The Best Shows on Apple TV+ (August 2021)
Apple TV+ made waves with a variety of Emmy Award nominations in 2021 for series like Ted Lasso, which received an impressive 13 nods. From The Morning Show to Servant, Ghostwriter, and For All Mankind, the streaming service has become a force to be reckoned with when it comes to original TV content. There’s actually a lot more quality programming available on Apple TV+ than you might realize, and new titles and seasons are steadily being launched. Which are the best? We have curated this list of the best of the best you can watch on Apple TV+ right now to help you find your next binge-watch obsession.
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Watch the Sound with Mark Ronson
Oscar- and Grammy-winning producer and artist Mark Ronson sits down with a variety of musical icons, creators, and producers, including Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, Questlove, Charli XCX, and DJ Premier to discuss how music and technology work together harmoniously to result in beautiful hit songs. With insight into a variety of musical genres and styles, it’s a fascinating look at the work that goes behind creating the perfect sound. Each of the six docuseries episodes ends with Ronson revealing a new piece of original music he created using a variety of technologies and techniques, like reverb, synth, auto-tune, drum machines, sampling, distortion, and more.
Created by: Morgan Neville
Cast: Mark Ronson, various
Number of seasons: 1
Schmigadoon!
Melissa (Cecily Strong) and Josh (Keegan-Michael Key) are a couple hoping to breathe new life into their relationship by going on a backpacking trip together. But when they somehow end up in a magical town set in a 1940s studio musical, they find themselves immersed in song, dance, and a whole new approach to finding true love so they can get back home. The show is designed to be a parody of iconic musicals, chock-full of “clever inside-theater jokes,” note critics; and it actually works. While not everyone will be in on those jokes, there’s still joy in seeing the talented ensemble cast putting their musical talents on full display.
Created by: Cinco Paul, Ken Daurio
Cast: Keegan-Michael Key, Cecily Strong, Fred Armisen, Dove Cameron, Jaime Camil, Kristin Chenoweth, Alan Cumming, Ariana DeBose, Ann Harada, Jane Krakowski, Martin Short, Aaron Tveit
Number of seasons: 1
Physical
Reminiscent of the Jane Fonda workout video era, this ’80s-set dark comedy stars Rose Byrne as bored housewife Sheila Rubin, who finds a way to encourage her own self-love through fitness — in particular, the world of aerobics. While Sheila’s husband is busy with his run for state assembly, she starts her own empire when discovering how aerobics and videotapes can work in perfect unison to revolutionize the industry. Bodysuits and colorful tights, sweatbands, slouch socks, big hair, and signature ’80s aerobics moves make for a fun series that will spark nostalgia for anyone who grew up during that era and envy among those who wish they had.
Created by: Annie Weisman
Cast: Rose Byrne, Rory Scovel, Geoffrey Arend, Paul Sparks, Lou Taylor Pucci, Della Saba, Dierdre Friel
Number of seasons: 1
Ted Lasso
Saturday Night Live alum Jason Sudeikis returns to television in this fish-out-of-water sports comedy about an American football coach named Ted Lasso, who relocates to the U.K. to coach an English association football team. Except there’s one problem: Despite their faith in him, he actually has no experience at all with their version of “football,” which, as any sports fan knows, is soccer. Sudeikis is also credited as a co-creator and executive producer of the series, which is based on a character of the same name that he first played in promos for coverage of the Premier League by NBC Sports. Just five days after the first season was released, the show was renewed for a second and has since been renewed for a third.
Created by: Bill Lawrence, Jason Sudeikis, Brendan Hunt, Joe Kelly (format and characters from NBC Sports)
Cast: Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham, Jeremy Swift, Phil Dunster, Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt, Nick Mohammed, Juno Temple
Number of seasons: 2
Lisey’s Story
While early critic reviews have been polarizing for this limited series thriller, it’s tough to ignore the star-studded cast and the fact that the series is based on a bestselling novel of the same name by Stephen King. After Lisey’s (Julianne Moore) husband Scott (Clive Davis) passes away, she moves on as best she can. But years later, following a number of unsettling, terrifying, and dangerous events, Lisey finds repressed memories about her marriage beginning to bubble to the surface.
