TV shows are everywhere, and they are widely loved. After all, they usually offer a nice, arching story, in bite-sized episodes that build up interest and lead you to a (hopefully) amazing finale. While you must have seen all the popular TV shows like Friends, Two and a Half Men, Stranger Things, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, if you’ve pretty much exhausted every good TV show on Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+ Hotstar, fret not, Apple TV+ is here for you. Here are the 15 best TV shows on Apple TV+ that you can watch.
15 Best TV Series on Apple TV+ (2022)
Most TV shows on Apple TV+ are yet to complete a single season. Whereas some original series have completed their second season, giving us enough to judge if they are good to watch. Some of our titles include the latest shows, which are doing good currently. However, we can’t guarantee if the creators will lose their touch and create the next Lost or Game of Thrones. Oh god, why?
Let’s look at some of these original shows from Apple TV+ you should watch in 2022.
1. The Afterparty (2022-)
The Afterparty is one of the newest additions to the Apple TV+ catalog, with only four episodes at the time of writing this article. The series is about a college reunion afterparty where the host Xavier (played by Dave Franco) dies under mysterious circumstances. Detective Danner enters the scene suspecting every person present in the party in an attempt to find the culprit. The show continues in a funny way where everyone recollects the events from their point of view. It’s a good mix of romantic comedy, action thriller, and suspense. This one is a beast of mixed genres, which provide an incredible range to the series. Besides, every character remembers the night with their unique perspective is fun to watch. You might also find the music and songs from the series catchy and end up adding them to your playlist. In short, The Afterparty looks promising with various characters, and I can’t wait for the remaining episodes to launch.
Creator: Christopher Miller. He is popularly known for his work on 21 Jump Street, 22 Jump Street, The Lego Movie, and Clone High.
Cast: Tiffany Haddish, Dave franco, Sam Richardson, Ike Barinholtz, Zoe Chao
2. Mr. Corman (2021)
Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt as a public school teacher in the San Fernando Valley, Mr. Corman digs into the feeling of anxiety and existential dread. The show is the brainchild of Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who is the director, writer, and creator behind this single-season TV show. Unfortunately, the show was canceled after only a single season since it failed to comply with Apple TV+’s viewer demands. Still, we can’t ignore the beautiful cinematography and the musical play, which uniquely grabs the viewer’s attention. The show talks about the different lives they could have had and regrets after growing old. The topic is relatable to many audiences and makes us think deeper about our own choices and what people around us might be going through. In short, the comedy series is eye candy with great cinematography and relatable content.
Creator: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, also known for his work in The Dark Knight Rises, Inception, Don Jon, and many more.
Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Arturo Castro, Aracely Padilla,
3. Dickinson (2019-2021)
Anyone interested in English poetry has heard of Emily Dickinson at least once. She wasn’t well-known during her life but is regarded as one of the most influential figures in American poetry today. The series, Dickinson, is a coming-of-age story of Emily Dickinson and how she struggled in a world inferior from her point of view. The show consists of 3 seasons, having ten episodes each with notable writing and direction. However, you will be disappointed if you are looking for facts-based history. The creator, Alena Smith, has taken the artistic liberty to make this series more lovable by twisting many of the actual events that might and might not have happened. Still, the show has beautifully portrayed the lead character’s audacious approach towards the constraints of society, gender, and family. Emily’s struggle to make her voice heard while the director merges historical events with a modern touch makes this series one of a kind.
Meanwhile, Hailee Steinfeld’s acting is breathtaking. Her role as Emily in Dickinson and Kate Bishop in the Marvel series Hawkeye has paved the path for a bright future. In short, Dickinson is a must-watch comedy series peeking into the life of a budding writer in unfavorable situations. Her ahead-of-time thinking is genuinely inspiring.
Creator: Alena Smith, also known for The Newsroom, The Affair, and The Bad Guys.
Cast: Hailee Steinfeld, Toby Huss, Adrian Blake Enscoe, Anna Baryshnikov, Ella Hunt
4. Defending Jacob (2020)
Every time a series or movie adaptation of a best seller book happens, critics take it to their heart to scrutinize the material. Fortunately, Defending Jacob serves well and is critically acclaimed for brilliant storytelling and fabulous acting. It’s a live-action adaptation of William Landay’s novel by the same name released in 2012. The book became a New York Times bestseller resulting in the TV show Mark Bomback created for Apple TV+. The miniseries revolves around the Barber family while trying to defend their son Jacob from an accusation of a heinous murder. Every episode points towards a new culprit keeping the mystery alive until the last moment.
Meanwhile, you will fall in love with Chris Evans again for his over-the-top acting. He stole every scene in the show. It’s great to watch him get out of his comfort zone and do some serious and witty characters. In a nutshell, Defending Jacob is a masterpiece miniseries with eight episodes. The mystery drama will hook you to your seats while you enjoy every bit of the show.
