There was a time when HBO ruled television. For years, prestige television belonged to HBO. It dominated the Emmys and shaped the cultural conversation along with The Sopranos, The Wire, Succession, Game of Thrones, and other series. Every major streamer attempted to replicate its success, yet few managed to come close. Then the Apple TV arrived and the balance slowly began to change.
Today, Apple has taken the lead. Its shows are not only stunning to look at – they’re fresh, bold and surprisingly human. The streamer has quietly built an empire of inventive storytelling that rivals HBO’s golden age.
If you’re wondering what to queue up next, here are five Apple TV series that prove the platform has become the new standard for quality television.
1. Slow horses
If The Office had a version of MI5, it would look like this. Slow Horses is the story of agents rejected by British intelligence who are left in Slow House after spectacular career failures. Led by the brilliantly grumpy Gary Oldman, the series blends dry British humor with the rigor of a spy thriller. It’s messy, fast, and surprisingly heartwarming.
Also read: Inside Apple TV’s Pluribus: The Joining explained and why a handful of humans are immune
2. Foundation
The Foundation boldly presents Isaac Asimov’s iconic science-fiction saga. Jared Harris plays Hari Seldon, a mathematician who was exiled for predicting the fall of the Galactic Empire. It’s heavy stuff – vast empires, ideas about timelines and destinies – but worth the ride. Between Lee Pace’s impressive performance and the galaxy-shaped visuals inspired by the James Webb Telescope, this is Apple’s grand space opera.
3. severance
This show is awesome, addicting, and extremely relatable. In Severance, Adam Scott plays a man who literally separates his work life from his personal life – thanks to a creepy corporate brain process. When her two worlds begin to blur, things go awry fast. Each episode builds tension with surgical precision, making it one of the most original shows on TV right now.
4. more
Vince Gilligan returns with Pluribus, a very clever blend of sci-fi and social satire. Rhea Seehorn plays Carol Sturka, a romance novelist trapped in a world where an alien virus has unleashed anger, grief, and conflict. On paper it’s paradise, but in reality it’s quietly terrifying.
Also Read: Apple TV’s Pluribus gets a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Here’s when you can watch episode 3
5. Studio
Seth Rogen stars in the show as a Hollywood executive trying to keep a collapsing studio alive. The studio is fast, chaotic, and super fun. Think The Office meets Entourage, with Catherine O’Hara stealing every scene she’s in. The satire of the industry feels uncomfortably close to home – which makes it even better.
questions to ask
Who are the stars in the studio?
Seth Rogen stars in The Studio.
How many episodes of Pluribus are there?
The first season of Pluribus consists of nine episodes.
Is Gary Oldman a part of Apple TV’s Slow Horses?
Yes, he plays Jackson Lamb, a disgraced and angry MI5 agent.