Created by: Based on Lisey’s Story by Stephen King
Cast: Julianne Moore, Clive Owen, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Dane DeHaan, Joan Allen
Number of seasons: 1
1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything
It’s incredible to imagine that one single year brought the world some of the best work from musical icons like The Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, Bob Marley, Marvin Gaye, The Who, Joni Mitchell, Lou Reed, and, well, the list goes on. This docuseries, delivered in eight parts, pulls back the curtain to reveal the journeys of some of the most influential musical artists of this pivotal year in the industry, along with how they used their music for more than just entertainment. The songs, the performances, the delivery, and the messages were all designed to inspire hope and change. It’s a must-watch for music fans, with critics lauding the “feast of rare footage.”
Created by: Mercury Studios
Cast: Various archival footage
Number of seasons: 1
The Me You Can’t See
The deep and honest testimonials from influential Hollywood figures like Lady Gaga and Glenn Close combined with the guided discussions by Oprah Winfrey and Prince Harry and the timely and important subject matter of mental health all beautifully come together to create this series. It’s a must-watch for anyone looking to work on their emotional well-being and learn how to help others around them who are dealing with their own personal struggles. The conversations are expectedly raw, open, and inspiring. The simple importance of the series itself transcends any type of typical critical analysis. “If [the series] helps one person,” noted CNN’s Brian Lowry, “this globe-spanning exercise was surely worth it.”
Created by: Harpo Productions, RadicalMedia
Cast: Oprah Winfrey, Prince Harry, Lady Gaga, Glenn Close, DeMar DeRozan
Number of seasons: 1
Mythic Quest
This comedy looks at the inside world of video game creation, telling the story from the perspective of those who work in a development studio. Starring Rob McElhenney (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) as Ian, the creative director, the show has nine episodes to date in the first season, with a second season planned as well. With solid ratings all around, Rotten Tomatoes calls it hilarious, and lauds its ability to explore the gaming industry with “intelligence, thoughtfulness, and sincerity.” It is, however, called out for relying too heavily on the “workplace comedy formula.” Nonetheless, if you’re into that genre as well as video games, it’s worth checking out. Season 2 begins May 7.
Created by: Charlie Day, Megan Ganz, Rob McElhenney
Cast: Rob McElhenney, Charlotte Nicdao, David Hornsby, Ashly Burch, Jessie Ennis
Number of seasons: 2
Tehran
One of Apple TV+’s first real hit dramas also happens to be its first non-English show. The espionage series tells the story of a Mossad agent who goes deep undercover on a dangerous mission in Tehran, Iran. It looks familiar in the sense that it’s a spy show, but Tehran has a completely unique perspective, focusing on an Israeli woman in an extraordinarily dangerous situation in the heart of the Middle East.
Created by: Moshe Zonder
Cast: Niv Sultan, Shaun Toub, Navid Negahban
Number of seasons: 1
Calls
Calls truly is unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. While the series boasts an A-list cast, you only ever hear their voices. On-screen is just text dialogue boxes displaying what each person is saying with mesmerizing and colorful animations behind that fit the mood, cadence, and situation going on in every scene. It’s dark, dramatic, nail-biting, and terrifying, arguably more so because there are minimal visuals on screen, which leaves the viewer to use their own imagination. All it takes is about five minutes into the first episode to shift from confusion to letting your imagination run wild and getting sucked right into the sci-fi and supernatural story. Based on the French series of the same name and promising to offer an “immersive television experience” (it delivers just that), the convincing and emotional voice performances from the cast really make this show a worthy watch. Every episode is under 20 minutes so you can breeze through all nine in season 1 in a single evening. Keep in mind, however, that the swirling backgrounds can be headache-inducing, and the heavy and dark storylines mean you might only be able to mentally stomach one or two episodes a night. But it’s totally worth it.