Creator: Mark Bomback, also known for The Legends, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, War for the Planet of the Apes
Cast: Chris Evans, Michelle Dockery, Jaeden Martell, Cherry Jones, Pablo Schreiber
5. See (2019-)
Whether it be Khal Drogo from Game of Thrones or Aquaman from the DC universe, watching Jason Momoa bangs every role with his eyegasmic performance. Similarly, he has outstandingly performed his role as the lead character, Baba Voss, in Apple TV+’s sci-fi show, See. The TV series has become one of the most prominent shows for Apple TV+, bagging several awards for acting and authentic representation of the show’s concept. See is about a dystopian future where humans have lost their sense of sight. In such a time, people have to depend on other means to gather food, hunt, survive, and interact with other people. However, things take a turn when two brothers are born with sight, now considered only a heresy. Therefore, the queen orders to hunt these children and their biological father when the news breaks. Now, Baba Voss must protect his family and the tribe from the queen. In a nutshell, See is a balanced combination of the middle age era in a dystopian future.
Creator: Steven Knight, also known for Peaky Blinders, Taboo, and A Christmas Carol
Cast: Jason Momoa, Sylvia Hoeks, Hera Hilmar, Christian Camargo, Tom Mison, Dave Bautista
6. Foundation (2021-)
Foundation is a live-action adaptation of a series of stories by Isaac Asimov by the same name. The series explores a future of the human race scattered on planets throughout the galaxy ruled by a Galactic Empire. A band of exiles discovers that the only way to save the Galactic Empire from destruction is to disobey it, thus leading to havoc across the galaxy. Foundation has successfully combined various aspects of the old and new world like dynasty rule, prophecies, magic, science, mathematics, and destiny. Apple has spent a fortune creating believable special effects for their futuristic space-themed series. It brilliantly combines the tried and tested storytelling of mutiny and resistance against tyranny with a technological aspect. I expect this show to be a torchbearer in the sci-fi category for Apple TV+’s original content.
Creator: David S. Goyer, Josh Friedman. Also known for Terminator series, Snowpiercer, Emerald City, The Chain Reaction, Da Vinci Demons, Batman Begins, Constantine (Series), and more.
Cast: Jared Harris, Lee Pace, Lou Lobell, Leah Harvey, Laura Birn, Terrence Mann, Chipo Chung, Cassian Bilton
7. Ted Lasso (2020-)
What should you expect when a person with no experience in coaching soccer is recruited to mentor an English Premier League team? You want a hint; a lot of fun. Ted Lasso is an American Football coach who has mentored a college team at best. However, when Rebecca Welton hires him to coach AFC Richmond, an international Soccer team playing in the EPL, things change for him. She expects him to fail so that she can take revenge on the team’s previous owner, her unfaithful ex-husband. However, Ted’s charm, humor, and personality soon win over Rebecca, the team, and anyone skeptical about the recruitment. The show has some great characters, terrific acting, and brilliant writing. Apart from the humor created by Ted’s inexperience in coaching a Soccer team, his perspective of life and connecting his past stories to bring out life lessons are incredible.
Creators: Bill Lawrence, Jason Sudeikis, Brendan Hunt. Also known for Clone High (TV series), Rush Hour (TV Series), Thank You and Sorry, Detroiters, How I Met Your Mother, and more.
Cast: Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham, Jeremy Swift, Phil Dunster, Brett Goldstein, Nick Mohammed, and Juno Temple
8. The Morning Show (2019-)
Starring some great actors like Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon, The Morning Show is a messy, star-studded morning news drama. The show has a high budget and a wild storyline. Viewers were disappointed by the wobbly execution of the story, which didn’t focus on a single plot and kept following a new topic every episode. Still, the show is engaging enough, and you will end up watching the next episode. The fast-paced story keeps the audience interest alive while introducing new elements every few minutes. The writers also include some globally hot topics like the #meetoo movement and the Covid pandemic.
Creators: Jay Carson and Kerry Ehrin, also known for House of Cards, Friday night Lights, and Rise
Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Billy Crudup, Steve Carell
9. Physical (2021-)
Physical is a journey of Sheila Rubin (Rose Byrne) finding motivation in aerobics in the early 1980s. The plot picks up when she is underconfident and lost in life. She decides to pick her old hobby, doing Ballet but finds the studio closed, falling back to her unhealthy lifestyle of eating junk food and swirling down in a negative self-image. However, soon she discovers aerobics and finds herself curiously interested in the dance + fitness regime. She starts to grow an empire for herself with newfound business opportunities in aerobics. Physical might look like a nostalgia trip to the 80s, but it’s not. It is a dark comedy series revealing harsh truths about the lead character. That said, Rose Byrne has done a fabulous job playing a character you can not love but can’t ignore either.
Creator: Annie Weisman, also known for Desperate Housewives and Almost Family
Cast: Rose Byrne, Rory Scovel, Dierdre Friel
10. For all Mankind (2019- )
The 1960s was a stepping stone for humanity when Neil Armstrong put the first step on the moon. Without it, People like Elon Musk might not be thinking of colonizing Mars, or would the events be more intense? “For all Mankind” explores the possibility of what would have happened if the Soviet Union had beat the US in the space war. NASA became the first organization to reach the moon in reality. However, this show presents an alternate timeline where the Soviet Union becomes the first country to reach the moon leading to the continuation of the space war for decades with rapid developments. It’s a mix of drama, thriller, and sci-fi approaches to global politics.
