Monthly archives: August, 2021

In April 2021, Apple revealed the second-generation Apple TV 4K (2021), bringing high framerate HDR to the Apple TV for the first time and the A12 chip for improved performance, alongside a redesigned Siri Remote.

This model replaced the first-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K released in 2017. Although the first-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K has now been discontinued by Apple, it is common to find it available at discounted prices with third-party retailers. Some other users who already have the first-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K‌ may also be wondering if it is worth the upgrade to the second-generation model.

Should you consider purchasing the first-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K to save money, or do you need the second-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K? Our guide answers the question of how to decide which of these two ‌Apple TV‌ set-top boxes is best for you.

Comparing the First and Second-Generation Apple TV 4K

The first and second-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K models share the same design and a number of key features such as support for resolutions up to 2160p, Dolby Vision, and HDR10:

Similarities

• Design, dimensions, and weight
• 2160p, 1080p, 720p, 576p, 480p over HDMI (HDCP capable)
• SDR, HDR10, Dolby Vision
• Supports audio output up to 7.1.4 channels and Dolby Atmos
• HDMI-CEC
• Gigabit Ethernet
• Bluetooth 5
• AirPlay 2
• Available in 32GB and 64GB storage configuration options

There are a large number of important differences between the first-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K and the second-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K that are worth highlighting, including their processors and remote controls.

Differences

Apple TV 4K (First-Generation)

• 2.38 GHz hexa-core A10X Fusion chip
• HDMI 2.0a
• Wi-Fi 5
• First-generation ‌Siri‌ Remote

Apple TV 4K (Second-Generation)

• 2.49 GHz hexa-core A12 Bionic chip
• Support for high framerate HDR video up to 60-fps
• HDMI 2.1
• Wi-Fi 6
• ARC and eARC*
• Thread support
• Second-generation ‌Siri‌ Remote

*according to beta code, not yet enabled

Read on for a closer look at each of these aspects, and see what exactly both of the ‌Apple TV‌ 4K models have to offer.

Video and Audio

The ‌Apple TV‌ 4K supports resolutions up to 2160p Ultra HD. Both models support standard dynamic range (SDR), as well as HDR10 and Dolby Vision for richer colors and deeper blacks. They also feature support for audio output with 7.1.4 channel surround sound and Dolby Atmos.

The second-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K adds support for high framerate HDR up to 60-fps. High framerate HDR video enables fast-moving action at 60 frames per second to play more smoothly and appear more lifelike.

With high frame rate support in ‌AirPlay‌, videos shot on the iPhone 12 Pro can be displayed in full 60-fps Dolby Vision on the second-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K. Apple is also working with video providers around the world, including FOX Sports, NBCUniversal, Paramount+, Red Bull TV, and Canal+, as they begin to stream in high frame rate HDR.

The only difference in terms of video and audio capabilities between the two ‌Apple TV‌ 4K models is support for high framerate HDR. If this is a feature that is important to you, then you will need to get the second-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K.

For the vast majority of viewers, high framerate HDR will not be important enough to justify buying the newer model. Most content is still not available in high framerate formats, and even where it is, high framerate video is best suited to sports, non-cinematic content, and short videos.

tvOS 14.5 and tvOS 14.6 beta code suggests that the second-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K will also add support for ARC and eARC, allowing users to send audio, volume, and mute commands from the ‌Apple TV‌ to a receiver or soundbar.

This should allow users to send audio coming from other set-top boxes like a cable box or games console to their TV via HDMI, then from the TV to the ‌Apple TV‌ via eARC over HDMI, and finally from the ‌Apple TV‌ to a connected audio device. eARC support on the ‌Apple TV‌ effectively allows users to use the HomePod, when set up in a home theater speaker setup, not only for audio from ‌Apple TV‌, but for all other home theater audio needs.

A10X Fusion vs. A12 Bionic

The second-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K features the A12 Bionic chip. The A12 Bionic chip powered the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR in 2018, as well as the 2019 versions of the iPad Air and iPad Mini, and the 2020 entry-level ‌iPad‌.

The A10X Fusion chip is older than the A12 and was first introduced with 2017’s iPad Pro models. The A12 is a 2.49 GHz hexa-core chip and is slightly more powerful than the A10X, which is a 2.38 GHz hexa-core chip.

While processing power is not an absolute priority with a set-top box, the ‌Apple TV‌ 4K’s more recent A12 chip will generally be more capable than the A10X. Whether it comes to playing games, app launch speeds, or simply general responsiveness, the A12 is likely to be more snappy.

The A12 isn’t necessarily a clear winner in every aspect, however, as the A10X actually outperforms it in some graphics benchmarks thanks to its additional graphics cores, so comparative performance may depend on the type of content.

Through progressive updates to tvOS, the A12 will guarantee better performance over time and will be more future-proof than the A10X in the first-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K.

Connectivity

Wired Connectivity

The second-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K features the most recent version of HDMI with version 2.1, while the first-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K uses the older HDMI 2.0a. HDMI 2.1 facilitates many of the newer ‌Apple TV‌ 4K’s added video capabilities like high-framerate HDR. Both models have gigabit ethernet.

Wireless Connectivity

While both ‌Apple TV‌ 4K models feature Bluetooth 5.0, only the second-generation model features Wi-Fi 6. The first-generation ‌Apple TV‌ has the older Wi-Fi 5 wireless networking standard.

The second-generation ‌‌Apple TV‌‌ 4K is the second Apple device to have built-in Thread support, following the HomePod mini, for improved integration into smart home setups. Thread is a low-power networking technology that offers a secure, mesh-based system able to interface with other Thread-enabled smart home devices for improved connectivity.

Siri Remote

Alongside the second-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K, Apple introduced a completely redesigned ‌Siri‌ Remote. With a thicker, one-piece aluminum design, the new ‌Siri‌ Remote fits more comfortably in a user’s hand.

The new ‌Siri‌ Remote features a clickpad control that offers five-way navigation for better accuracy and is also touch-enabled for fast directional swipes. The outer ring of the clickpad supports an intuitive circular gesture that turns it into a jog control.

The new ‌Siri‌ Remote also has a power button that controls a TV’s power directly, and another for mute. The ‌Siri‌ button has been relocated to the side of the remote for convenience. The second-generation ‌Siri‌ Remote also dropped the built-in accelerometer and gyroscope from its predecessor.

The first-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K features the older, first-generation ‌Siri‌ Remote that first appeared in 2015 with the ‌Apple TV‌ HD.