Created by: Fede Alvarez
Voice Cast: Nick Jonas, Pedro Pascal, Rosario Dawson, Lily Collins, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Aubrey Plaza
Number of seasons: 1
For All Mankind
Ronald D. Moore is no stranger to space, having worked on various Star Trek series throughout the ’90s (including the underrated Deep Space Nine) and created 2004’s superb reimagining of Battlestar Galactica. Moore’s For All Mankind once again ventures beyond Earth’s atmosphere, telling an alternate-history story in which the Soviet Union beats America to the moon, forcing NASA to lick its wounds and double down on further voyages into space. Rather than mining the familiar stories that astronaut biopics tend to, For All Mankind takes the fun approach of imagining just how different history could have played out — for example, President Richard Nixon, eager to attract female voters, orders NASA to deploy women to space. It’s not a revolutionary show, but it’s an entertaining one, particularly for fans of Cold War history.
Created by: Ronald D. Moore, Matt Wolpert, Ben Nedivi
Cast: Joel Kinnaman, Michael Dorman, Wrenn Schmidt, Sarah Jones, Shantel VanSanten, Jodi Balfour
Number of seasons: 2
The Snoopy Show
Charles M. Schulz’s famous comic strip comes to life again in this reincarnation of the popular characters, namely Snoopy the beagle and his adorable sidekick Woodstock. As expected, the two go on plenty of adventures together, and Snoopy continues to fight the Red Baron through various personas, including the Masked Marvel, Joe Cool, and Flying Ace. The episodes are just seven minutes long, but they will bring back memories for parents and delight kids of all ages. Alongside Snoopy, other favorite characters return, including Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, and Peppermint Patty.
Created by: Based on Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz
Cast: Ethan Pugiotto, Terry McGurrin, Rob Tinkler, Christian Dal Dosso, Isabella Leo, Holly Gorski, Hattie Kragter
Number of seasons: 1
Losing Alice
Dubbed a “love letter for the still-too-rare female director,” reviews thus far have been fantastic, with the series lauded for being both “twisty and thrilling.” The psychological neo-noir drama takes you back and forth in time, following the title character Alice, a 48-year-old film director who becomes obsessed with a 24-year-old femme fatale screenwriter. Inspired by Faust’s tale, whereby the subject of German legend makes a deal with the devil in an effort to find satisfaction and power in his life, Alice does much the same in her quest for achieving lasting relevance. It’s a complex and thought-provoking story that marks an interesting option within Apple TV+’s growing list of series.
Created by: Sigal Avin
Cast: Ayelet Zurer, Lihi Kornowski, Gal Toren, Yossi Marshek, Shai Avivi, Chelli Goldenberg, Hadas Jade Sakori
Number of seasons: 1
Stillwater
Perfect for family TV night, this animated series follows three siblings, Karl, Addy, and Michael, who befriend their neighbor, who just happens to be a panda named Stillwater. The cuddly bear is old and wise and often teaches the kids about the world and how to become good people. It’s a wonderful series that parents will appreciate for its focus on calm and peacefulness. And while the quiet, laidback Stillwater teaches kids to relax and take in the world around them, he also imparts valuable life lessons through each parable he tells. It’s a welcome departure from the loud, high-energy content that is typical of kids’ shows these days.
