Despite taking a while to find its feet,Apple TV+has become one of the highest-quality streaming platforms around, and it has an array of bingeable shows that are perfect for this weekend’s viewing. Having started in 2019, Apple TV+ was playing catch-up with some of the more well-established streaming services, such as Netflix and Prime Video.
Although it launched with some mainstream titles available to purchase,Apple TV+ created numerous great original moviesand shows that often got overlooked due to being on a relatively niche platform. However, more and more money has been invested each year, helping build a rather impressive library of exclusive projects that have created a positive and trusted reputation.
As a result,Apple TV+ has become known for having arguably the best sci-fiand comedy shows on the market, with the likes ofTed LassoandSilostanding out. While both are undoubtedly great choices to add to your watch list, there are three even better Apple TV+ originals that are excellent options to binge this weekend.
3Dickinson
One of the earliest hits to find a home on Apple TV+ was Alena Smith’sDickinson, a dramatic comedy following a young writer and her coming-of-age story. The series is based on the real-life historical figure, Emily Dickinson (Hailee Steinfeld), as she attempts to become a world-class poet while also discovering who she really is.
Emily’s rebellious nature makes for some hilarious moments alongside some heartfelt, emotional scenes that help convey the show’s two best elements. Love is also a constant theme throughout all three seasons, which plays a critical role in Emily’s life as well as her poetry, givingDickinsonyet another great quality that makes it such a memorable show.
The cast does a great job of embracing the historical setting while still making the project feel suitable for a wide audience, and the consistently strong performances explain why the comedy-drama series is so highly rated. While the platform still has countless interesting ongoing projects,Dickinsonis hands down one of thebest finished shows on Apple TV+.
Unlike some of the competition,Dickinsondidn’t overstay its welcome or run for too long, with three seasons feeling like the perfect amount of time to tell Emily’s story. Each installment consists of 10 episodes, which average around the half-hour mark, making it just the right length to binge over the course of a few days.
As a result,Hailee Steinfeld’sDickinsonis a great Apple TV+ recommendationfor the weekend, and it has plenty of universal appeal. Even those who aren’t usually into more romance-based dramas may genuinely enjoy the critically acclaimed project, given that it is filled with light-hearted humor while also being incredibly creative and original, hence its impressive popularity.
The streaming service has undoubtedly changed and evolved as the years have rolled on, but almost four years after its conclusion,Dickinsonremains one of the best shows in Apple TV’s catalog, and it’s definitely worth giving a try if you haven’t already seen it.
2The Studio
The Studiois the latest hit comedy to come from Apple TV+, and it is already one of the biggest shows of the year. Seth Rogen stars as Matt Remick, the newly appointed head of a movie studio who desperately attempts to keep the business afloat despite the film industry facing numerous challenges, making his job a nightmare.
Alongside being a hilarious satire of Hollywood,The Studionails its tone and pacing while having great costume design, cinematography, and music, so much so that it has earned 23 Emmy nominations for its debut season. Unsurprisingly, the series was renewed for season 2 before season 1’s finale even aired, with Apple wasting no time in capitalizing on the positive momentum.
The Studio’s 23 Emmy nominations are the highest ever for the first season of a comedy series.
Despite all of these great attributes,The Studio’s biggest strength is its star-studded cast. Catherine O’Hara, Bryan Cranston, and Kathryn Hahn all have prominent roles, but the show also has some unbelievable guest stars, with names such as Anthony Mackie, Dave Franco, Charlize Theron, and even Martin Scorsese all featuring, which only scratches the surface of famous faces involved.
Seeing so many of Hollywood’s biggest actors feature in one project is already a significant reason to check outThe Studio, but these guest appearances are frequently important aspects of the story as well. As a result, the cast’s enthusiasm and commitment to conveying a fun yet enthusiastic narrative have earned dazzling reviews that are nothing short of exceptional.
With the show only being a single season so far, it’s a pretty easy one to binge, especially as episodes average around the half-hour mark, with the longest being the 44-minute premiere. Getting through these 10 episodes only gets easier as the season rolls on, and once you get invested in the plot and characters, it’ll be hard to stop watching.
Seth Rogen and the rest of the creators cooked up something special with this original comedy, and it’s encouraging to see it get so much recognition. Therefore, with the show bound to earn many accolades, it’s certainly worthwatching Apple TV’sThe Studiobefore awards seasonto see what all the hype is about, and I doubt you’ll be disappointed.
1Severance
Image via Apple TV+
Among all the great originals Apple TV+ has managed to produce over the years, few come close to matching the success and creativity ofSeverance. Set in an ordinary-looking office, Mark Scout (Adam Scott) leads his team of coworkers, whose memories of work are completely separate from their personal lives.
This premise essentially creates two different versions of all the main characters, despite these divided personalities still being part of the same person. However, when a colleague shows up outside of work, the central group attempts to discover the truth about their workplace, as they work on exposing the sinister secrets kept inside Lumon Industries.
What seems like a fairly simple concept at first turns into a web of mysteries and reveals, which cause plenty of chaos in one of the best sci-fi shows of the 21st century.Severanceis filled with constant drama and tension that makes it extremely easy to get hooked on, especially as each character brings something different to the table.
Unsurprisingly, there has already been talk of expanding the universe, creating plenty oftheories about whatSeverance’s rumored spinoffcould be about and how it would tie into the main series. Additionally, the show has been renewed for a third season, meaning there is still more to look forward to, even if you catch up on the captivating story.
So far, the project consists of 19 episodes which range between the 40-50-minute mark, although some are a little longer, notably season 2’s finale. These longer episodes do make it slightly more difficult to binge thanDickinsonorThe Studio, but watching all ofSeveranceis still comfortably manageable if you’ve got plenty of free time this weekend.
Seeing the thriller explore themes such as corruption and corporate greed through advanced technology is every bit as exciting as it is terrifying, and the expert execution of every twist helpsexplainSeverance’s massive popularity. It is dark, funny, and intriguing, constantly finding new ways to entertain the audience, with season 2’s ending creating so many more questions.
ComparingSeveranceto any other show on the market is extremely difficult since it really is a one-of-a-kind experience, but if you’re looking for something to binge this weekend, you shouldn’t overlook this award-winning show, as it may just be the best project onApple TV+.
