When the topic of Apple TV’s best new series of the year comes up, it’s legitimately acceptable to name at least four and still be considered correct. Not too long ago, the streamer debuted the comedy-drama show Margo’s Got Money Troubles, starring Elle Fanning as a young mother who turns to OnlyFans to support her family. The series received widespread acclaim and is now sitting at a “Certified Fresh” 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes. More recently, Apple unveiled its mysterious follow-up to For All Mankind, an alt-history sci-fi thriller titled Star City, which appears to have settled at a 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes a few weeks into its run. Just this week, the streamer debuted the biggest show on its summer lineup, a limited series remake of Martin Scorsese‘s Cape Fear, which holds a 75% score on Rotten Tomatoes. However, one title ranks head and shoulders above the rest.
This is saying something, given how well these other series have been received. However, easily the most acclaimed Apple TV show of recent times is a horror-comedy-thriller from Katie Dippold, who remains best known for her work on Parks and Recreation. But it’s only a matter of time before the industry recognizes her as the creative genius behind Widow’s Bay. Starring Matthew Rhys as the mayor of a small town whose citizens believe it’s a hotbed for supernatural activity, the series premiered on April 19, but it wasn’t exactly a breakout hit immediately. However, with growing word of mouth, Widow’s Bay recently claimed the number one spot on the Apple TV viewership charts, according to FlixPatrol.
Apple TV Is on a Legendary Streak
It’s still among the top three, and will likely spike again when it airs its final two episodes of the season. Widow’s Bay is poised to conclude its debut 10-episode season on June 17, and is currently sitting at a “Certified Fresh” 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The aggregator website’s consensus reads, “Katie Dippold successfully continues to invest in eccentricity with this outlandish horror-comedy that stokes the genre’s well-worn tropes to winning effect, bringing scares, laughs, and a game cast.” In her review, Collider’s Emily Bernard hailed it as “Apple’s weirdest, boldest show yet.” You can catch up with the show ahead of its finale this month and stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
- Release Date
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April 28, 2026
- Network
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Apple TV
- Showrunner
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Katie Dippold
- Directors
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Sam Donovan, Andrew DeYoung, Hiro Murai, Ti West
- Writers
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Alberto Roldán, Neil Casey, Kelly Galuska, Colton Dunn, Dave Harris, Katie Dippold, Mackenzie Dohr





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