Created by: Rob Hoegee, Sidonie Dumas, Christophe Riandee (executive producers)
Cast: Eva Ariel Binder, Tucker Chandler, Judah Mackey, James Sie
Number of seasons: 1
Doug Unplugs
While it’s a kids’ show, Doug Unplugs could also be interpreted as a modern-day tale of the changing face of human nature and our desire to always remain plugged in, using artificial intelligence and technology to experience the world around us. Rather, Doug Unplugs flips the script with a robot named Doug who yearns to explore the world as humans do. Based on the Doug Unplugged book series by Dan Yaccarino, the curious robot secretly unplugs himself whenever the other robots plug in to download. With the help of his best friend, a human girl named Emma, he learns new things about the world each day that require far more than bare-bones facts. Each episode is just 11 minutes long, but it’s perfect viewing for young kids and families.
Created by: Jim Nolan
Cast: Brandon James Cienfuegos, Kyrie Mcalpin, Eric Bauza, Mae Whitman
Number of seasons: 1
Dickinson
This isn’t your high school literature teacher’s Emily Dickinson. Season 2 of the popular show is now streaming, in which we follow the iconic poet (played by Hailee Steinfeld) in her younger years as she strives to develop her talents in a culture where women are expected to be accessories to their family. Although her father Edward (Toby Huss) angrily disapproves of her literary aspirations, Emily has support from friend and lover Sue Gilbert (Ella Hunt) and a magazine editor. In the second season, we see Emily rebel against her parents and grapple with fame — something her real-life counterpart had yet to achieve while she lived. Dickinson isn’t a straightforward costume drama, however. The show has modern sensibilities, with dialogue that sounds straight out of teen dramas like Riverdale, a hip-hop soundtrack, and even some 19th-century twerking. This is a show without much concern for historical authenticity, instead reinterpreting Emily Dickinson for the TikTok generation.
Created by: Alena Smith
Cast: Hailee Steinfeld, Toby Huss, Anna Baryshnikov, Ella Hunt, Adrian Enscoe, Jane Krakowski
Number of seasons: 2
Servant
After their infant son Jericho dies, Sean (Toby Kebbell) and Dorothy Turner (Lauren Ambrose) are distraught, Dorothy so much that she suffers a psychological breakdown. To help Dorothy recover, the couple gets a lifelike therapy doll, which Dorothy treats as if it’s real. Sean and Dorothy’s brother Julian (Harry Potter‘s Rupert Grint) both put up with the act for her sake, but things get even stranger when the couple’s nanny, a young woman named Leanne (Nell Tiger Free), arrives, and she too behaves as if the doll is a real child. As Sean tries to figure out what is going on with the new nanny, he begins to question his own grip on reality. Servant is an eerie thriller, executive produced by M. Night Shyamalan no less, that moves at a brisk pace and doesn’t overstay its welcome.
Created by: Tony Basgallop
Cast: Lauren Ambrose, Toby Kebbell, Nell Tiger Free, Rupert Grint
Number of seasons: 2
Earth at Night In Color
If you’re in the mood for a good nature show, it’s hard to do much better than Earth at Night In Color. Narrated by Tom Hiddleston and filmed across six continents, this ambitious series follows a huge array of species when we seldom see them: At night. The series uses cutting-edge technology to follow big cats like lions and jaguars, brown bears, tiny primates, and many more animals through their nighttime routines.
Cast: Tom Hiddleston
Number of seasons: 1
Long Way Up
Everybody likes Ewan McGregor, right? That’s the bet that Apple made when they greenlit this adventure series that is basically just McGregor and his best friend Charley Boorman going on a road trip. Somehow, it actually works. McGregor and Boorman haven’t seen each other in a while and haven’t done a motorbike adventure together since 2007’s Long Way Down. This time, their vast adventure covers 13,000 miles across 16 border crossings and 13 countries over 100 days. Riding from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Los Angeles, California, McGregor and Boorman take the long way, exploring some of the most underexposed landscapes of South and Central America and meeting some of their most isolated peoples. Using cutting-edge tech on their prototype electric Harley-Davidsons, they actually contribute to the sustainability of the planet and make climate change a focal point of their journey.
