Launched in November 2019, Apple TV Plus has grown into a competitive streaming service that offers exclusive access to original TV and movie content such as the Emmy Award winning sports comedy Ted Lasso and the Best Picture Oscar winner Coda.
With entertainment luminaries such as Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey, and Martin Scorsese bringing their talents to the Apple TV Plus platform, there is no shortage of original programming available from one of the latest and most popular streaming services on offer.
The Big Door Prize
Starring: Chris O’Dowd, Gabrielle Dennis, Josh Segarra
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Science Fiction
Released: 2023
Seasons: 1
Sci-fi comedy series The Big Door Prize stars Chris O’Dowd as a seemingly content teacher who lives in a small town that is forever changed when a mysterious machine appears in the general store, promising to reveal each resident’s true life potential.
Based on M.O. Walsh’s novel of the same name, The Big Door Prize has received strong reviews since its late March premiere thanks to its charming characters, as well as its ability to take a high concept premise and create a grounded comedic drama.
Black Bird
Starring: Taron Egerton, Paul Walter Hauser, Greg Kinnear
Genre: Biography, Crime, Thriller
Released: 2002
Seasons: 1
True-crime miniseries Black Bird stars Taron Egerton as James “Jimmy” Keene Jr., a promising young American football star who instead turned to a life of crime and faced 10 years in prison for drug dealing and illegal gun possession. To receive a fully commuted sentence, Jimmy has to befriend imprisoned serial killer Laurence “Larry” Hall (Paul Walter Hauser) and convince him to confess to his grizzly crimes.
Developed and written by Mystic River author Dennis Lehane, Black Bird is an exceptional character driven crime thriller that features fantastic performances from Taron Egerton and especially Paul Walter Hauser who has won numerous awards for his chilling turn as a manipulative serial killer.
Defending Jacob
Starring: Chris Evans, Michelle Dockery, Jaeden Martell
Genre: Crime, Drama
Released: 2020
Seasons: 1
Defending Jacob stars Chris Evans as Andy Barber, a respected district attorney in Massachusetts whose world is turned upside down when his 14-year-old son Jacob (Jaeden Martell) is accused of murdering his classmate.
Based on William Landay’s bestselling book of the same name, Defending Jacob has garnered acclaim thanks to the outstanding performances of Evans, Martell, and Michelle Dockery who plays the mother of the murder accused. A slow burn crime drama that will keep you guessing until the end, there is a reason why Defending Jacob is one of the most watched shows on Apple TV Plus.
Hello Tomorrow!
Starring: Billy Crudup, Hank Azaria, Jacki Weaver
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Science Fiction
Released: 2023
Seasons: 1
Set in a retro-futuristic world, Hello Tomorrow! tells the story of huckster salesman Jack Billings (Billy Crudup) who travels from town to town selling non-existent properties on the Moon. When Jack discovers his long-lost son Joey (Nicholas Podany), he decides to stop running and reconnect with his son while trying to keep his crooked business afloat.
With its visually striking production design creating a 1950s inspired sci-fi future, Hello Tomorrow! is just as potent as a character driven dramedy that is propelled by the performances of its stellar cast, especially the forever underrated Billy Crudup who plays the role of a conflicted conman with equal parts heartbreak and captivating charisma.
Long Way Up
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Charley Boorman
Genre: Documentary
Released: 2020
Seasons: 1
The latest series in the adventures of motorbike loving best friends Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman, Long Way Up features the pair travelling over 20,000 km from Argentina through South and Central America to Los Angeles in the United States and doing so on electric motorcycles.
Much like their previous journeys on Long Way Round and Long Way Down, the charming personalities and camaraderie between McGregor and Boorman elevate this travel series over others of its ilk. The interactions with varied communities from different cultures speaks to their down-to-earth nature, while the scenery captured throughout their journey is breathtaking.
Morning Wars
Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Steve Carell
Genre: Drama
Released: 2019
Seasons: 2
Morning Wars (known as The Morning Show in the US) stars Jenifer Anniston as Alex Levy, the co-anchor of a popular morning news program who is left to fend for herself in a cut-throat industry after her on-air partner of 15 years Mitch Kessler (Steve Carell) is fired for sexual misconduct. Groomed to take over the show is flash young reporter Bradley Jackson (Reese Witherspoon.)
With its cast of top-tier stars tackling topical issues, Morning Wars has quickly become one of the most watched shows on Apple TV, with the performances by Jennifer Aniston and Billy Crudup (who plays a ruthless network executive) winning numerous awards. A third season of Morning Wars was announced earlier this year, with Jon Hamm set to join the cast as a corporate titan.
The Mosquito Coast
Starring: Justin Theroux, Melissa George, Logan Polish
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Released: 2021
Seasons: 2
The Mosquito Coast stars Justin Theroux as Allie Fox, a radical idealist and brilliant inventor who lives off the grid with his wife Margot (Melissa George) and their children. When the US government tries to catch them, Allie uproots his family and embarks on a dangerous journey through Mexico.
Based on the 1981 novel written by Paul Theroux (the uncle of Justin), The Mosquito Coast proves to be a suspense driven thriller that is led by Justin Theroux’s incredible performance as a family man disillusioned with the American dream, while often placing he and his family in dangerous situations during his search for a utopia that may never be found.
Mythic Quest
Starring: Rob McElhenney, Ashly Burch, F. Murray Abraham
Genre: Comedy
Released: 2020
Seasons: 3
The work comedy takes on the gaming industry in Mythic Quest. Rob McElhenney stars as Ian (pronounced “Eye-In”) Grimm, the creative director of the popular multi-player online role-playing game Mythic Quest, who along with his eccentric staff struggles to keep his game on-top.