The first-generation ‌Siri‌ Remote has a glass touch surface with no directional buttons. There is no power button or mute button, nor is there the ability to use the touchpad as a jog.

The design of the first-generation ‌Siri‌ Remote has been criticized for being unergonomic and has been replaced by the significantly improved redesigned model. Although the first-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K features the older remote, it is possible to simply purchase the new remote separately for $59.

Other Apple TV Options

The ‌Apple TV‌ HD was first released in 2015 and has remained in Apple’s lineup since then as an entry-level option for $149. The ‌Apple TV‌ HD features the A8 chip and only supports resolutions up to 1080p. In spite of its older hardware, the ‌Apple TV‌ HD comes with the second-generation ‌Siri‌ Remote.

There is only a $30 price difference between the ‌Apple TV‌ HD and ‌Apple TV‌ 4K.
The only people who should consider the ‌Apple TV‌ HD are individuals on a strict budget, those with no intention of upgrading their setups, and those with no interest in technologies like Ultra-HD 4K, HDR, or Dolby Atmos.

The ‌Apple TV‌ HD may also appear to be a good option for existing ‌Apple TV‌ users looking to buy an additional ‌Apple TV‌ for another room for activities such as Apple Fitness+.

Final Thoughts

For most existing first-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K users, the upgrade to the second-generation model will likely not be worth it since the improvements are minor.

Given the complaints about the first-generation ‌Siri‌ Remote, it is difficult to recommend new buyers to miss out on the redesigned version. If the new ‌Siri‌ Remote is the most alluring part of the second-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K for you, then it is possible to simply buy the new remote separately for $59.

It would make sense to buy the first-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K if you can get it cheap enough that you can buy the second-generation ‌Siri‌ Remote to add to it, and still have spent less than the $179 starting price of the second-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K.

Unless you do this and get the first-generation ‌Apple TV‌ for a very good price compared to the second-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K, it makes sense to buy the newer model instead.

Although the second-generation model is very similar to its predecessor in terms of specifications, the faster and more recent A12 processor will make it more future-proof. Users who watch a lot of sports and care about high framerate video will also be better off spending more to get the newer model.

https://www.macrumors.com/guide/apple-tv-4k-gen-1-vs-gen-2/
AppleTV 4 Jailbreak (appletv4jailbreak.com)

When Apple TV+ launched, Apple joined an already-crowded video streaming market. The streaming service from Cupertino didn’t offer nearly as much content as long-standing competitors at launch, and the size of its library still lags behind competitors, since it is almost competently reliant on Apple’s original shows and movies. Apple TV+’s low price and premium features are impressive, though: Subscribers can stream shows in 4K, download content for offline viewing on iOS, and watch everything without any ads. Apple TV+ now has more shows and long-form titles than it did at launch, but it just doesn’t have enough substantive content to compete.

What’s on Apple TV+

Apple TV+’s launch titles included Dickinson, The Elephant Queen, For All Mankind, Ghostwriter, Helpsters, Oprah’s Book Club, The Morning Show, See, and Snoopy in Space. These shows cover a range of genres and content ratings, which was a good indication that Apple TV+ won’t cater exclusively to one audience. At the time of the announcement, Apple promised new shows every month and new episodes every week. Apple also said that new shows would typically launch with three episodes (with new episodes arriving every week thereafter) or with full seasons available all at once.

That production rate may have slowed down due to the coronavirus crisis, but some new shows are available to watch, including Central Park, an animated musical series about a family who lives in the famous park; Little Voice, a romantic comedy; Ted Lasso, a sports comedy; Tehran, a co-produced spy-thriller revolving around the Israeli-Iranian conflict; and Tiny World, a nature documentary series. The complete list of shows is growing too long to name them all here, which is a testament to the larger library size, but the total number of titles (shows and movies) still sits below 50 entries.

You won’t find any fan favorites from broadcast networks or older shows to bolster Apple TV+’s offerings. Disney+, on the other hand, debuted with a staggering number of shows and movies from its vast catalog and a trove of 21st Century Fox content, in addition to the promise of new originals, such as The Mandalorian. None of the other services we’ve reviewed depend entirely on brand-new original shows.

Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, and Netflix are the current leaders in producing original content. Among Amazon Prime’s most notable shows are Bosch, The Boys, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Patriot, and Undone. HBO Max is highly regarded for its original shows, both past and present, including Game of Thrones, Six Feet Under, The Wire, and Westworld. Netflix’s blockbuster originals include Bojack Horseman, Ozark, Russian Doll, Stranger Things, The Crown, and Tiger King. All these services offer non-original shows and movies as well.

We aren’t sure whether a streaming service can thrive solely with original shows, especially since Apple TV+ simply doesn’t have as many quality shows as competitors. There’s also a clear value in the third-party content that pads out the vast catalogs of services like Hulu and Prime Video. Apple certainly has the resources to build up its library, but subscribers should weigh reviews of existing and soon-to-be-released shows before jumping into a subscription.

Apple TV+’s library includes several documentaries and feature-length films, such as Beastie Boys Story, a documentary about the band directed by Spike Jonze; Greyhound, a WWII thriller starring Tom Hanks; and the soon-to-be-released comedy On The Rocks, which stars Bill Murray, Rashida Jones, and Marlon Wayans. Cinephiles should check out our roundup of the best movie streaming services for more complete options. For good selections of classic and independent films, look to Filmatique, Mubi, Ovid, or The Criterion Channel.

Pricing and Platforms

Apple TV+’s $4.99-per-month price is very affordable, though you can save money by subscribing to the $49.99-per-year annual subscription. Apple does offer a seven-day trial, but you need to provide a payment method to get access. Purchasers of new Apple devices get a year free, too. Sick of subscribing? Here’s how to cancel your Apple TV+ subscription.

You can also get Apple TV+ through one of several Apple One subscription bundles. The Individual plan includes Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and 50GB of iCloud storage for $14.95 per month. The $19.95-per-month Family tier bundles Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and 200GB of iCloud storage and can be shared with up to six family members. The $29.95-per-month Premier option features Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple News+, Apple Fitness+, and 2TB of iCloud storage and can also be shared among six family members. Other video streaming services offer bundles, too; for example, you can pay $12.99 per month to get Disney+, ESPN+, and the ad-supported version of Hulu.