Created by: Ewan McGregor, Charley Boorman
Cast: Ewan McGregor, Charley Boorman
Number of seasons: 1
Truth Be Told
True crime podcasts are a dime-a-dozen these days, which is why this subversion of the genre is so juicy. This star-studded drama follows a true-crime podcaster (Octavia Spencer) who has reached nationwide fame for her work on a high-profile murder case. But when new evidence arises that suggests her original suspect — who she has very clearly pointed the finger at — may have been wrongfully convicted, her world begins to tumble down. And, with it, the walls start closing in.
Created by: Nichelle Tramble Spellman
Cast: Octavia Spencer, Lizzy Caplan, Aaron Paul
Number of seasons: 1
Little Voice
Sara Bareilles both co-created and provides the original music for this series about a young woman named Bess King (Brittany O’Grady) who is trying to fulfill her dreams of becoming a singer. But she has to balance this personal desire with being pulled in the other direction of her troubled family life. Apple calls the series a “love letter” to the music scene in New York. Executive produced by J.J. Abrams, the series has received decent reviews, with the catchy tunes and engaging cast lauded for making it a nice binge-watch. There are nine 30-minute episodes in the first season.
Created by: Jessie Nelson
Cast: Brittany O’Grady, Sean Teale, Colton Ryan, Shalini Bathina, Kevin Valdez, Phillip Johnson Richardson
Number of seasons: 1
Greatness Code
For sports fans who are craving behind-the-scenes details about their favorites, this short-form, unscripted docuseries might fit the bill. Each episode focuses on the life and career of a different athlete spanning various sports franchises, such as LeBron James, Tom Brady, Shaun White, and Usain Bolt. The sports icons talk about their inspirations and the important moments that defined their careers and share never-before-heard stories. Brady, James, and Michael Strahan co-founded the company that co-produced the series. There are seven mini-episodes in the first season.
Created by: Erik LeDrew (writer), Gotham Chopra (director)
Cast: Usain Bolt, Tom Brady, LeBron James, Katie Ledecky, Alex Morgan, Kelly Slater, Shaun White
Number of seasons: 1
Dear …
In this heartwarming docuseries, celebrities read letters fans have written to them, discussing how their work has changed or impacted their lives in a positive way. Oprah Winfrey, Gloria Steinem, Spike Lee, Stevie Wonder, and Lin-Manuel Miranda are among the first group of celebrities to read touching words that reassure their work is more important than just entertainment. Critics and audiences alike have given the series high praise. There are 10 episodes featuring 10 celebrities in season 1.
Created by: Rishika Advani (senior story producer)
Cast: Misty Copeland, Jane Goodall, Spike Lee, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Yara Shahidi, Gloria Steinem, Matt Vogel, Oprah Winfrey, Stevie Wonder, and others
Number of seasons: 1
Helpsters
Designed for kids aged 4 and up, this Sesame Workshop series sees Cody and his other monster friends help solve everyday problems while teaching kids valuable lessons and analytical skills in the process. From learning how to do magic tricks to climbing mountains and making homemade instruments, kids will learn tons of things in a fun and engaging way that integrates the concepts of coding. The characters are all puppets, but despite the resemblance, they are not referred to as Muppets.
Created by: Timothy McKeon
Cast: Jennifer Barnhart, Stephanie D’Abruzzo, Ingrid Hansen, Tim Lagasse, Martin P. Robinson, Vanessa Bayer, and others
Number of seasons: 2
Snoopy in Space
This Flash-animated series, jointly developed between the U.S. and Canada, is inspired by the iconic Peanuts comic strip, the adorable pup, and his misadventures with best friend and sidekick, Woodstock. As the title implies, the first season of 12 episodes follows Snoopy’s journey to becoming an astronaut, which means he has to prove himself to NASA. Naturally, Woodstock decides to come along for the ride. Reviews have been good, suggesting the series is a much-watch for kids and nostalgic adults, alike.
