10 best Apple TV+ original shows, ranked

Since its first series launched in 2019, Apple TV+ has quietly churned out some high-quality original shows that span many genres. While it may not have the sheer volume of content as some of its streaming competitors, Apple’s approach is all about quality over quantity. It has built a reputation for sleek production values and genuinely unique storytelling, resulting in critically acclaimed shows that keep viewers coming back for more.

From Severance to Ted Lasso, the streamer has proven its ability to produce one-of-a-kind series that are reaching audiences around the globe. Its growing catalog includes psychological thrillers, feel-good comedies, crime dramas, and more, with most being hits rather than misses. Apple TV+ isn’t just filling a content library with haphazardly created generic shows — it’s curating must-see series that continue to establish it as a reliable source of entertainment. Many other well-crafted shows — Morning Show, Dark Matter, Little America, and more — don’t make this list, a testament to the platform’s several offerings. For those wondering where to start, these are the best Apple TV+ originals that deserve a spot at the top of any viewer’s watchlist.

10. Foundation (2021–)

An ambitious adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s seminal sci-fi saga, Foundation imagines a distant future where the once mighty Galactic Empire teeters on the brink of collapse. This is further reinforced by the predictions of Hari Seldon (Jared Harris), a brilliant mathematician who develops psychohistory—a science that accurately predicts societal downfall. To prevent the inevitable dark age, Seldon established the Foundation, a group tasked with preserving knowledge and guiding humanity toward a renaissance. Meanwhile, the ruling Cleons, a line of cloned emperors (all played in different eras by Lee Pace, Terrence Mann, and Cassian Bilton), cling to power as they face new threats.

Foundation immediately draws audiences in with its immersive world, made believable by breathtaking production values. The dazzling spectacle sometimes isn’t enough to distract from pacing issues, with the show’s non-linear storytelling requiring patience. For those who stick around, Foundation rewards fans with an interstellar epic that offers political intrigue and bold mysteries that have helped cement its spot as one of the most promising sci-fi series streaming right now.

Stream Foundation on Apple TV+.

9. Black Bird (2022)

Black Bird is a true crime miniseries based on a chilling true story. It follows a recently incarcerated drug dealer, Jimmy Keene (Taron Egerton), who is sentenced to ten years in prison. Jimmy gets a rare chance at early release when he’s offered a difficult task: transfer to a maximum-security facility for the criminally insane and befriend suspected serial killer Larry Hall (Paul Walter Hauser) to extract a confession about his victims. He soon finds himself in a dangerous game as he pretends to be a hardened criminal to get close to Hall.

Black Bird is a superbly acted series that relies heavily on the hair-raising interactions between Egerton and Hauser, who are impeccably cast for their roles. Both a psychological chess game and an intense character study, the 2022 show is a taut thriller that raises the stakes with each new episode. With a claustrophobic setting, there’s no escaping the terrifying truths that come from the main characters’ conversations, reminding audiences that truth is often stranger than fiction.

Stream Black Bird on Apple TV+.

8. Mythic Quest (2020–)

A workplace comedy and modern sitcom, Mythic Quest is a show about gaming, specifically the chaotic industry responsible for creating massive hits. It revolves around the dysfunctional team behind the titular fictional blockbuster MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing game), led by the egotistical creative director Ian Grimm (McElhenney) and lead engineer Poppy Li (Charlotte Nicdao). The odd duo clash often, with Poppy’s technical genius being a mismatch with Ian’s grandiose visions. Alongside the two main characters are a cast of quirky and delightfully petty developers.

Mythic Quest skewers the gaming industry with laugh-out-loud satire. It lampoons aspects like crunch culture and tech-world egos, probing at a subject not often explored on the small screen. The 2020 series also refuses to reset to a status quo, instead propelling its characters’ arcs forward and encouraging fans to get hooked on their storylines. The comedic series can be surprisingly dark and emotional, with some standout episodes tackling topics like isolation during the pandemic and the consequences of burnout.