The subscription price for Apple TV+ is likely cheap enough that you won’t bother to cancel it, even if you only end up watching one or two shows every month. Apple TV+ is one of the cheapest video streaming services we’ve reviewed. ESPN+ matches its price, but Filmatique is even cheaper at $4.95 per month. Other on-demand competitors are more expensive. Hulu’s ad-supported tier is $6.99 per month, Netflix’s Standard plan (the tier we recommend) is $12.99 per month, and Amazon Prime Video costs $8.99 per month. HBO Max is $14.99 per month and Disney+ is $6.99 per month.

If you don’t want to pay for your entertainment, our roundup of the best free video streaming services has some options worth checking out. Our top pick for the category, Peacock, includes some popular network shows and movies to stream on demand, for example.

For a rundown on how to get going with the service, read How to Get and Use Apple TV+. In addition to housing Apple TV+ originals, the app lets you subscribe to other services, which it designates as channels. These include on-demand services, such as Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and CBS All Access, as well as live TV services such as AT&T TV Now. You can also rent and buy movies and shows from the app. Note that Apple TV channels are not the same as subscribing to these services on their own; if you subscribe to them via the Apple TV app, you can only watch them on devices that support the Apple TV app.

You can subscribe to Apple TV+ on any devices that support the app, including Apple TVs, iPhones, iPads, and Macs. You can also do so via tv.apple.com in your web browser. Support extends to select LG, Samsung, and Sony smart TVs, as well as any media streaming devices that support the Apple TV app, such as newer Roku units. Owners of Android devices, game consoles, and Chromecasts are out of luck. Apple Music is available on Android, so we hope Apple brings the Apple TV+ app to the platform eventually. As a workaround, you can access Apple TV+ in a browser on those devices, but that is far from ideal.

Apple TV+ on Mobile

We tested Apple TV+ on an iPhone X running iOS 13. Apple TV+’s interface is clear and easily navigable, with set buttons across the bottom for Watch Now, Library, and Search. In the Apple TV app, Apple Originals live in your Watch Now and Library tabs alongside content from HBO, Showtime, and Starz. Note that you can’t sort shows by network, unless you are already a subscriber. To download a show for offline viewing, just tap the standard cloud-plus-down-arrow icon next to an episode listing. Downloading a show may take several minutes given the large file sizes.

We tried watching an episode of The Morning Show over PCMag’s Wi-Fi network and playback was sharp for the most part. At one point, however, the playback resolution dipped noticeably and the episode restarted. We don’t like that you need to back out of the playback screen to the show listing in order to play the next episode in a show. We also wish that you could take a screenshot of the app; if you try to do so, you just get an image of a blank screen with the controls. Other video streaming apps behave in the same way, however. Note that Apple TV+ integrates with iOS’s built-in parental control options.

Apple TV+ on the Web

Although Apple’s marketing mostly highlights the Apple TV+ streaming service on those devices that support the Apple TV app, you can sign up for the service and watch shows on your web browser, even if you don’t have a preexisting Apple ID (you’ll need to create one, though). In testing, Apple TV+’s web interface seems less polished than the Apple TV app. For instance, you can browse and watch only Apple TV+ content—none of the other services that you can subscribe to via the Apple TV app appear here. The web interface is also missing several common features from other services.

The Apple TV website looks elegant, but like many of the service’s shows, the richness of the experience is only surface-deep. As of this review, all the shows appear in a wide, vertically scrolling list with icons to either Play Episode (it doesn’t specify which one) or Go to Show (a description page with the show’s available episodes, cast information, and other Apple TV+ recommendations). There’s currently no way to sort or search for shows, which seems problematic, especially as the number of Apple TV+ titles grows. You can access account settings via the profile icon in the upper right-hand side of the screen to view billing information and change your subscription. You can also set up parental control restrictions, but note that these limitations are not profile-based; whatever settings you choose apply to everyone using that account on the web.

We watched several episodes from The Morning Show, See, and For All Mankind in Chrome and Edge on a 1080p monitor, and the shows looked and sounded excellent. Playback controls are standard with a draggable progress bar, forward and rewind buttons, a volume slider, and accessibility options in the lower-right corner.

We appreciate the wealth of language and closed caption options, but with several English options (as well as duplicate listings for other languages) in the list, we weren’t sure how they were different from one another. We discovered that the various options affect the size and position of the text on screen, but we would prefer a clearer option menu for customizing the subtitles. We appreciate that at least the Audio Descriptions options are clearly labeled.

Notably missing from Apple TV+’s playback interface are options for advancing to the next episode in a season and a skip intro button. As with the mobile app, you need to head back to the show’s description page and select a new episode there. There is an Add to Up Next button on the web, but we couldn’t find a way to access that list in a browser.

Technical Prowess

Apple TV+’s technical features are impressive. As noted, subscribers can download content for offline viewing on iOS devices via the Apple TV app. CBS All Access, HBO Max, Netflix, Prime Video, and Showtime also include offline viewing capabilities. Hulu only offers this capability to subscribers of its premium ad-free tier. We hope Apple adds a feature similar to Netflix‘s Smart Downloads feature, in which Netflix automatically downloads the next episode in a season after you finish watching the current one.

Apple TV+ users can share a subscription with up to six people via Apple’s Family Sharing feature, but Apple caps simultaneous streams to three for most TV Channels. Apple says that Originals are “subtitled and/or dubbed in nearly 40 languages, including Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (SDH) or closed captions” and that they support audio descriptions in eight languages. Amazon Prime Video and Netflix also support Audio Descriptions, an accessibility feature that adds vocal narrations to scenes to explain character movements, settings, and other on-screen actions not discernible from character dialog. These accessibility options outclass those found in competitors.

4K streaming, HDR, Dolby Atmos, and Dolby Vision support round out the list of Apple TV+’s tech specs. Note that only select devices, such as the Apple TV 4K, support all these capabilities. Netflix and Prime Video offer some original shows in 4K, with sporadic support for the Dolby Atmos and Vision standards. Since most of the launch shows support all of these high-end standards, the service, when combined with the Apple TV 4K, could be very attractive to home theater buffs.

Note, too, that Apple does not run ads on any of its content. Other premium video streaming services, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO Max don’t show ads, either. The lack of advertising is particularly notable given that Apple TV+’s price undercuts both that of CBS All Access’ and Hulu’s ad-supported tiers.

Apple TV+ and VPN

You should use a VPN to protect your internet traffic from nosy ISPs and malicious actors on a network. Many video streaming services block VPN traffic, though, because a VPN also allows you to spoof your location and potentially watch location-restricted content. Apple plans to offer Apple TV+ in over 100 countries with the same content, so that shouldn’t be an issue. We were able to stream content from Apple TV+ via the web with a desktop connected to a US-based Mullvad VPN server.