Created by: Rob Boutilier (based on Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz)
Cast: Terry McGurrin, Robert Tinkler, Ethan Pugiotto, Hattie Kragten, Christian Dal Dosso, Isabella Leo, Wyatt White, Holly Gorski, Isis Moore, Milo Toriel-McGibbon, Nicole Byer, Sean Cullen, Julie Lemieux, David Berni
Number of seasons: 1
Ghostwriter
If you grew up in the ’90s, you’re probably familiar with this mystery kids’ series about a team of young detectives who band together to solve crimes. But they can’t do it alone: They lean on their mysterious ghost friend, Ghostwriter. Apple TV+ has rebooted the series to tell the story of a new group of kids that must solve a mystery involving a ghost that’s haunting a local bookstore and releasing fictional characters into the world. Geared toward kids ages 8 and older, it’s a great show to watch with the whole family.
Created by: Luke Matheny (based on Ghostwriter by Liz Nealon)
Cast: Isaac Arellanes, Amadi Chapata, Hannah Levinson, Justin Sanchez, Jay Santiago, Nicola Correia-Damude, Michael Brown, Tamara Almeida, Parker Lauzon, and others
Number of seasons: 2
Oprah’s Book Club
Sit back with a hot cup of cocoa and relax with Oprah, who is back in this talk show that serves as a spinoff to the popular segment of the same name that debuted on The Oprah Winfrey Show. One episode was released every two months, each focusing on a different book. In her signature and deeply engaging style, Winfrey discusses the book with the author, exploring various angles, inspirations, and interpretations. There are a total of six episodes to date, featuring a selection of diverse books like Ta-Nehisi Coates’ The Water Dancer, about a superhuman being who can travel with others over long distances using large waterways, and Hidden Valley Road by Robert Kolker, a fascinating nonfiction book about the Galvin family of Colorado, who had 12 children, six of whom were diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Created by: Oprah Winfrey
Cast: Oprah Winfrey and various guests
Number of seasons: 1
Defending Jacob
Trying his hand at the small screen, Avengers star Chris Evans is joined by Michelle Dockery, Cherry Jones, and J.K. Simmons in this crime drama about a 14-year-old who is accused of murder. While his parents steadfastly believe in his innocence, the evidence mounting against the young boy is enough to make them question if they really know their son, as they deal with the moral dilemma of defending him, despite their suspicions. The series, based on the novel of the same name by William Landay, is a juicy crime drama worth watching if you’re looking for something new in that genre.
Created by: Mark Bomback (based on Defending Jacob by William Landay)
Cast: Chris Evans, Michelle Dockery, Jaeden Martell, Cherry Jones, Pablo Schreiber, Betty Gabriel, Sakina Jaffrey
Number of seasons: 1
Trying
With a second season already in the works, this BBC Studios comedy follows a couple who wants to start a family but are having trouble conceiving. Eventually, they decide to go the route of adoption. But the realization that it’s not going to be an easy road sets in and they begin to get cold feet after comparing themselves to other potential adopters and babysitting their friends’ kids to gain experience. It’s a tough and serious topic, but the series takes a light-hearted look that critics and viewers seem to enjoy.
Created by: Andy Wolton
Cast: Esther Smith, Rafe Spall
Number of seasons: 1
Fraggle Rock: Rock On!
A great family-friendly show that will take ’80s parents back, the Fraggles have returned in Fraggle Rock: Rock On! to tell stories in a musical way that will entertain and get kids laughing and dancing along. Fraggles are monster-like puppet creatures who live in different caves. But they find ways to all get along, despite their differences. In addition to this season of this Apple TV+ reboot, you can relive seasons 1-4 of the original ’80s episodes of Fraggle Rock, too.