Stream Mythic Quest on Apple TV+.

7. For All Mankind (2019–)

For All Mankind starts with a fascinating alternate history premise: the Soviet Union lands on the Moon before the United States. This one difference pushes NASA into an extended competition, with its space program accelerating far beyond its real-world counterpart. Soon, lunar bases are established, Mars missions are launched, and other technological advancements reshape global politics. Its ensemble cast includes the astronaut Ed Baldwin (Joel Kinnaman), his wife Karen (Shantel VanSanten), the engineer Margo Madison (Wrenn Schmidt), and more. Each season shows the changes with every decade, following new generations that contribute to NASA’s ever-growing ambitions.

The 2019 series is a fantastic example of speculative fiction done right. It weaves real-life figures and events into its story, making its timeline feel eerily plausible. For All Mankind‘s time jumps also keep the story fresh, ensuring that fans are excited for what each new season brings. The show’s “what if” scenario and thrilling space drama have helped turn it into Apple TV+’s long-running sci-fi series.

Stream For All Mankind on Apple TV+.

6. Silo (2023–)

Based on Hugh Howey’s Wool novels, Silo is a dystopian thriller set in a world where the last remnants of humanity live in the titular structure. Within the massive silo, the residents abide by strict rules that are supposedly in place to protect them from a toxic outside environment. After a shocking discovery by Sheriff Holston (David Oyelowo), the brilliant engineer Juliette Nichols (Rebecca Ferguson) begins to discover a dangerous truth about their situation. Soon, more people within the silo learn bits and pieces of the structure’s hidden history, leading to widespread unrest.

Silo takes its time and delivers an edge-of-your-seat slow-burn story that presents more questions than answers. Rebecca Ferguson is magnetic as the fierce and intelligent Juliette, whose role as a reluctant hero gives audiences someone to root for. Silo features other compelling characters, whose stories unfold as the series carefully peels back its mystery, dropping breadcrumbs that keep viewers hooked without revealing too much too soon. Silo‘s distinct world-building and tense storytelling have helped turn it into one of the most compelling sci-fi dramas in recent years.

Stream Silo on Apple TV+.

5. Slow Horses (2022–)

Gary Oldman stars as the sharp-tongued and slovenly Jackson Lamb in Slow Horses, where the once-great spy leads disgraced MI5 agents who make up the Slough House. Here, the team—which includes River Cartwright (Jack Lowden), Sid Baker (Olivia Cooke), and Catherine Standish (Saskia Reeves)—is assigned tedious, dead-end tasks as punishment for their past failures. Everything changes when a kidnapping plot threatens national security and the so-called “slow horses” unexpectedly experience real spy work. The misfits strive to prove that MI5’s rejects are actually useful assets, even as ulterior motives threaten their lives and positions.

Slow Horses is a refreshing take on the espionage genre, with its irreverent approach seen in bold comparisons between the slick world of MI5’s Regent’s Park and the dingy nightmare of Slough House. The action sequences are usually grounded and tense, favoring gritty realism over glossy spectacles. The show’s greatest asset is its core group, with the character-driven spy thriller relying on its dynamics and the spies’ transformative arcs to keep viewers excited for each new episode.

Stream Slow Horses on Apple TV+.

4. Pachinko (2022–)

Pachinko is a breathtaking multigenerational saga that begins in Japanese-occupied Korea in the early 1900s, where a young Sunja (Minha Kim) is determined to create a good life despite her struggles as an immigrant. This tale is interwoven with stories from her future, where she is a matriarch (played by Youn Yuh-jung) whose grandson Solomon (Jin Ha) faces challenges as a businessman in 1980s Tokyo. At the heart of the drama is an ill-fated romance between Sunja and the wealthy Koh Hansu (Lee Min-ho), whose decisions change her fate forever.