Even if you do find a VPN that works with your video streaming service, you might eventually get blocked, as video streaming services actively work to block VPN connections. We recommend you choose a VPN based on other factors such as privacy policy, performance, and features.

Apple Is All-In on TV

Based on its price and technical features alone, Apple TV+ competes with the current front-runners in the video streaming category. However, Apple TV+’s stable of content isn’t intriguing enough to draw interest away from the likes of Netflix and Amazon Prime. We would like to see improvements to the interfaces and support for more devices. You’re better off waiting until Apple TV+ offers more shows that appeal to you or for its current shows to find their footing. Netflix is our current Editors’ Choice for on-demand video streaming. For live TV services, we recommend either Hulu + Live TV or YouTube TV.

Pros

• Inexpensive

• No ads

• Offline downloads on iOS

• Good accessibility options

• Support for 4K and HDR streams, Dolby Atmos

View More

Cons

• Growing content library still can’t compete with established rivals

• No apps for Android or game consoles

• Web interface is bare-bones

The Bottom Line

Apple TV+ is impressive from a technical standpoint, but its current library of original content is not competitive with that of top-tier video streaming services.

This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.

https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/apple-tv-plus
AppleTV 4 Jailbreak (appletv4jailbreak.com)

With bona fide hits like Ted Lasso and critical darlings like For All Mankind, Apple is more than just the go-to place for another $800 phone, it’s also the place to go for expensive-looking big-budget TV shows. And now that Apple TV+ is well into its second year of existence, it’s quickly becoming more and more popular. But no one in their right mind is eager to have another streaming service homepage to browse for hours only to end up right back where you started: with no idea of what to watch. That’s why we’ve narrowed down the catalog to a list of the best shows and movies to watch on Apple TV+.

The good news is that Apple TV+ hasn’t pegged any genre to focus on, so it has a little bit of everything: comedy, drama, horror, Tom Hanks, and more, including arguably the best documentary film and children’s movie in recent years. Apple TV+ has a ton of shows from other networks to subscribe to, but for the sake of simplicity, we’ve limited our list to the best Apple TV+ originals.

Looking for more recommendations of what to watch next? We have a ton of them! We also have hand-picked selections based on shows you already love.

Boys State

For fans of: Politics, Lord of the Flies, the future of America, chaos

René Ortero, Boy’s State

Apple TV+

Boys State is being hailed as one of the best documentaries of 2020, and with good reason. The film follows the annual Boys State, a summer camp (this particular one’s in Texas) sponsored by the American Legion in which more than 1,000 high school boys come together to form their own two-party government, complete with elections, voting, and mudslinging. It’s a remarkable look at the pitfalls of our current political system, hyper-masculinity among teen boys, and the future of America (it looks like we’re in both good and bad hands). Beyond the fascinating subject matter, the filmmaking is superb and gorgeous, feeling more like a scripted movie than a guerilla-shot documentary, which is a compliment in this case. If you like Lord of the Flies or Kid Nation (which, how can you not?), you’re going to love this. [Trailer | Watch on Apple TV+]

Dickinson

For fans of: Period pieces with anachronisms, Wiz Khalifa
Number of seasons: 2 (already renewed for Season 3)

Dickinson

Michael Parmelee, Apple

Every early headline about Dickinson, an Apple TV+ show about Emily Dickinson, felt like a fever dream: John Mulaney guest starring as Thoreau! Wiz Khalifa playing Death! The show, which stars Hailee Steinfeld as the great American poet in her younger years, is the sort of beautiful gamble that could either soar or fall on its face, with almost no room for anything in between. Following the premiere of its fantastic second season, it’s clearer than ever: Dickinson totally rules. A delirious, anachronistic period piece, it’s both a very funny show and a surreal elegy for all the great art lost to misogyny. It’s as bold and haunting as the work of its heroine. [Trailer | Watch on Apple TV+] –Kelly Connolly

For All Mankind

For fans of: Putting boots on the moon (and Mars), space travel, the volatile politics of the ’60s and ’70s
Number of seasons: 2 (renewed for Season 3)

For All Mankind

Seth Gordon, Apple

Few moments in history captured the attention of the world like the moon landing in 1969, but what if that hype never waned? For All Mankind asks how the great space race would have changed had Russia landed a tin can on the moon before the United States and the competition for space superiority stayed heated for years after. The alternative history drama comes from Battlestar Galactica‘s Ronald D. Moore and follows not just the men and women (yes, in this alternate history, progressiveness refreshingly came earlier) who went into the stratosphere, but the astronauts’ significant others and eggheads back at mission control trying to make permanent residence on the moon. It’s great for space geeks and anyone into speculative fiction. Joel Kinnaman, Michael Dorman, Wrenn Schmidt, and Sarah Jones star. [Trailer | Watch on Apple TV+]

Little America

For fans of: The immigrant experience, anthologies, crying your eyes out in a good way
Number of seasons: 1 (renewed for Season 2, date TBD)

Apple TV +

If you need a nice pick-me-up from the ills of the world, this anthology series from Kumail Nanjiani, Emily V. Gordon, and Master of None‘s Alan Yang is a good bet. Each episode of Little America is based on the true stories of immigrants in America, showing off their successes and experiences in humorous and heartwarming fashion, like the Indian spelling bee whiz who ran his parents’ hotel after they were deported and petitioned Laura Bush to help him get them back. The best part of the show is that it focuses on the systemic challenges they face rather than on hate from racist individuals, and the stories vary wildly so they don’t feel repetitive. [Trailer | Watch on Apple TV+]

Losing Alice

For fans of: Psychological and erotic thrillers, getting mindf—ed, delicious subtext
Number of seasons: 1

Lihi Kornowski, Losing Alice

Apple TV+

One of the most intriguing new releases of 2021, the Israeli psychological drama is lathered up in erotically charged mystery that takes cues from the greats of the film world. Writer-director Sigal Avin leans on Alfred Hitchcock, David Lynch, and more for influences in her story about an aging female director (Ayelet Zurer) who becomes obsessed with a young, seductive screenwriter (Lihi Kornowski) and the film that might save her career but destroy her marriage. It’s wonderfully shot and loaded with beautiful people, if that’s your thing. [Trailer | Watch on Apple TV+]

The Morning Show

For fans of: The Newsroom, #MeToo, A-listers
Number of seasons: 1 (renewed for Season 2, date TBD)

