Commentary: The 14 best hidden gems on Apple TV

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Apple’s latest phone is now available, and buyers will receive a free three-month subscription to Apple TV+ (included with any new Apple product). Apple hasn’t done much to promote many of its shows, so while you might already know about popular series like “Severance,” “The Morning Show,” “The Studio,” “For All Mankind,” and “Ted Lasso,” here are some other shows I highly recommend. One show, the political thriller “The Savant” starring Jessica Chastain, was delayed indefinitely after a tragic shooting involving conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, and there’s currently no new release date.

‘Mr. Scorsese’

As a huge movie fan, I was thrilled to hear about this new five-part documentary series on Martin Scorsese, especially coming right after his first Emmy nomination! It’s directed by Rebecca Miller, and naturally, it features a ton of amazing people – actors, writers, directors – all talking about what makes Scorsese’s work so powerful and how much of an impact he’s had on film and our culture. But honestly, the real star is Scorsese himself. He narrates his own life story, and it’s fascinating! He even tries to direct the documentary while we’re watching it, which is hilarious and brilliant. He’s just as captivating on screen as he is behind the camera – if you loved his series with Fran Lebowitz, “Pretend It’s a City,” on Netflix, you absolutely have to check this out.

Review

‘Mr. Scorsese’ is the best behind-the-scenes reel you’ll ever get to see of the famed director

Rebecca Miller’s film, ‘Mr. Scorsese,’ offers a compelling look at the life of the famous director, built around extensive conversations with Martin Scorsese himself and those who’ve worked closely with him for years. It portrays a man deeply defined by his dedication to his craft.

‘Slow Horses’

Since it first came out in 2022, I’ve consistently recommended this show to anyone asking for something to watch. It centers around Jackson Lamb (played by Gary Oldman), a former top spy who’s now a messy, washed-up figure. He manages Slough House, which is essentially where the British intelligence agency sends agents who didn’t quite fit in. Based on the popular books by Mick Herron and featuring a fantastic cast including Jack Lowden and Kristin Scott Thomas, it’s one of the best shows on TV, pound for pound. Season five has just been released, but I highly recommend starting from the beginning.

Television

This week on Screen Gab, we’re discussing the show ‘Slow Horses,’ chatting with the creator of AppleTV+’s new Spanish-language series ‘Women in Blue,’ and covering other entertainment news.

‘Trying’

Honestly, I’m baffled that “Trying” isn’t talked about more – it’s been one of my favorite shows since it started in 2020. It follows Nikki and Jason, a couple in their thirties living in London, as they navigate the ups and downs of trying to start a family, first through having a baby, and then through adoption. It’s just such a sweet, funny, and incredibly real look at what it means to be a parent and build a family – beautifully imperfect, you know? There are four seasons out now, and a fifth one is coming, which I’m really excited about!

‘Bad Monkey’

Bill Lawrence, the creator of shows like “Scrubs” and “Ted Lasso,” brings the unique world of Florida author Carl Hiaasen to life in this series, based on one of Hiaasen’s novels. Expect plenty of quirky humor – and yes, alligators! Vince Vaughn stars as Jack Yancy, a well-meaning but often troubled detective who constantly finds himself in outlandish situations. The show is lighthearted and fun, and everyone involved seems to be enjoying themselves. The first season premiered in 2024, and more episodes are coming soon.

‘Bad Sisters’

This darkly funny Irish comedy, adapted from the Belgian series “Clan” by Sharon Horgan (who also acts in it), asks a simple question: what are sisters for? It’s a show with sharp writing, a surprisingly tender core, and beautiful scenery. The first two seasons are fantastic – please make another!

‘Dickinson’

Alena Smith’s series “Dickinson” creatively blends contemporary style with historical accuracy to portray a lively and unconventional young Emily Dickinson (Hailee Steinfeld), drawing inspiration from her famous poetry. The show beautifully captures the spirit of the real Dickinson, whose writing often felt ahead of its time, offering a poignant and insightful look at the experiences that may have shaped her work. As one of Apple TV+’s initial original shows, debuting in 2019, “Dickinson” gained significant recognition. Although the show ended after three seasons due to creative differences with Apple, it remains a standout achievement for the streaming service.

‘Home Before Dark’

Dana Fox’s 2020 series is charming because it follows a teenage girl who uses her passion for journalism to solve a local murder. The show is inspired by the true story of Hilde Lysiak, played by Brooklynn Prince, and at one point brought together Fox, cinematographer Alice Brooks, and director Jon M. Chu – the same team who would later work on the movie “Wicked.”