Despite its sweeping narrative complemented by gorgeous cinematography, Pachinko‘s strength is in its wonderfully intimate storytelling. Each episode is a visual and emotional feast, with the dreamlike aesthetic only enhancing the show’s profound and deeply human moments. The Apple TV+ series is a masterpiece of prestige television, telling a tragic yet hopeful story about those who dare to carve out a life against all odds. With every season, Pachinko proves to be one of the best dramas of the 2020s that deserves more attention.

Stream Pachinko on Apple TV+.

3. Shrinking (2023–)

When his wife dies, the therapist, Jimmy Laird (Jason Segel,) struggles to cope and is particularly disturbed by his inability to connect with his teenage daughter Alice (Lukita Maxwell) in Shrinking. Overwhelmed by grief, he reaches a breaking point and starts giving his patients unfiltered, brutally honest advice — abandoning the careful neutrality expected in his profession. This unconventional approach has varying effects on his vulnerable patients, which doesn’t escape the attention of Jimmy’s mentor, the legendary Dr. Paul Rhoades (Harrison Ford). Throw in his no-nonsense colleague Gaby (Jessica Williams) and his over-involved neighbor Liz (Christa Miller), and Jimmy finds himself leaning on an unexpected support system.

Shrinking soars thanks to the pleasantly surprising chemistry between Segel’s and Ford’s characters. Segel brings his signature awkward humor and charm, which pairs flawlessly with Ford’s dry wit and well-timed moments of warmth. The duo becomes the center of the series, which is persistent in its humorous optimism while never losing its emotional perspective on the unpredictable nature of grief. Shrinking is a joyously funny and often satisfyingly cathartic show that reminds viewers that healing is rarely straightforward, but it’s always better with good company.

Stream Shrinking on Apple TV+.

2. Ted Lasso (2020–2023)

Ted Lasso is a sports drama that transcends its genre by becoming a feel-good, life-affirming cultural phenomenon. It follows the almost annoyingly optimistic Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis), an American college football coach unexpectedly hired to manage AFC Richmond, a struggling English soccer team. Though initially dismissed and ridiculed as an incompetent joke, Ted’s unwavering positivity and genuine care for his players transform the club from the inside out. He soon earns the respect of those around him, including the captain Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein), assistant Coach Beard (Brendan Hunt), and more.

Sudeikis delivers a career-defining performance as the titular character, with the actor imbuing Ted Lasso with a believable drive that helps him avoid being just a one-dimensional cartoonish optimist. It may start out with familiar tropes, but the Apple TV+ series reveals a more complex layer by offering some of the small screen’s most incredible character arcs through fan favorites like Nate Shelley (Nick Mohammed) and Rebecca Welton (Hannah Waddingham). Ted Lasso is both hilarious and inspiring through and through, securing its spot as one of the streamer’s greatest series.

Stream Ted Lasso on Apple TV+.

1. Severance (2022–)

In the spine-chilling world of Severance, a shadowy corporation has pioneered the titular procedure, which promises work-life balance for employees. The catch? The controversial operation surgically divides work and personal memories, ensuring that “innies,” employees within the corporate offices, and “outies,” their outside persona, have no way of knowing about the other’s experiences. This is the reality that the grieving Mark Scout (Adam Scott) lives in, with his “innie” creating a life within the office alongside colleagues like Dylan (Zach Cherry), Irving (John Turturro), and Helly (Britt Lower). When odd occurrences raise questions, they contend with their corporate trap and Lumon higher-ups to find answers.

Severance struck a chord among viewers because of its effective corporate satire. Its sterile office spaces and retro-futuristic aesthetic create an unsettling atmosphere, making the familiar workplace feel both absurdly mundane and terrifyingly inescapable. It’s a thrilling mystery that has fans puzzling over every tiny detail with each new episode. Undoubtedly Apple TV+’s most original and disturbing series, Severance asks: Is ignorance truly bliss, or is self-awareness worth the suffering it brings?

Stream Severance on Apple TV+.