The Morning Show

Apple

When Apple TV+ launched, it seemed to do so on the back of The Morning Show, its big-budget, high-profile, star-studded drama that was going to win every award out there. Jennifer Aniston AND Reese Witherspoon starring in the same show as rival anchors for a popular morning show? Well, reviews were mixed, and early episodes were less than impressive, but the show righted many of its wrongs as its season continued. And though its central plot about a male anchor (Steve Carell) getting fired after sexual harassment allegations against him may seem a little dated given how much has happened in the last two years, it’s a conversation that needs to continue. Plus, did we mention Aniston and Witherspoon? [Trailer | Watch on Apple TV+]

Mythic Quest

For fans of: Workplace comedies, the video game industry
Number of seasons: 2 (+special episodes)

Apple TV +

 It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia‘s Rob McElhenney is smart enough to know that video games are funny, but they’re not to be made fun of. Gamers are legion, after all. The game biz gets a loving sendup in Mythic Quest (which was subtitled Raven’s Banquet in Season 1) without making games the joke, as McElhenney plays the egotistical creative director of a popular MMORPG about to release its first expansion pack. There’s a fantastic cast that includes F. Murray Abraham, Danny Pudi, and Charlotte Nicdao, a midseason standalone episode that’s a great story of creativity vs. profits, and a bonus episode made during the pandemic that’s probably the best quarantine episode of last year. [Trailer | Watch on Apple TV+]

Physical

For fans of: Jazzercise, internal dialogue filled with nasty insults
Number of seasons: 1

Rose Byrne, Physical

Apple TV+

If you miss Netflix’s G.L.O.W. you might find some solace in this 1980s-set dramedy that follows a housewife (Rose Byrne) who finds strength in the aerobics craze that’s just starting to sweep across the nation’s malls. But don’t expect the cheery underdog story from G.L.O.W.; Byrne’s character is struggling with bulimia and spends much of her days hurling nasty body-shaming insults at other women. Byrne excels in the role as an antihero breaking free from the expectations of a traditional housewife in her own morally questionable way. [Trailer | Watch on Apple TV+]

Schmigadoon!

For fans of: Musical comedies, corn pudding
Number of seasons: 1

Schmigadoon!

Apple TV+

Despite being perfectly enjoyable, musical comedy series don’t have the most successful track record (Galavant, where art thee?). But that might change with Apple TV+’s genre-busting series Schmigadoon!, which is 2021’s most fun TV show to say. Keegan-Michael Key and Cecily Strong star as a couple who come across a magical town where everyone seems stuck in a 1940s musical, and I assume that’s where the singing comes in. They get stuck in the town, which makes it a bit of a Twilight Zone episode or horror movie where everyone sings about corn pudding. Also, Martin Short plays a leprechaun. This show is demented. [Trailer | Watch on Apple TV+]

Servant

For fans of: Psychological horror from M. Night Shyamalan, babies, food
Number of seasons: 2 (renewed for Season 3, date TBD)

Servant

Apple TV+’s cockeyed horror show Servant is back and creepier than ever in Season 2. The claustrophobic thriller, created by Tony Basgallop and executive produced by M. Night Shyamalan, began as a wild-eyed but mechanically precise story about a family unraveling in the wake of a tragedy. In Season 1, Dorothy (Lauren Ambrose) and Sean Turner (Toby Kebbell) hired live-in nanny Leanne (Nell Tiger Free) to care for the lifelike “reborn doll” that a grieving Dorothy believed was her son — only for the doll to somehow become a living baby. Now, the show goes full supernatural in its sophomore season as Leanne’s true nature is exposed. It’s the details that make this show stand out, like the rich wallpaper of the Turners’ Philadelphia brownstone, the wet, wet, shoes of Leanne’s weird uncle (Boris McGiver), and the most unsettling food design since Hannibal. [Trailer | Watch on Apple TV+] –Kelly Connolly

Ted Lasso

For fans of: Making fun of Americans, making fun of the British, sports, feeling good
Number of seasons: 1 (renewed for Season 3, Season 2 coming July 23)

Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso

Apple TV+

If any show can be credited with restoring faith in humanity after the whirlwind of 2020, it is Ted Lasso. The titular Ted (Jason Sudeikis) is an American college football coach who heads to England to coach an actual football (soccer, for the uninitiated) team. While the setup seems like a farce — Ted’s hiring is part of an elaborate scheme by an embittered woman looking to ruin the beloved football team of her cheating ex-husband — Ted’s seemingly unshakeable good nature and determination to see the best in everyone, even those actively trying to do him harm, is downright inspiring. He doesn’t just bring a glow to everyone around him; he leaves viewers with hope that things can get better and that doing your best is enough. He’s the hero we didn’t know we needed. [Trailer | Watch on Apple TV+] –Megan Vick

Tiny World

For fans of: Planet Earth, adorable wittle cuddle creatures
Number of seasons: 2

Tiny World

Apple TV+

The BBC and Discovery no longer corner the market on nature documentaries, and Apple TV+ is pushing to release some of the best series about wildlife that don’t feature Sir David Attenborough’s narration. This series puts the microscope on the smaller creatures in the world, exposing a world and struggle for survival not often seen in other shows of its ilk. Paul Rudd, Ant-Man himself, appropriately narrates the technological marvel featuring minuscule frogs, beetles, birds, and more. Apple TV+ is also home to the wonderful nature documentary film The Elephant Queen, which follows a herd of elephants and other animals in Africa. [Trailer | Watch on Apple TV+]

Visible: Out on Television

For fans of: The LGBTQ+ community, the progressive movement, television history

Asia Kate Dillon, Visible: Out on Television

Apple

Apple TV+’s expansive and carefully paced history of LGBTQ+ people on TV deserves kudos for its thoughtful, authoritative, and exhausting summation. Even if it weren’t packed with the most well-known queer people on TV, Visible: Out on Television does an excellent job of tracking how gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and non-binary people have been depicted on television from its earliest days — including the frantic, hyper-paranoid news reports of the 1950s declaring queer people a menacing threat. It’s practically a college course, methodically chronicling representation throughout the decades through archival footage, news reports, and the like, but its abundant first-person testimonials from practically every living LGBTQ+ TV star you can think of (plus allies like Oprah, Billy Crystal and more) make Visible: Out on Television an invaluable educational tool for everyone who watches. [Trailer | Watch on Apple TV+] –Malcolm Venable