Created by: The Jim Henson Company (based on Fraggle Rock)
Cast: Karen Prell, John Tartaglia, Donna Kimball, Dave Goelz, Frankie Cordero
Number of seasons: 1
Watch on Apple TV+ Watch the Original Fraggle Rock
Central Park
Josh Gad is a co-creator of this musical animated sitcom about a family who lives in Central Park. The story is told from the perspective of a busker named Birdie (Gad), who observes the family, which includes father and nerdy park manager, Owen (Leslie Odom Jr.); his wife, Paige (Kathryn Hahn), a journalist who is trying to move beyond just writing puff pieces; their daughter, Molly (Kristen Bell), who draws comics; and their son, Cole (Tituss Burgess), who loves animals. When an elderly heiress named Bitsy (Stanley Tucci) swoops in with plans to buy the park and turn the land into condos, it’s up to the family to save it. With a cast that also includes Daveed Diggs as Helen, Bitsy’s assistant, Tony Shalhoub as Paige’s boss, and guest voice roles from Fred Armisen, Ed Asner, and others, the comedy has tons of star power.
Created by: Josh Gad, Loren Bouchard, Nora Smith
Cast: Kristen Bell, Tituss Burgess, Daveed Diggs, Josh Gad, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Stanley Tucci, Emmy Raver-Lampman
Number of seasons: 2
The Morning Show
This drama has received a lot of attention thanks to its star-studded cast, including Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, and Steve Carell, and renewed interest following Billy Crudup’s Emmy win for his supporting role. The story kicks off when Mitch Kessler (Carell), a popular morning news show co-host, is abruptly fired due to sexual misconduct allegations against him. As his long-time co-host and friend Alex Levy (Aniston) tries to deal with the aftermath of the events along with the fear that she might be replaced, she meets a bright, young, and ambitious local news reporter named Bradley Jackson (Witherspoon) who could be a friend or foe. The show touches deeply on a culture of silence surrounding women in the workplace and is a superb choice to watch if you’re looking for something that’s topical and different from your usual TV drama. The Morning Show has been renewed for a second season, but no release date has been set as yet.
Created by: Jay Carson
Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Billy Crudup, Mark Duplass, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Nestor Carbonell, Karen Pittman, Bel Powley, Desean Terry, Jack Davenport, Steve Carell
Number of seasons: 1
Home Before Dark
The Rotten Tomatoes critical consensus of this mystery drama describes it as being “more intriguing than its mawkish writing lets on,” and lauding the young Brooklynn Prince for her dedicated performance. The show is about a young girl named Hilde (Prince) who moves to a small lakeside town and comes across a cold murder case she believes everyone is trying to bury, including her own father. It was actually based on the real story of 9-year-old Hilde Lysiak (now 13) who heads up her own local newspaper and once broke the news about a murder case before any other media outlet did.
Created by: Dana Fox, Dara Resnik
Cast: Brooklynn Prince, Jim Sturgess, Abby Miller, Louis Herthum, Michael Weston, Kylie Rogers, Aziza Scott, Adrian Hough, Kiefer O’Reilly, Joelle Carter, Jibrail Nantambu, Deric McCabe, Rio Mangini
Number of seasons: 2
Little America
Renewed for a second season before the first even premiered, this anthology series is perfect if you’re interested in learning more about stories of immigrants in America. Each episode covers a different standalone story of people from all cultures going to America with big dreams. They view obstacles as opportunities and must try to become American while also not forgetting their roots. Clever but straightforward episode titles include “The Manager,” “The Cowboy,” and “The Baker.” The first season has an impressive 94% critic rating and 87% audience score on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, with the critic consensus referring to it as “joyous, heartfelt, and very human … a thoughtful collection of immigrant tales [that is] as inspirational as it is relatable.”
Created by: Lee Eisenberg, Kumail Nanjiani, Emily V. Gordon (Based on Little American by Epic Magazine)
Cast: Suraj Sharma, Jearnest Corchado, Rishi Danda, Uchenna “Conphidance” Echeazu, Melanie Laurent, Kemiyondo Coutinho, Shaun Toub, Angela Lin
Number of seasons: 1
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