t hurt that until a few months ago Apple offered an unusually generous free year of the service to any new owners of an iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple TV. You only get three months now, but hey, still better than nothing. Otherwise, you can sign up to Apple TV+ for £4.99 a month.
We’re compiling a list of the best movies to watch on Apple TV+ too, but here we’ll focus on the TV stuff. And when you’re done head over to our guides to the best Netflix shows, Amazon Prime series, and Disney+ shows, because you can never have too much telly.
The best TV shows on Apple TV+ right now
From Emmy Award-winning smashes to hidden gems, Apple TV+ has something for just about everyone these days. Read on for our top recommendations.
Mythic Quest
An all-too-rare example of a video game TV show that really works (see also the UK’s Dead Pixels on All 4), Mythic Quest is one of the best new workplace comedies of the last few years, with its half-hour episodes hitting that bingeable sweet spot. It follows a fictional game studio known for its World of Warcraft-like MMO, Mythic Quest, though the thrust of the show isn’t the game itself, but the relationships between the people who make it. The writing is excellent; consistently funny and emotionally impactful when you least expect it, and the show manages to confront real issues in the industry without sacrificing laughs. We hope it gets a well-earned third season.
Foundation
The newest release on this list, we called Foundation a “flawed masterpiece” in our review, admiral if nothing else for finding a way of adapting Isaac Asimov’s sprawling sci-fi writing for TV. Based on Asimov’s book series of the same name, the dizzyingly ambitious Foundation stars Jared Harris as Dr Hari Seldon, a maths professor who, along with his loyal followers, is exiled for predicting the oncoming end of the galactic empire that rules over them. It looks incredible, and while the show can suffer under the weight of its enormous scope, this Game of Thrones-in-Space wannabe is still one to check out.
1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything
Given that it’s from Asif Kapadia (Amy, Senna, Diego Maradona) and is – if the title hasn’t already made its point well enough – focused on one of the most exciting eras and some of the biggest names in the history of the creative arts, we feel like this 2021 docuseries has flown somewhat under the radar. But don’t let it pass you by. 1971 positions music as both a reaction to and a reason for cultural and political upheaval at the time, and as you’d expect from anything Kapadia is involved in, is absolutely rammed with incredible archival footage that you have almost certainly never seen before.
The Morning Show
Every streaming service needs a flashy mainstream drama with Hollywood heavyweights to pull in viewers, and Apple TV+ has The Morning Show. Stars Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherpoon and Steve Carell are all on top form as members of the on-screen team that makes up The Morning Show, a popular breakfast news program. The Morning Show doesn’t waste any time getting going, straight away showing you co-anchor Mitch Kessler (Carell) being dismissed amid accusations of sexual misconduct. From then on, the show explores the ramifications of a MeToo scandal, and while it doesn’t always work, it’s often thrilling viewing, and you can’t accuse anyone involved of not giving their all to the weighty subject matter.
Little America
Released when Donald Trump was still President of the United States, Little America was and remains a timely reminder of what actually makes America great. An anthology series produced for Apple TV+, each episode focuses on a different story of immigrants living in America. From and undocumented high school student who discovers a talent for squash, to a Ugandan baker determined to make a success of her business, every one of these 30-minute vignettes – all of them based on real people – is inspiring and important viewing.
Ted Lasso
On paper, Ted Lasso sounds terrible. The inconceivable story of an American football coach who has never watched a game of soccer somehow landing himself a job as coach of the (fictional) Premier League club, AFC Richmond, and hopes can make up for his total lack of any of the requisite qualifications by being a nice guy. Sounds unwatchable, doesn’t it? And yet, Ted Lasso has captured the hearts and minds of viewers on both sides of the pond with its large-as-life cast and irresistibly wholesome messaging, hoovering up awards for fun in the process, and if anything is now more of a mood, a worldview if you will, than a mere TV comedy. And if none of that has sold you, just trust us when we say that it’s worth watching for Nick Mohammed’s performance alone.
Central Park
There aren’t enough animated sitcoms that are also musicals, but luckily Apple TV+ does have Central Park. Created by Loren Bouchard (of Bob Burger’s fame), Josh Gad and Nora Smith, Central Park follows a dysfunctional American family that live in New York’s world-famous Central Park. The show is narrated by a busker named Birdie, voiced by Gad, who naturally flexes his renowned singing muscles at every opportunity. Central Park isn’t hilariously funny, but what it lacks in memorable jokes it more than makes up for with its plentiful and often incredibly catchy musical numbers, as well as its obvious affection for the Big Apple. If you like a good singsong, it’s well worth a watch.
Dickinson
Hailee Steinfeld is a riotous young Emily Dickinson is this half hour show from Alena Smith. It was part of the original Apple TV+ line-up and yet still managed to shine, thanks to the off-kilter version of 19th century Amherst, Massachusetts that Smith has created. The first season is a set of sharp, surreal vignettes, inspired by Dickinson’s work and tracing the imagined life of the young poet, who is rebelling against her father, the town’s rules and just about everything else. If you’re a bookworm, you enjoyed Midnight in Paris or you have a penchant for a bit of Baz Luhrmann, you’ll dig this. Season 2 is now up on Apple TV+ too.
For All Mankind
A solid slice of alternate history, For All Mankind starts with the very smart premise: what if the US was pipped to putting a man on the moon? How would the space race rivalry between the Americans and the Soviets have played out? It’s mostly a slick, stylish NASA-heavy period drama but, as this is from the brain of Ronald D. Moore, there are a few standout moments and episodes with attention shared around the large ensemble cast. This is a long term TV project for all concerned: season two is live now – it skips a decade to the 1980s – and season 3 is expected in mid 2022.
Mr. Corman
In which Joseph Gordon-Levitt gets to do whatever the hell he wants. To Marmite results. If you’re looking for a feel good sitcom, go for Ted Lasso instead. Mr. Corman – which has yet to finish its first series run, what with the week-by-week rollout – sees JGL take us inside the head of a thirtysomething musician-turned-school teacher named Josh. We follow his bad dates, his fights with his flatmate and family and then things go a little more off piste. We think Gordon-Levitt and his team may have been watching a little Michel Gondry when this dramedy was conceived. Arturo Castro’s standalone episode is a highlight and Debra Winger and Juno Temple round out the terrific supporting cast.
You can sign up to Apple TV+ for £4.99 per month.