Wolfwalkers

For fans of: The wonderful Cartoon Saloon films, wolves, Irish accents

Wolfwalkers

Apple TV+

The beautifully animated film Wolfwalkers came out in theaters in November, but there’s about a 99% chance you didn’t see it because of, well, obvious reasons. It’s the third in a series of films based on Irish folklore from the studio Cartoon Saloon, following the critically acclaimed The Secret of Kells and Song of the Sea (highly recommended), and tells the story of a young girl who heads to Ireland with her dad to kill off the last wolf pack but ends up befriending a young girl who is part of a tribe of humans who become wolves at night. It’s less Disney and Pixar and more Hayao Miyazaki, and it was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Pop some corn and gather the family for movie night. [Trailer | Watch on Apple TV+]

https://www.tvguide.com/news/what-to-watch-on-apple-tv-plus-mythic-quest-season-2-ted-lasso/
AppleTV 4 Jailbreak (appletv4jailbreak.com)

Apple’s list of currently available content for Apple TV+ continues to grow, but there’s an even faster-growing list of projects in the works. Films, limited series, specials, and multi-season series, Apple’s got lots of irons in the fire for all of them.

Some of these projects have been officially announced and acknowledged by Apple, but many have just been reported by the Hollywood press, which always has its ear to the ground about what actors, directors, and producers are getting involved with which projects.

We’ve divided this list in two: Coming Soon is a list of shows for which Apple has given an official release date or release window, and Further Out compiles other announced and not-officially-announced projects that are still in production or perhaps haven’t even begun yet.

Updated 08/12/21: Apple has announced that the film “Finch,” starring Tom Hanks and Caleb Landry Jones, will premiere on Apple TV+ on November 5. This is Hanks’ second Apple TV+ film after the WWII feature “Greyhound,” which Apple bought from Sony Pictures.

Coming Soon

The following shows, series, and movies have been officially announced by Apple and will typically will begin streaming in the next few weeks or months.

Truth Be Told (season 2)

What it’s about: Season two follows podcaster Poppy Parnell, who risks everything—including her life—to pursue truth and justice. Poppy dives into a new case that deeply involves her childhood friend, media mogul Micah Keith. As developments unfold, their lifelong friendship is put to the ultimate test. 

Important names: Octavia Spencer returns as Poppy Parnell, Kate Hudson joins the cast as Micah Keith.

When you can watch: The second season premieres on August 20, 2021.

See (season 2)

What it’s about: In the far future when humankind has lost its sense of sight. In season two, Baba Voss is fighting to reunite his torn-apart family and get away from the war and politics that surround him, but the more he moves away, the deeper he gets sucked in, and the emergence of his nemesis brother threatens his family even more.

Important names: In season 2, Dave Bautista joins the principle cast of Jason Momoa, Alfre Woodard, and Hera Hilmar.

When you can watch: The second season of See premieres on August 27, 2021.

Come From Away

What it’s about: A filmed performance of the Broadway musical “Come From Away,” which has won Tony and Oliver awards.

Apple

Important names: Directed by Tony Award winner Christopher Ashley, who directed the original Broadway production, and stars an ensemble cast led by members of the Broadway show.

When you can watch: The musical debuts on Apple TV+ on September 10, 2021.

9/11: Inside the President’s War Room

What it’s about: A documentary special that recounts the 12 hours after the strike on September 11, offering new details about the difficult decisions that were made in a race against the clock.

Important names: The special is narrated by Jeff Daniels.

When you can watch: Apple says the show will stream in September for the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attack.

The Morning Show (season 2)

What it’s about: Season two finds “The Morning Show” team emerging from the wreckage of Alex (Aniston) and Bradley’s (Witherspoon) actions, to a new UBA and a world in flux, where identity is everything and the chasm between who we present as and who we really are comes into play.

Important names: Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Steve Carell, and Billy Crudup star.

When you can watch: Season 2 of The Morning Show premieres on September 17, 2021.

The Problem with Jon Stewart

What it’s about: A new current-affairs series and the first return to TV for Jon Stewart since 2015 when he left The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Apple says this is to be, “a multiple season, one-hour, single-issue series which will explore topics that are currently part of the national conversation and his advocacy work.” This is one of several projects in the multi-year partnership between Apple and Stewart.

Important names: Getting Jon Stewart back in front of the camera is a huge get for Apple.

When you can watch: Apple says this show will land in September, 2021.

Foundation

What it’s about: Of all of Isaac Asimov’s famous science fiction work, none is as sprawling, weighty, or influential as the Foundation series. The original book trilogy (part of which was first published as a short story series in sci-fi magazine Astounding) was published in the 1950s, and has served as fodder for a lot of the science fiction that followed.

Important names: Lee Pace and Jared Harris will star in the series.

When you can watch: Apple says Foundation will stream in September 24, 2021.

Invasion

What it’s about: Apple calls this a “character-driven science fiction drama series that follows an alien invasion through different perspectives around the world.”

Apple

Important names: Simon Kinberg and David Weil are the creators of this one. Kinberg is known for his work on the Fox X-Men franchise, and Weil is the creator of the upcoming Amazon Nazi-hunting series The Hunt. Starring in the series are Sam Neill (Peaky Blinders) and Shamier Anderson (Wyonna Earp).

When you can watch: Invasion is due for release on October 22, 2021.

Finch

What it’s about: Finch is a robotics engineer who survives an apocalyptic event in his underground bunker with his dog, Goodyear. After a decade creating a world of his own in his bunker, he makes a robot to take care of his dog when he’s no longer around.

Apple

Important names: Starring Tom Hanks, directed by Miguel Sapochnik.

When you can watch: Finch will premiere on November 5, 2021.

The Shrink Next Door

What it’s about: Based on a popular podcast, this is a dark comedy inspired by true events. Charming doctor Dr. Isaac Herschkopf (Paul Rudd) slowly takes over the life of his patient Martin Markowitz (Will Ferrell). The show is an eight-part limited series.

Important names: Will Ferrell and Paul Rudd make a powerful celebrity headlining duo.

When you can watch: This limited series debuts on November 12, 2021.

Blush

What it’s about: This animated short film “follows the journey of a stranded horticulturist-astronaut’s chances for survival after he crash lands on a desolate dwarf planet. When an ethereal visitor arrives, the once-lone traveler discovers the joy in building a new life and realizes the universe has delivered astonishing salvation.”

Apple

Important names: Written and directed by Joe Mateo.

When you can watch: Apple says Blush is “coming soon.”

