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With the uncontrollable growth of the streaming era, there are so many subscriptions that people often lose track of what they’re paying for. But if there’s one streamer worth investing in, it’s definitely Apple TV, which is more of a curated boutique than a fast-paced content factory. They don’t produce the most shows, but their hit rate is truly humbling.
With near-religious consistency, they’ve delivered a library of shows so meticulously crafted they often give off a masterclass vibe rather than just pure television. These are the shows you would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone, without disclaimers or promises that they get better in Season 2—these are the ten Apple TV shows that are 10/10, no notes.
10
‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’ (2026–Present)
Margo’s Got Money Troubles is the most charming and unconventional dramedy you’ll find on the tech giant’s streaming service. Based on the novel by Rufi Thorpe, the series stars Elle Fanning as Margo, a college freshman who, after an affair with her professor, leaves her pregnant and broke, turns to creating adult content on OnlyFans to make ends meet. The show feels gimmicky to only seem like it doesn’t take itself too seriously, but beneath the absurdity lies a surprisingly tender and honest exploration of sex work, financial stress, addiction, and toxic family dynamics.
The show is anchored by a fantastic cast that, besides the stunning Elle Fanning, includes Michelle Pfeiffer, Nick Offerman, Greg Kinnear, and a revelation in Thaddea Graham. The show has been praised for its sharp writing and Fanning’s fearless performance. Margo’s Got Money Troubles treats its characters with genuine humanity, finding the humor and heart in their struggles without ever flattening their choices into a simple moral lesson. It’s a rare, modern masterpiece that is as smart as it is sweet and a perfect addition to Apple’s growing library of character-driven dramedies that refuse to play by the rules.
9
‘Ted Lasso’ (2020–Present)
Ted Lasso is unquestionably a show that conveys a simple but often underrated message: kindness is not a weakness. While the premise—an American football coach taking over a Premier League soccer team—seems great for a one-time joke (as it was for Jason Sudeikis), Ted Lasso became a global phenomenon by using relentless optimism without ever feeling like a cliché. Throughout its first three seasons, the show was a masterclass in navigating themes of mental health, toxic masculinity, and grief while remaining one of television’s funniest and most feel-good shows.
Ted Lasso has won 13 Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series for its first season, and holds a 90% Rotten Tomatoes score across all seasons. Ted Lasso Season 4, coming in late summer 2026, follows Ted as he coaches a women’s team, asking whether lightning can strike twice; if the past is any indication, it absolutely can. This is the show that proved a feel-good comedy could also have teeth, tackling depression and anxiety with the same deft touch it brings to its beloved one-liners. Its reputation as a cultural touchstone is undeniably pristine.
8
‘Silo’ (2023–Present)
Silo is the kind of sci-fi thriller that will keep you captivated from start to finish. The dystopian story takes place in an underground silo that was built to house humanity’s last remaining survivors after a mysterious event rendered the Earth’s surface uninhabitable. The show is a master class in world-building, depicting a claustrophobic and oppressive society in which the truth is the most dangerous commodity. Rebecca Ferguson is phenomenal as Juliette, an engineer who begins to question the rigid rules of her world, setting her on a dangerous collision course with the powerful people who control it.
With a 90% Rotten Tomatoes rating, Silo has received accolades for its beautiful production design and complex storyline. With each episode, the show gradually reveals the answers while increasing suspense and mystery; the stakes are always personal, and the world seems real and lived in. Silo is often considered the pinnacle of contemporary dystopian science fiction, and it’s carried out flawlessly, finding a spot on many lists of sci-fi masterpieces.
7
‘Shrinking’ (2023–Present)
Shrinking is one of the most feel-good shows about feeling bad you will ever see. Created by Bill Lawrence, Brett Goldstein, and Jason Segel, the series follows a grieving therapist (Segel) who starts breaking the rules and telling his patients exactly what he thinks. Shrinking is a show built on the idea that radical honesty, while frequently messy and inappropriate, can be the first step toward real healing.
Segel delivers a career-best performance, but the true revelation is Harrison Ford, who plays his cynical mentor. Ford is hilarious, cranky, and profoundly vulnerable in a role that feels like a second act for his entire career. The show has a 93% Rotten Tomatoes rating and has received praise for its emotional depth and sharp comedic writing. It’s a series that understands the fine line between laughter and tears, often delivering both in the same scene. Every episode is a beautifully acted mini-masterpiece with a massive heart, demonstrating that you can laugh and cry in the same breath.
6
‘For All Mankind’ (2019–Present)
What if the Space Race never ended? That’s the fascinating premise behind For All Mankind, which imagines an alternate history where the Soviet Union beats the United States to the Moon, forcing NASA to accelerate its ambitions far beyond what happened in reality. Spanning decades, the series follows astronauts, engineers, and their families as each new achievement pushes humanity deeper into space.
While spectacular missions and technological breakthroughs are central to the story, For All Mankind‘s greatest strength lies in the people behind them and the sacrifices they make in pursuit of progress. Created by Ronald D. Moore, the show earned widespread acclaim for combining hard science fiction with compelling human drama. Every season raises the stakes while delivering stunning visual effects and an optimistic vision of humanity’s future. For All Mankind stands as one of the finest science-fiction dramas of the streaming era and one of Apple TV’s defining original series.