Television

Brooklynn Prince, known for her role in “The Florida Project,” is interviewed by Hilde Lysiak, the real-life young journalist who inspired the Apple TV+ series “Home Before Dark.”

‘Mythic Quest’

“Mythic Quest” is a funny workplace comedy that takes place at a successful video game company. While it starts by hilariously poking fun at Silicon Valley and gaming culture, the show surprisingly dives into deeper themes like ambition, friendship, love, and even the desire to dress up as characters. Starring Rob McElhenney and Charlotte Nicdao, it’s a great show to watch all at once or enjoy one episode a week. There are four seasons, plus a spin-off series called “Side Quest.”

‘Shrinking’

Apple TV+’s “Shrinking” is a standout show that I had to include. Created by Bill Lawrence, it follows Jimmy Laird (Jason Segel), a therapist grieving his wife, as he navigates life and work. What truly makes the show special is its incredible ensemble cast. The supporting characters – fellow therapists Paul (Harrison Ford) and Gaby (Jessica Williams), and friends Brian (Michael Urie) and Liz (Christa Miller) – are all hilarious and well-developed, and frankly, deserve Emmy awards. After three seasons, the creator has indicated he’d be willing to make a fourth.

‘Down Cemetery Road’

Featuring Emma Thompson as a private investigator and Ruth Wilson as a mother searching for her missing child, “Down Cemetery Road” is a new mystery-thriller series that debuted on Wednesday. Like “Slow Horses,” it’s based on novels by Mick Herron, though it has a more serious tone. Thompson and Wilson deliver strong performances, elevating the show into a compelling and insightful story.

‘Manhunt’

As a total movie buff, I just finished watching this seven-part series, and it’s based on the book “Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer.” Basically, the show follows that story, so knowing the book gives you a good idea of what to expect. But even if you don’t, it really dives into the complexities of John Wilkes Booth’s plot and everything that happened afterward – it’s more involved than I realized! What I found most fascinating was how the series really brought to life the role Edwin Stanton, the Secretary of War at the time (played brilliantly by Tobias Menzies), played in tracking Booth down. It also vividly portrays the sheer chaos and confusion that gripped the government and the nation after Lincoln’s assassination. It’s a deeply compelling watch, and honestly, it really stuck with me.

‘Silo’

We’ve seen many stories about life after a disaster, but ‘Silo’, based on Hugh Howey’s books, is among the best. It’s set in the near future, after a toxic event makes the air poisonous, forcing the last of humanity to live in a giant underground silo. Inside, a strict social hierarchy has developed, leading to unrest and questions about what really happened to the world above. While it shares similarities with shows like ‘Paradise’ and ‘Fallout’, ‘Silo’ stands out with its unique steampunk style and thought-provoking themes. It’s a strong sci-fi story, featuring a great cast including Rebecca Ferguson, Rashida Jones, Tim Robbins, and David Oyelowo, that explores what it means to be human, all set against a backdrop of futuristic technology and challenging problems. The show currently has two seasons, with a third one planned.

Awards

The actor described her character’s trauma as intensely overwhelming, almost suffocating, and explained that she tried to show this by portraying a physical reaction – a surge of fear – whenever anyone got too near her. She said this was how she approached the role in her Apple TV+ series.

‘The Essex Serpent’

Looking for a dark, romantic, and atmospheric story? This six-part series delivers, with a touch of mystery and a possible sea creature! It follows Cora Seaborne (Claire Danes), a woman who pursues her scientific dreams after escaping a difficult marriage. She travels to the coast of Essex, where rumors of a sea serpent are circulating after a young girl goes missing. There, she encounters Father Will (Tom Hiddleston), a conflicted priest grappling with his faith and a sick wife, and finds herself drawn to him. Adapted from Sarah Perry’s novel, this series is a sweeping romance that explores big ideas about faith, nature, and human desire, all wrapped up in a beautifully crafted historical setting.

‘Pachinko’

“Pachinko” is a sweeping, decades-long story about a Korean family’s life in Japan. Over 70 years and across multiple generations, the series explores themes like war, prejudice, immigration, and hardship, all while staying true to the lives and feelings of its characters, especially Sunja, portrayed by Kim Min-ha as a young woman and Oscar-winning actress Youn Yuh-jung in her later years. The story beautifully captures the complexities of cultural identity and the unpredictable nature of life. Much like the pachinko game itself – which inspires both the title and the source novel by Min Jin Lee – the series shows how chance and consequences often dictate our paths, and its scope is as grand and varied as any classic epic.

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2025-10-30 13:35