The Line

What it’s about: A combination podcast and video documentary limited series. The podcast is available now and will eventually be comprised of six non-fiction episodes. The four-part video limited series comes to Apple TV+ this fall. It features independently reported accounts of US Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher, who was charged with committing war crimes before ultimately being acquitted on all but one count: for posing in a photo with a corpse.

Apple

Important names: The podcast is hosted by Dan Taberski. The series is directed by Jeffrey Zimbalist.

When you can watch: Fall 2021 (the podcast part is available now)

Dr. Brain

What it’s about: A brain scientist is obsessed with discovering new ways to access memories and consciousness. When his family dies in an accident, he accesses memories from his wife’s brain to figure out what really happened.

Important names: Written and directed by Kim Jee-Woon, starring Lee Sun-Kyun.

When you can watch: Dr. Brain will debut later in 2021.

The Velvet Underground

What it’s about: A documentary film about the famous rock group of the same name.

Apple

Important names: Directed by Todd Haynes.

When you can watch: This series is “coming soon.”

The Tragedy of Macbeth

What it’s about: This drama is the latest film by celebrated director Joel Coen. We don’t know whether it’s an actual retelling of the Shakespeare tragedy, though.

Important names: Stars Denzel Washington and Francis McDormand, directed by Joel Coen.

When you can watch: The film is due in theaters in late 2021, with an Apple TV+ release to follow.

Further Out

These shows, series, and movies may or may not have been officially announced, and do not yet have definitive release dates. Some may debut in the next few months, others be more than a year away. It’s even possible that some of these projects will never be released.

Bad Monkey

What it’s about: An adaptation of the Carl Hiaasen novel of the same name, “Bad Monkey” tells the story of Andrew Yancy, a one-time detective demoted to restaurant inspector in Southern Florida. A severed arm found by a tourist out fishing pulls Yancy into the world of greed and corruption that decimates the land and environment in both Florida and the Bahamas. And yes, there’s a monkey.

Important names: Written and produced by Bill Lawrence (Scrubs, Ted Lasso, Cougar Town) and starring Vince Vaughn.

When you can watch: Bad Monkey has no release date yet.

City on Fire

What it’s about: Samantha Cicciaro is an NYU student that is shot in Central Park on the Fourth of July, 2003. As the crime is investigated, she’s revealed to be the crucial connection between a series of mysterious citywide fires, the downtown music scene, and a wealthy uptown real estate family fraying under the strain of the many secrets they keep.

Important names: Written and executive produced by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage.

When you can watch: This series has no release date yet.

Untitled Negro League Baseball series

What it’s about: Follows the life and career of legendary pitcher Leroy “Satchel” Paige.

Important names: The series is produced by Erving “Magic” Johnson, among others. It is in conjunction with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and MLB.

When you can watch: This series has no release date yet.

Liaison

What it’s about: A modern-day thriller about how our past mistakes can destroy our futures that includes action, espionage, and political intrigue.

Important names: The series will star Vincent Cassel and Eva Green, and will be directed by Stephen Hopkins.

When you can watch: Liaison does not yet have a release date.

Strange Planet

What it’s about: An animated series based on the web-based comic and graphics novels by Nathan Pyle. The comic features aliens who live lives not unlike our own, but refer to our everyday activities with usual, sometimes scientific-ish verbiage (like calling a hug “limb enclosure”).

Important names: The series is being developed in part by Dan Harmon, of Community and Rick and Morty fame.

When you can watch: The series has no release date yet.

The Big Door Prize

What it’s about: Based on the bestselling novel by M. O. Walsh. The residents of the small town Deerfield one day discover a mystery machine in their local grocery story that promises to predict one’s future potential, and craziness ensues.

Important names: David West Read, who was writer and executive producer on Schitt’s Creek, will write the adaptation and serve as showrunner.

When you can watch: The Big Door Prize does not have a release date yet.

Wool

What it’s about: Set in a ruined and toxic future where a community exists in a giant silo underground, hundreds of stories deep. There, men and women live in a society full of regulations they believe are meant to protect them. Based on the book trilogy by Hugh Howey.

Apple

Important names: Starring Rebecca Ferguson, written by Graham Yost, directed by Morten Tyldum.

When you can watch: Wool has no release date yet.

Hello Tomorrow!

What it’s about: Set in a retro-future world, “Hello Tomorrow!” centers around a group of traveling salesmen hawking lunar timeshares.

Apple

Important names: Billy Crudup stars and executive produces. Jonathan Entwistle is set to direct.

When you can watch: This series has no release date yet.

Big Man on Campus

What it’s about: A documentary series about basketball phenom Makur Maker and his decision to play for Howard University in support of Historically Black Colleges and Universities instead of one of the big-name college basketball schools.

Apple

Important names: Directed and produced by Seth Gordon.

When you can watch: The series does not have a release date yet.

Number One on the Call Sheet

What it’s about: A pair of documentary films that examine the history of black actors and actresses in Hollywood. One focuses on leading men, the other on leading women.

Important names: Producers include Jamie Foxx, Kevin Hart, Datari Turner, Dan Cogan, Angela Bassett, Halle Berry, Reginald Hudlin, and Bryan Smiley.

When you can watch: These two companion films have no release date yet.

Black & Blues: The Colorful Ballad of Louis Armstrong

What it’s about: A documentary film about the life of the pioneering jazz musician. Using a ton of never-before-seen archival footage, the film will tell the story of Armstrong’s life entirely through his own words.

Apple

Important names: Louis Armstrong is the big name here. The film will be directed by Sacha Jenkins.

When you can watch: This film has no release date yet.

Untitled Chuck Barris drama

What it’s about: Gong Show host Chuck Barris famously claimed to be a secret CIA assassin in his autobiography Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, which was made into a feature film in 2002. A Deadline report says Apple is developing an hour-long drama series about Barris as both Gong Show host and CIA assassin.

Important names: Justin Timberlake is attached to star as Chuck Barris.

When you can watch: This series has no release date yet.

The Crowded Room

What it’s about: Inspired by the biography “The Minds of Billy Milligan,” this is a multi-season anthology series that Apple says will, “explore the true and inspirational stories of those who have struggled and learned to successfully live with mental illness.” This is one of a growing list of shows developed and produced by Apple Studios, Apple’s own TV and film production outfit. The first season will be 10 episodes.

Important names: The first season will star Tom Holland with Akiva Goldsman as writer and executive producer.

When you can watch: Apple has no release date for this series yet.

