Best series to stream on Apple TV+
From Silo to Severance, here's everything worth your time on Apple TV+.
It can be hard to keep track of the growing number of streaming services on offer, but among the flurry of platforms is Apple TV+, which, in recent years, has cemented itself as one of the strongest going.
Known for its all-star original content spanning all different genres, from quirky comedies to gripping thrillers and stellar sci-fi, the streamer has it all, and is currently releasing new episodes of genre-bending series Murderbot starring Alexander Skarsgård.
Other recent releases include The Studio, which is led by Seth Rogen and has already been renewed for a second season, and Dope Thief, the thriller starring Brian Tyree Henry and Wagner Moura.
They sit alongside fan-favourite shows like dramedy Ted Lasso and crime drama hit Bad Sisters, and with all these incredible series it can be hard to know where to start.
Thankfully, we've done the hard work for you. Read on for a curated list of 18 standout series available to stream on Apple TV+ now, courtesy of Radio Times.
1. Murderbot
A sci-fi action comedy adapted from Martha Wells’s beloved novella All Systems Red, Murderbot follows a rogue security cyborg (SecUnit), played by Alexander Skarsgård, who hides its sentience while protecting a group of human scientists.
The show balances thrilling action sequences with dry humour and emotional depth, making it a standout for fans of character-driven science fiction, with Skarsgård’s performance widely praised as his best to date.
2. Severance
This psychological thriller explores the disturbing concept of work-life balance taken to the extreme. Employees at Lumon Industries undergo a procedure to separate their work and personal memories.
Adam Scott stars as Mark, whose dual existence begins to unravel in haunting ways. Season 2 continues the eerie atmosphere and deepens the mystery, with standout direction from Ben Stiller and a five-star critical reception.
3. Silo
Set in a dystopian future where humanity lives in a giant underground silo, this gripping sci-fi series follows engineer Juliette (Rebecca Ferguson) as she uncovers disturbing truths about her society.
Season 2 builds on the tension, introducing new characters and expanding the world and watch out for a brilliant supporting performance from Steve Zahn as the enigmatic and troubled Solo.
4. Prime Target
This Apple TV+ thriller centres on Leo Woodall's Edward Brooks, a mathematician who discovers a pattern in prime numbers that could unlock global digital systems.
Expect a high-stakes drama that will keep you intrigued - and test your knowledge of prime numbers. All together now – 2, 3, 5, 7, 11...
5. Dark Matter
Based on Blake Crouch’s novel, this sci-fi thriller follows Jason Dessen (Joel Edgerton), a physicist abducted into an alternate version of his life. The series explores identity, love, and the multiverse with emotional intensity and complex plotting.
Edgerton and Jennifer Connelly deliver standout performances in a show that is both thrilling and deeply romantic. Well worth a watch.
6. Masters of the Air
An epic WWII drama from Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, Masters of the Air tells the story of the 100th Bomb Group, known for their high casualty rates.
Starring Austin Butler and Callum Turner, the series features breathtaking aerial combat scenes and emotional depth. It's a worthy successor to Band of Brothers, with a five-star rating for its storytelling and production values.
7. Manhunt
This historical drama chronicles the aftermath of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination and the pursuit of John Wilkes Booth. Tobias Menzies stars as Edwin Stanton, the Secretary of War, in a slow-burning but emotionally resonant series.
It's garnered praise for its meticulous attention to historical detail, strong performances, and an ability to humanise complex figures from history.
8. Shrinking
A therapy-based comedy starring Jason Segel and Harrison Ford, Shrinking follows a grieving therapist who starts breaking rules with his clients. Season 2 expands the ensemble and focuses on forgiveness, with standout performances from Jessica Williams, Lukita Maxwell, and Michael Urie.
Very funny and surprisingly heartfelt, this is everyone operating at the peak of their powers.
9. Bad Sisters
This dark comedy follows five sisters as they plot to rid themselves of their toxic brother-in-law. With sharp writing and a strong ensemble cast, it manages to blend mystery and humour effortlessly.
It won Best Drama at the 2023 British Academy Television Awards, with Anne-Marie Duff picking up Best Supporting Actress for her excellent turn as Grace.
10. Time Bandits
A family-friendly adventure series co-created by Taika Waititi, Time Bandits follows a group of time-travelling thieves and an 11-year-old history enthusiast, Kevin.
Each episode explores different historical periods in a whimsical tone and Lisa Kudrow leads the cast with charm – all in all, it's a worthy successor to the classic 1981 film.
11. Sunny
This sci-fi mystery stars Rashida Jones as Suzie, a woman who teams up with a domestic robot to investigate her family’s disappearance. Set in a near-future Japan, Sunny blends dark comedy, emotional storytelling, and social commentary on AI.
In a competitive field, it's been hailed by fans as a standout in Apple’s sci-fi offerings.
12. Before
Billy Crystal stars in this haunting thriller as Eli, a psychiatrist dealing with grief and a mysterious child who may have a supernatural connection to his past.
The show is perhaps most noteworthy for Crystal’s career-redefining performance, making it a compelling watch both for fans of psychological drama and for anyone who's admired the actor's comedy work over the decades.
13. Presumed Innocent
Jake Gyllenhaal stars in this legal thriller as Rusty Sabich, a prosecutor accused of murdering his colleague and former lover. Based on the novel by Scott Turow, the series explores themes of guilt, power, and truth.
Gyllenhaal’s performance is, as ever, stellar, with the drama of the courtroom alongside the character study making it a gripping watch.
14. Slow Horses
A spy thriller with a comedic edge, Slow Horses follows a group of disgraced MI5 agents led by the slovenly but brilliant Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman). Season 4 continues the show's streak of excellence, with tightly plotted intrigue, strong character development, and a perfect balance of humour and suspense.
With excellent performances from the likes of Jack Lowden, Rosalind Eleazar and Kristin Scott Thomas, it's Oldman who steals the show in what might arguably be his greatest character to date.
15. Criminal Record
This police thriller stars Cush Jumbo and Peter Capaldi as detectives on opposite sides of a reopened murder case, exploring generational divides in policing and the legacy of institutional corruption.
Critics praised the lead performances and the show’s nuanced handling of social issues, calling it a gripping and timely drama.
16. The Studio
Ripping fun at the Hollywood film industry seems like quite an unexpectedly meta thing for an Apple TV+ comedy to do, but with a long line of starry cameos and hilarious mishaps, The Studio has come out on top as one of the streamer's shiniest comedic gems.
As a newly appointed studio head, Seth Rogen's Matt Remick must balance his own dedication and love of film with the wants and wishes of everyone around him, resulting in a juggling act of hilarious proportions that will leave you easily binge-watching the series in one go.
17. Dope Thief
Brian Tyree Henry and Wagner Moura star in this thriller from executive producer and director Ridley Scott, about two friends living in Philadelphia who find themselves on the run, after a scam in which they pose as DEA agents to rob drug dealers goes awry.
Intense and comic in equal measure, the series lags a little in the middle but really comes into its own towards the end. Regardless, Henry and Moura are both exceptional throughout.
18. Ted Lasso
Ted Lasso was one of Apple TV+'s first breakout series, with Jason Sudeikis taking on the charming and eternally optimistic Ted Lasso - an American football coach who is hired to manage AFC Richmond.
While it seems like a feat that won't be accomplished, the team prove naysayers wrong. With a top-notch cast and loveable characters no one could forget, Ted Lasso is a must-watch, with a fourth season on the way. - Katelyn Mensah
Check out more of our Comedy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to see what's on tonight. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