Created by It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia stars McElhenney and Charlie Day, Mythic Quest succeeds as a send-up of the gaming industry with smart writing, strong sense of humour, and a sentimental heart. Also starring Community actor Danny Pudi and Oscar winner F. Murray Abraham, Mythic Quest has gone from strength to strength with every passing season.
Physical
Starring: Rose Byrne, Rory Scovel, Paul Sparks
Genre: Comedy Drama
Released: 2021
Seasons: 2
The 1980s set dramatic comedy Physical stars Rose Byrne as Sheila Rubin, a housewife unsatisfied with her station in life who embarks on a journey of self-discovery through aerobics, becoming a successful entrepreneur in the process while dealing with dark secrets that could derail her ascent to stardom.
With the always excellent Rose Byrne as the lead, Physical turns up the heat in a smart and entertaining dark comedy that pulls no punches in its portrayal of an ambitious yet compromised businesswoman who gives and good as she gets in the male-dominated 80s.
The Reluctant Traveller
Starring: Eugene Levy
Genre: Documentary, Comedy
Released: 2023
Seasons: 1
Travel-documentary show The Reluctant Traveller features Shnitt’s Creek star Eugene Levy as our guide to the world’s most remarkable hotels, while also exploring the people, places, and cultures in his own peculiar way.
Self-described as a “great indoors kinda guy”, Levy delivers that perfect fish-out-of-water experience that leads to comedy gold, as he travels the world visiting places that he has spent his whole life avoiding. Yet by allowing himself to experience these remarkable locations ranging from Costa Rica, Japan, and the Maldives, Levy – and by proxy we the audience – are exposed to a wonderous world and its people.
See
Starring: Jason Momoa, Sylvia Hoeks, Dave Bautista
Genre: Action, Science Fiction, Thriller
Released: 2019
Seasons: 3
Set in a dystopian future hundreds of years after mankind has lost the ability to see, the suitably titled See stars Jason Momoa as Baba Voss, a feared warrior and father whose twin children are born with the ability to see, drawing the ire of the ruthless Queen Sibeth Kane (Sylvia Hoeks.)
Created by Steven Knight (who also gave us Peaky Blinders and Taboo), See delivers a gritty and violent post-apocalypse action thriller that only gets better with every season. Jason Momoa delivers perhaps his best performance so far as a father and tribal leader who must protect his people from dark forces, while the series’ blend of Mad Max visuals, Game of Thrones politics, and samurai movie aesthetics creates a unique worldbuilding experience.
Severance
Starring: Adam Scott, Patricia Arquette, Christopher Walken
Genre: Mystery, Science Fiction, Thriller
Released: 2022
Seasons: 1
Co-directed by Ben Stiller, the sci-fi mystery Severance stars Adam Scott as Mark, an office worker for biotechnology corporation Lumon Industries who consents to a radical mindwipe procedure that separates his consciousness between his work and personal life.
Also starring Patricia Arquette, Christopher Walken, and John Turturro, Severance is a bold and thought-provoking series that allows high concept storytelling and character development to grow simultaneously, while also delving into themes of morality and free will set within an absorbing work culture. Highly acclaimed by critics and winning numerous awards, Severance has been renewed for a second season.
Shrinking
Starring: Jason Segel, Harrison Ford, Christa Miller
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Released: 2023
Seasons: 1
From the mind of Ted Lasso creator Bill Lawrence and star Brett Goldstein is Shrinking, a dramatic comedy that stars Jason Segel as Jimmy Laird, a grieving psychologist who crosses ethical lines when he tells his patients what he really feels. Harrison Ford co-stars as Paul Rhoades, a senior psychologist with Parkinson’s disease who is also a mentor to Jimmy.
A witty and entertaining show that brings light to dark themes such as death and grieving, Shrinking is further enriched by the charismatic performances from Jason Segel and especially Harrison Ford who is given the rare opportunity to flex his comedic muscles in a gravitas filled turn.
Slow Horses
Starring: Gary Oldman, Kristen Scott Thomas, Jonathan Pryce
Genre: Crime, Thriller
Released: 2022
Seasons: 2
Based on the critically acclaimed Slough House novels written by Mick Herron, Slow Horses tells the story of a group of disgraced MI5 agents who are sent to the Slough House division, an administrative purgatory in which they must endure dull office assignments under the watch of their miserable boss Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman.)
An addictive spy thriller that features Oldman in one of his best performances as a frumpy, regularly inebriated yet capable MI5 agent, Slow Horses quickly hits its stride with its engrossing blend of dark humour, dense mystery, and tense action-packed thrills. A killer cast that includes Jack Lowden, Olivia Cook, and Kristen Scott Thomas all deliver strong performances, complimenting Oldman who has publicly stated that he will retire from acting after the Slow Horses series is completed.
Ted Lasso
Starring: Jason Sudeikis, Brett Goldstein, Hannah Waddingham
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Sport
Released: 2020
Seasons: 3
Uplifting sports comedy-drama Ted Lasso stars Jason Sudeikis in the title role of an American college football coach who is recruited to coach the (fictional) English Premier League soccer team, AFC Richmond. With his optimistic personality and unabashed belief in the power of community to create positive change, Ted wins over his sceptical team and their passionate fans.
With its perfect blend of heartfelt dramatics, witty writing, and charming performances, Ted Lasso has proven to be a resounding success for Apple TV, with the series a pop culture phenom thanks in part to the award-winning performances by Jason Sudeikis, Brett Goldstein, and Hannah Waddingham.
The post 15 Best Apple TV Plus Shows In Australia | April 2023 appeared first on DMARGE.
0 Commentaires