With their iPhones, iPods, iPads, watches, TVs, and other name-brand electronics, it’s easy to say that Apple has been trying to take over the world, at least when it comes to gadgets and gizmos. However, while Apple may be one of the top leaders in electronics, they still have a ways to go in the world of online streaming sites, at least to compete with powerhouses like Netflix and Hulu.
Apple TV+ is an unusual streaming site unlike any other. That’s because Apple TV pretty much only has original shows and movies, and doesn’t offer many other titles (except for rental or purchase). Although, while the streaming platform has less content to choose from than other online streaming sites, Apple TV+ does have many hidden gems, both in movies and tv shows. Here are all the great Apple TV+ shows you didn’t even know existed.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
Dr. Brain
Apple TV+
The truth lies in the brain. Sewon, a brilliant neurologist, is lost and confused after a mysterious accident happens to his wife and son. He believes that he can figure out what happened by performing “brain syncs” which sync his mind with the deceased to search for clues. However, as time goes on, those memories from the deceased become intertwined with his own experience and Sewon soon finds himself struggling to separate what’s real and what’s fiction. Dr. Brain is the first Korean show made for Apple TV+ and is full of complex twists and turns.
Defending Jacob
Defending Jacob is a TV miniseries that is based on the 2012 New York Times bestselling novel of the same name by American novelist William Landay. After one of his son’s classmates is found dead, assistant district attorney Andy Barber (played by Chris Evans) naturally doesn’t suspect his 14-year-old son Jacob (Jaeden Martell).
However, after he begins to piece things together, he begins to doubt the innocence of Jacob, who Andy believes knows more than he is letting on. Now, Andy is torn between his sworn duty to uphold the law and his unconditional love for his son who has a strong motive and a weak explanation.
Home Before Dark
Meet 9-year-old Hilde Lisko, an investigative journalist who moves with her family back to her father’s hometown. There, she discovers a cold case crime that’s never been solved. What happened to the mayor’s son and her father’s former best friend back in 1988? Eager to learn the truth, she begins her own search as to what really happened that fateful night. Can Hilde discover the clues, unravel the mystery, and be home before bedtime? Find out in the mystery drama series, Home Before Dark.
Foundation
“Change is frightening. Especially to those in power.” The Apple TV+ original series Foundation is loosely based on the award-winning science fiction series by author Isaac Asimov. The show tells the story of a group of exiles who learn that the only way they can hope to save the Galactic Empire from mass destruction is to break all the rules put in place by those in power. Foundation has officially been renewed for a second season but has yet to announce a premiere date.
Severance
Okay, this one got more acclaim and attention than practically any other Apple TV+ show, but it needs to be included here just in case someone has missed out on the brilliance of Severance. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could separate your work life from your personal life and have a better work-life balance? Just imagine if you had two mindsets, one for work and one for your personal life. You would never have to deal with personal problems at work or worry about work at home again. Sounds a little too good to be true, doesn’t it? In the science fiction psychological thriller Severance, everything is not what it seems, as Mark (Adam Scott) is about to find out the hard way.
The Afterparty
The Afterparty is a murder mystery comedy that follows the mystery behind the death of pop star icon Xavier (Dave Franco) after one fun, crazy, and deadly high school reunion afterparty. Now Detective Danner (Tiffany Haddish) arrives at the crime scene to piece the jumbled story together, hoping to figure out what exactly happened.
In this millennial whodunit-style series, everyone is a suspect and each episode is told from the perspective of the character being interrogated. This show (with a wonderful ensemble cast, including a great Ben Schwart) will have you laughing, but suspicious of the true version of events until the very end.
Servant
From the director that took the world by storm with his groundbreaking film, The Sixth Sense, comes M. Night Shyamalan’s newest project, Servant. In this psychological horror series, Sean Turner will do anything to help his grieving wife, Dorothy, overcome her pain and guilt over the death of their 13-week-old son, Jericho. The Turner’s hire a nanny to care for a doll version of Jericho, one that Dorothy believes is actually alive. However, their new nanny Leanne has dark secrets of her own, secrets that can only be kept hidden for so long. The harrowing Servant has three seasons so far, and will hopefully find a bigger audience.
Dickinson
Step back to the 19th century when women were expected to marry and not have writing careers. This doesn’t sit well with Emily Dickinson (Hailee Steinfeld) who wishes to live life to the fullest and to publish her poems far and wide. However, her family has other ideas that don’t always align with Emily’s.
In this coming-of-age comedy/drama, Emily follows her heart and challenges society’s norms and gender expectations. In addition to strong acting, Dickinson is edgy and features a blend of traditional clothing and backdrops with modern music and colloquial language, striking a creative and entertaining balance.
