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As fans gear up for an entire weekend of free Apple TV Plus shows and movies, here are the highly-rated hits you should be bingeing.
Apple TV Plus has promised an entire weekend (January 4 and 5) for curious viewers to delve into its wide-spanning, acclaimed catalogue without the usual £8.99 a month charge.
The streaming platform is known for its high-budget, A-List casts packed with thrilling plots and top-tier comedy – with a show for any mood.
Whether you are looking for a trippy sci-fi series like Severance, a long-running drama like The Morning Show or a heart-pounding thriller like Gary Oldman’s Slow Horses, there’s no shortage.
You can laugh until you cry with Bad Sisters or be pulled to the edge of your seat with Idris Elba’s race against time in Hijack.
But for those looking for yet more suggestions to dig your teeth into, look no further. Here are seven Apple TV Plus TV shows you simply don’t want to miss.
Shrinking
Harrison Ford and Jason Segel impress in this Apple TV Plus comedy (Picture: Beth Dubber/ Apple TV)
This witty, at times heartwrenching, comedy follows a chaotic therapist Jimmy Laird (Jason Segel) and his colleagues Gaby (Jessica Williams) and Paul (Harrison Ford).
As Jimmy tries to piece his world back together following an unexpected tragedy, he finds himself caught up in one mess after another as he tries to transform his and his patients’ lives for the better.
Not only does this tongue-in-cheek comedy have two seasons and 22 delightful episodes for you to get lost in (with a third on the way), but it also has a gorgeous 94% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Pachinko
Pachinko landed 100% on Rotten Tomatoes for its second season (Picture: Apple TV+)
In the mood for a hard-hitting drama instead? You’re in luck!
Apple TV Plus’ adaptation of the bestselling historical epic Pachinko spans several decades in the 20th century as one Korean family immigrates to Japan to untold consequences.
In particular, we follow the perspective of matriarch Sunja (portrayed by Minha Kim and Oscar winner Yuh-Jung Youn) who must survive in the backdrop of political turbulence and interpersonal troubles that rock her entire world.
The two powerful seasons – each eight episodes long – have been praised as ‘exquisite’ and one of the ‘greatest modern shows’, securing it a neat 98% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Dickinson
Hailee Steinfeld is a delight in Dickinson (Picture: Apple TV+/Jody Cortes)
Dickinson, from showrunner Alena Smith, is the perfect watch for history lovers looking for a fresh and unique way into the life of famed US poet Emily Dickinson.
Hailee Steinfeld packs a comedic punch with this quirky, original look at the historic figure’s life, modernising her language and poking fun at the absurdity of the time’s conventions.
And for those looking for an LGBTQ+ TV recommendation, this will give you all the sapphic vibes you are looking for… and then some more. No wonder it hit 92% on Rotten Tomatoes.
All three seasons are already out so two days is plenty of time to knock this one out of the park.
Schmigadoon!
There’s no shortage of fabulous guest stars in Schmigadoon! (Picture: Apple TV+)
For musical theatre lovers, Schmigadoon! is an absolute must-watch.
This musical comedy, created by Ken Daurio and Cinco Paul, follows a backpacking couple who stumble across a town where everyone acts as though they are living in a musical. Naturally, chaos ensues.
It is a delightful romp jam-packed with whimsical plots, powerhouse vocals and brilliant guest stars such as Dove Cameron, Kristen Chenoweth, Ariana DeBose and Aaron Tveit. Need we go on?
The Emmy-winning show (consisting of two six-episode seasons) has been described as ‘absurd’, ‘genius’ and a ‘love letter to Broadway’, landing it a tidy 92% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Silo
Silo is so good it’s already been renewed for a third and fourth season (Picture: Apple TV+/PA Wire)
If there’s one thing Apple TV+ loves, it’s a sci-fi show. There are plenty to choose from including Silo.
This eerie dystopian drama follows a community living in a massive underground bunker, known as the eponymous Silo, who have no knowledge of their past – only that they must escape the toxic air.
The show is based on the popular Wool novel trilogy by Hugh Howey. When engineer Juliette (Rebecca Fergurson) is tasked with unravelling the truth behind the death of a colleague, she uncovers far more than she ever bargained for.
There are two, ten-episode, seasons to discover with the backing of an impressive 92% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Buccaneers
The Buccaneers has all the ingredients for the perfect period drama (Picture: Apple TV+/Wattie Cheung)
If you loved Bridgerton, then watching The Buccaneers is an absolute no-brainer.
The 19th-century period drama (based on Edith Wharton’s 1938 book) follows a delightful group of five nouveau-riche American girls sent to find husbands during the London season – and the various shenanigans they get up to in their pursuit of love.
There’s a healthy dose of scandal, forbidden love and beautiful friendship along the way, of course.
Audiences have quickly fallen in love with this eccentric cast of characters (played by Hollywood rising stars such as Matthew Broome), securing it a second season with Leighton Meester.
For All Mankind
This ‘what if?’ sci-fi political drama will have you on the edge of your seat (Picture: Apple TV+)
Rounding off with another sci-fi recommendation, this time we have the political thriller – For All Mankind.
The show imagines a world in which the Soviet Union beats America to the moon and uncovers the consequences it has for the US in the global landscape.
Decades on, the space race still rages as Nasa astronauts (and their families) are put into high-stakes situations in the pursuit of dominance – no matter the cost.
There are already four seasons of this highly-rated show, so there’ll be no time to waste.
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