Creators: Ronald D. Moore, Ben Nedivi, and Matt Wolpert. They are also known for Star Trek, The Umbrella Academy, and Fargo.
Cast: Joel Kinnaman, Michael Dorman, Wrenn Schmidt
11. Mythic Quest (2020-)
Mythic Quest is a fast-paced work environment comedy series about a gaming company and the team working behind it. The series begins with the head of the company announcing an expansion called Raven’s Banquet for the game. Soon the team starts their healthy debate about the announcement initiating the comedy series. All the cast characters are gripped together with a strong narrative. Meanwhile, every character has its own layers with a significant subplot. The show keeps the writing relatable to the real world with problems a tech company might face, like monetization issues, negative feedback from users, and more. Overall, the series is light and humorous with compelling characters and funny writing.
Creators: Charlie Day, Megan Ganz, and Rob McElhenney. They are also known for Modern Family, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and more.
Cast: Rob McElhenney, F. Murray Abraham, Charlotte Nicdao
12. Home Before Dark (2020-)
Home Before Dark is a mystery, crime, and drama series about a nine-year-old girl. Along with her parents, she moves to a small town her father had left behind a long time ago. Her curious nature and interest in journaling led her to a cold case the whole town had tried hard to bury. She eventually finds clues and solves the case with her sharp mind and strong will. Home Before Dark has a sloppy direction, and you may feel lost between the episodes. However, it’s good enough to make you stick to your seat throughout the season. Viewers also appreciated how the second season ended and feel the show has created a great story. Some moments feel a bit stretched, but it doesn’t affect the show’s overall quality.
Creators: Dana Fox and Dara Resnik, also known for Daredevil (series), Cruella, Isn’t It Romantic, and more.
Cast: Jim Sturgess, Brooklynn Prince, Abby Miller
13. Schmigadoon! (2021-)
Schmigadoon is a homage to classic musicals from the 1950s and 60s era. The name itself is a parodic take on the 1947 musical Brigadoon, which shares a similar plot. The story begins with two New York doctors, Melissa and Josh, going on a backpacking trip to patch their failing relationship. However, they find themselves still quarreling around small topics. They go through a mist and accidentally discover a magical town on Schmigadoon. The whole village acts as they are in a classic musical from the mid 20th century. The couple understood they must find the true meaning of love if they ever wanted to get back home. At first, the name didn’t attract me to the series. However, it’s one of the finest comedies I have seen recently. The music scores are all excellent and soothing to the ears. However, I forgot them as soon as the scene shifted; they lacked a memorable element. Overall, the show is shot in an old musical style, paying them homage, and helps it stand out from any other series on Apple TV+.
Creators: Ken Daurio and Cinco Paul, also known for Despicable Me, The Lorax, and Bubble Boy.
Cast: Keegan-Michael Key, Cecily Strong, Fred Armisen
14. Trying (2020-2022)
Trying follows the life of Nikki and Jason, a married couple trying to conceive a child. However, they came to know they weren’t capable of doing it naturally. So the couple decides to adopt a child to continue their family. Not surprisingly, the adoption process comes with its challenges that the couple should take to become better people. The whole plot comically describes the trouble of parents trying to have a baby. I loved the happy background music throughout the series. It provides a warm and cozy feeling while watching the show. You can watch this show because it sheds light on a less-talked topic while keeping things light. It relates to all the couples in the earlier stage of their marriage, making it a likable show by default.
Creator: Andy Wolton, also known for Lookalikes.
Cast: Rafe Spall, Esther Smith, Oliver Chris
15. Little America (2020-)
Inspired by true stories, Little America talks about the life of immigrants in the USA. The plot seems relatable now more than ever due to the current scenario in the USA. The series explores stories of people from various nationalities and their struggles while facing troubles due to the immigrant law. Overall, the series is sometimes comic and sometimes heartbreaking to see. It contains all emotions one can expect from a drama series like this. The show also tries to present humility and make the viewers think about the racial differences in our culture. You will cry like a baby and laugh louder than ever while watching this show. The range of emotions all the stories bring together is palpable and remarkable.
Creators: Lee Eisenberg, Emily V. Gordon, and Kumail Nanjiani. They are also known for The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail, The Office, Bad Teacher, The Big Stick, and more.
Cast: Mélanie Laurent, Suraj Sharma, Haaz Sleiman
Are There Any Good Series on Apple TV?
It is alright to be skeptical and judge if Apple TV+ is worth your time and money since it does not have the greatest TV shows like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon, and other streaming platforms. Still, Apple’s unique approach to host only original content is enough for it to stand out from the others. There are some great shows like Dickinson, Ted Lasso, See, Foundation, and more for you to watch. Meanwhile, we can expect more binge-worthy content coming soon on the platform. Currently, the comedy series and sci-fi genre are ruling the content on Apple TV+ with slightly better content finding its way in other genres like mystery and drama. I hope this article was helpful for you to decide what you should watch on Apple TV+. If you know of any show to add to this list, please comment below.
Aparna Ukil
