Having quickly established itself as one of the world’s leading streaming services, the best Apple TV+ shows include some of the most talked-about current series. Apple started producing its own original content in 2016, ramping up production after launching its own streaming service, Apple TV+, in 2019. Some of the biggest stars in Hollywood, including Jennifer Aniston, Harrison Ford, and Jason Sudeikis, have appeared in original programs for Apple TV+, cementing its status as a reputable brand. Before too long, Apple had its own TV shows to rival the biggest hits on streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
Every new show on Apple TV+ adds to a roster that covers a wide range of genres, from comedy to science fiction to psychological thrillers. The sprawling original content library on Apple TV+ is home to feel-good comedies including Ted Lasso and Schmigadoon!, and dark, unsettling dramas like Severance. While Apple TV+’s catalog isn’t as expansive as other streaming services, its more boutique approach still offers plenty of quality content. As such, the best TV shows on Apple TV+ are well worth closer consideration from audiences — whatever they’re interested in.
Belying its humble origins of NBC Sports promo media for the English Premier League, Ted Lasso is much better than a show adapted from commercials has any right to be, and is Apple TV+’s best show. Reprising his role from NBC Sports’ Premier League promos, Jason Sudeikis shines as the endlessly optimistic coach, drafted in to lead a struggling English football team to victory. Ted may be a fish out of water, but he makes everyone around him believe in themselves, and he in turn learns a lot about who he is.
Ted Lasso seasons 1 and 2 were critically acclaimed and won multiple Emmys, including Outstanding Comedy and Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Sudeikis. Ted Lasso season 3 was a bit uneven, but still maintained the show’s honest depiction of mental health and strong portrayal of fully-rounded female characters. It’s unclear if Ted Lasso season 4 will happen for Apple TV+, but if the titular coach taught viewers anything, it’s to believe.
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The workplace sitcom has long been a popular TV subgenre, and though Mythic Quest isn’t in the same pop culture stratosphere as The Office or Parks and Rec, it deserves to be. The Apple TV+ show centers around the day-to-day happenings and shenanigans at the studio that produces the titular video game, an MMORPG created by the arrogant Ian Grimm (Rob McElhenny). Ian frequently clashes with his socially awkward yet brilliant lead engineer Poppy Li (Charlotte Nicdao), but beneath their feuding is an almost sweet creative respect.
Mythic Quest is a comedy series with something for everyone. Gamers will revel in the peek behind the curtain the show offers while non-gamers will still be able to relate to the everyday frustrations of office life. In the middle of each season is a flashback episode showing the creative origin story of someone important to Mythic Quest‘s development. Few shows celebrate following creative dreams like Mythic Quest, and it does so in a way that is never overly sentimental or twee.
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From Ted Lasso’s Bill Lawrence and Brett Goldstein, Shrinking stars Jason Segel as Jimmy, a grieving therapist who ignores the rule book and tells his patients exactly what he thinks. Understandably, this unorthodox approach doesn’t sit right with Dr. Paul Rhoades (Harrison Ford), the foil to Jimmy and senior therapist at the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Center.
Shrinking‘s potentially fraught themes are balanced by Segel’s signature dry wit and goofiness, with Jimmy succeeding as both a parody and a realistic depiction of a classic trope. Undoubtedly one of Apple TV+’s best 2023 shows, Shrinking is a quirky study of grief with a huge heart and a powerful message about dealing with loss. The always reliable Segel finally got recognized for his TV talents, and earned an Emmy nomination for Shrinking.
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Put a who’s who of comedy heavyweights in a room, add a murder, and the result is the hit comedy The Afterparty.Apple TV+’s anthology comedy series features a new cast of characters and a new shindig every season, with Tiffany Haddish reaching comedic highs as Detective Danner. Danner is the constant in the show, who returns each season to investigate the killing at the center of the story. Season 1 focuses on the afterparty of a high school reunion, while season 2 takes place the day after a wedding.
Anthology series are becoming more and more popular, and for good reason — switching out the characters means that a great idea rarely grows stale. With Haddish leading ensembles that include Ike Barinholtz, Ben Schwartz, Ilana Glazer, Dave Franco, and Anna Konkle, the laughs don’t stop. For people who like their murder mysteries with a dash of hilarity, The Afterparty is the perfect Apple TV+ show.
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Created by Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio with a first season directed by Men in Black’s Barry Sonnenfeld, Schmigadoon! is a delightfully quirky musical comedy series. Cecily Strong and Keegan-Michael Key star as Melissa and Josh, a pair of backpackers who stumble upon a town perpetually trapped in a Golden Age-style musical — only able to leave once they have found true love. Schmigadoon!’s Emmy-winning songs, creative choreography, and original concept are parodies of the 1947 musical Brigadoon, yet the show is much more than a straightforward pastiche.
Following season 1, which parodied the Golden Age of musicals from the ’40s and ’50s, Schmigadoon! season 2 is inspired by musicals from the ’60s and ’70s, highlighting the creator’s ingenuity and the show’s seemingly endless reservoir of inspiration. Schmigadoon! season 3 hasn’t been confirmed yet, but hopefully, Josh and Melissa will find themselves trapped in a world of ’80s and ’90s musicals.
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With winning performances in Bridesmaids and Get Him to the Greek, Rose Byrne is one of Hollywood’s most underrated actresses. Thankfully, Apple TV+ has taken notice of her talents because she stars in two of the platform’s original series, Physical and Platonic. In the former, Byrne plays Sheila Rubin, a bored and frustrated 1980s housewife who finds joy and empowerment through aerobics.
Physical is a shrewd satire that takes swings at negative body image and American consumerism, and while its bite might be a little sharp for some, those who enjoy the show will find it has a lot of important things to say. And while many of Physical‘s characters are unlikable, Byrne once again delivers a masterful performance that is worth watching.
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