5
‘Pachinko’ (2022–2024)
Pachinko is the kind of show that makes you feel like you’re watching art unfold before your eyes. Based on the acclaimed novel of the same name by Min Jin Lee, it’s an epic, multi-generational saga that follows a Korean family’s struggle for survival and identity across four generations, spanning from occupied Korea in the early 1900s to the bustling streets of 1980s Japan. The show is a breathtaking achievement in storytelling, weaving together timelines and languages with masterful grace.
Pachinko is a story of love, loss, and the relentless pursuit of a better life, anchored by a stunning performance from Youn Yuh-jung as the older version of the protagonist and Kim Min-ha as the younger version. It has a 97% Rotten Tomatoes score and was named one of the best shows of the year by many critics and fans. The emotional weight of every scene is immense, yet the show is balanced, never feeling heavy-handed; it’s a rare and perfect piece of television that feels deeply personal and universally resonant all at once, a testament to the power of storytelling itself.
4
‘Pluribus’ (2025–Present)
From Vince Gilligan, the creator of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, comes Apple TV’s biggest drama launch ever. Pluribus is a sci-fi thriller starring Rhea Seehorn as Carol Sturka, a woman described as “the most miserable person on Earth.” Her mission is to save the world from happiness—better said, an alien virus that has merged all of humanity into a single, shared consciousness, now existing as a collective consumed by absolute serenity. Carol, together with twelve other people across the globe, is immune to the virus and doesn’t believe that the “happiness” is earned; she tries to reverse the contagion but seems to be the only one who believes it to be wrong.
Pluribus was the most anticipated show of 2025; as soon as it was announced, the hype became too strong to ignore, and the premiere of the show earned a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Now, it holds a near-perfect 99% score and rave reviews from both critics and audiences. Already renewed for a second season ahead of its premiere, Pluribus is a dense, intellectually ambitious thriller that cements Gilligan’s legacy as one of television’s greatest storytellers. It’s the kind of show that demands your full attention and rewards it handsomely.
3
‘Severance’ (2022–Present)
There hasn’t been a weak episode among the bunch through Severance‘s two seasons to date. The only flaw is waiting so long between seasons, which then pass so quickly that there’s nothing else to truly fill the Severance-shaped hole in our minds and hearts. If a workplace comedy and a metaphysical horror film had a baby, Severance would be its name. The show follows Mark Scout (Adam Scott), an employee of Lumon Industries who undergoes an original procedure they invented, which severs his memories, literally splitting his work self (“innie”) from his home self (“outie”). It’s a cerebral dive into the complex topic of dealing with problems by literally forcing yourself to forget about them.
Severance has two seasons, and both are among some of the greatest television programs to ever grace the small screen, building intensity while making viewers feel for the characters and awakening empathy for the powerlessness of the victims of corporate life. With 68 Emmy nominations and a 95% Rotten Tomatoes score, it’s not just one of the most perfect shows on Apple TV but one of the best shows on television, period.
2
‘Widow’s Bay’ (2026–Present)
If you’re looking for the perfect surprise hit of 2026, look no further than Widow’s Bay. This brand-new Apple TV show is a horror-comedy that has critics (and audiences) absolutely losing their minds. The series stars Matthew Rhys as the mayor of the island community of Widow’s Bay, who is trying to turn his cursed island home into the next Martha’s Vineyard. The problem is, the island’s curse turns out to be very, very real, and it’s waking up just as tourists begin flooding into Widow’s Bay.
Widow’s Bay walks a tightrope that is hard to survive: it is both properly scary and properly funny, often in the same scene. With a near-perfect 98% Rotten Tomatoes score, it’s being hailed as the best show of the year and an expert-level balance of genres that go together like peanut butter and jelly. The sharp writing and elevated dialogue by Katie Dippold are elevated by the keen eye of producer/director Hiro Murai. The chemistry between Rhys and his eccentric supporting cast makes every scene stand out, though scenes without him are often just as electrifying. Keep your eyes open for the curse of Widow’s Bay.
1
‘Slow Horses’ (2022–Present)
Slow Horses is the surest bet on the streamer; it’s the anti-James Bond spy show based on a series of novels by Mick Herron. There are no gadgets or glamour, just a team of disgraced MI5 spies (“slow horses,” a derogatory term) rotting in a department called Slough House, which was specifically designed to make them quit. At the center of it all is Gary Oldman, doing the best work of his career as Jackson Lamb, the unkempt genius who leads Slough House.
Across five seasons, the show has never dropped below a 95% audience score, with Seasons 2 and 4 earning a perfect 100% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes. Delivering six tight episodes per season with no filler whatsoever, Slow Horses is the definition of a perfect, lean thriller, a must-watch for anyone who loves smart, character-driven spycraft. Oldman’s performance alone is worth taking a look at, but the ensemble cast, including Kristin Scott Thomas and Jack Lowden, is uniformly excellent, with a stunning, electric chemistry. Slow Horses is the most consistently brilliant show on television, full stop.
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Anja Djuricic
Almontather Rassoul