Untitled Maya Rudolph comedy series

What it’s about: Apple describes the show as being about, “Molly, a woman whose seemingly perfect life is upended after her husband leaves her with nothing but 87 billion dollars.” The unnamed comedy series will be comprised of half-hour episodes.

Important names: Molly will be played by Maya Rudolph. The show creators/writers/producers are Alan Yang and Matt Hubbard.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

Lady in the Lake

What it’s about: Apple’s description of this limited series says it “takes place in ’60s Baltimore, where an unsolved murder pushes housewife and mother Maddie Schwartz to reinvent her life as an investigative journalist and sets her on a collision course with Cleo Sherwood, a hard-working woman juggling motherhood, many jobs and a passionate commitment to advancing Baltimore’s Black progressive agenda.”

Important names: It will star Natalie Portman and Lupita Nyong’o. Directed by Alma Har’el.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

In With the Devil

What it’s about: An adaptation of the novel In With The Devil: A Fallen Hero, A Serial Killer, and A Dangerous Bargain for Redemption. The six-episode limited series is told from the point of view of two prisoners who seek redemption for their wrongdoings.

Important names: Stars Ray Liotta, Taron Egerton, and Paul Walter Hauser.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

Roar

What it’s about: An anthology series of “darkly comic feminist fables” with a star-studded cast. Based on a book of short stories by Cecelia Ahern. There will be eight half-hour episodes.

Important names: Some stars attached so far include Nicole Kidman, Allison Brie, Cynthia Erivo, and Merritt Wever.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

The Search for WondLa

What it’s about: Based on the children’s book by Tony DiTerlizzi, which follows the story of Eva Nine, a girl who spent most of her life living underground before being forced to flee outside and survive with a robot named Muthr, an alien named Rovander Kitt, and a water bear named Otto. Apple plans to run at least two seasons of this show.

Important names: Written and produced by Lauren Montgomery.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

Luck

What it’s about: When an unlucky girl stumbles upon the never-before-seen world of good and bad luck, she teams up with magical creatures to uncover a force more powerful than even luck itself.

Important names: The film is directed by Peggy Holmes. 

When you can watch: Luck is currently scheduled to be released in early 2022.

Spellbound

What it’s about: A musical that follows Elian, a young girl who sets out to break the spell that has divided her kingdom in two.

Important names: Directed by Vicky Jenson, with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Glenn Slater.

When you can watch: Spellbound is currently expected to be released in late 2022.

Dolly

What it’s about: Deadline describes it as a “sci-fi courtroom drama in which a robotic ‘companion doll’ kills its owner and then shocks the world by claiming that she is not guilty and asking for a lawyer.”

Important names: Florence Pugh and Vanessa Taylor are attached to star and Drew Pearce will write the script.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

Jane

What it’s about: A kids’ series blending live action and CGI, in which young Jane Garcia leads her friends on missions to save endangered animals. The series was produced in collaboration with the Jane Goodall Institute.

Important names: We don’t yet know who will star in the series. It is being produced in collaboration with the Jane Goodall Institute.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

WeCrashed

What it’s about: A limited series about the rise and fall of the company WeWork. Apple has officially announced the series and will produce it at Apple Studios.

Important names: The big star power here is Anne Hathaway and Jared Leto. The series will be co-written and executive produced by Lee Eisenberg and Drew Crevello.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

Lessons in Chemistry

What it’s about: Variety reports that this will be a drama series based on the upcoming novel by Bonnie Garmus. Set in the 1960s, the story follows a woman who dreams of being a scientist in a world that demands women stay homemakers. She eventually lands a job hosting a TV cooking show and uses it as a platform to teach science to housewives.

Important names: Brie Larson will star, and Susannah Grant will write (she previously won an Academy Award for writing Erin Brockovich).

When you can watch: No release date yet.

Oprah Winfrey biography

What it’s about: Deadline reports that Apple has landed the rights to a two-part biographical documentary film about Oprah Winfrey.

Important names: Oprah, of course. Lisa Erspamer and Kevin McDonald are producing the two-part film.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

Kitbag

What it’s about: According to a Deadline report, this is to be a big historical epic film about Napoleon Bonaparte. The report says production begins early in 2022.

Important names: Joaquin Phoenix is to star as Napoleon, Ridley Scott will direct.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

Untitled sci-fi comedy/drama

What it’s about: We don’t know any details of the plot yet. We only have a report from The Hollywood Reporter that Apple has picked up this project for the Apple Studios production house and that it is a sci-fi comedy/drama.

Important names: Attached are Andy Samberg, Andy Siara, Ben Stiller, and Noah Hawley.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey

What it’s about: Based on the novel of the same name by Walter Mosley, it a bit of a murder mystery thriller featuring a 91-year-old man with dementia as the protagonist. Variety says this is to be a six-episode limited series.

Important names: Samual L. Jackson is to star in the lead role. Walter Mosely is adapting his own book.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

The Last Thing He Told Me

What it’s about: A limited series adaptation of Laura Dave’s upcoming novel of the same name, which is slated to release on May 4, 2021. It tells the tale of a woman who bonds with her 16-year-old stepdaughter while searching for the truth about why her husband has mysteriously disappeared

Important names: The series will star and be executive-produced by Julia Roberts. 

When you can watch: No release date yet.

Dark Matter

What it’s about: A series based on the novel Dark Matter; an alternate-universe thriller about a man who is abducted, drugged, and wakes up in a reality in which he made different choices in the past.

Important names: The series is being adapted as a series by the author Blake Crouch.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

World Surf League documentary

What it’s about: A six-part documentary series following the world’s best surfers as they compete on the World Surf League championship tour.

Important names: The series will be executive-produced by James Gay-Rees, Paul Martin, and Erik Logan.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

Gutsy Women

What it’s about: A documentary series inspired by The Book of Gutsy Women: Favorite Stories of Courage and Resilience by Chelsea and Hillary Clinton. Episodes feature biographies of trailblazing women in a variety of areas.

Important names: Hillary and Chelsea Clinton will executive produce the series with Johnny Webb and Roma Khanna.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

Acapulco

What it’s about: A Spanish-English bilingual half-hour comedy series. A young Mexican man gets his dream job at the hottest resort in Acapulco, but soon realizes it’s far more complicated than he imagined. The show takes place in 1984, with narration from a present-day version of the main character. 

Important names: Austin Winsberg and Chris Harris are co-showrunners. Eugenio Derbez will play the present-day main character and narrate.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

Surface

What it’s about:  Another project from Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine production company (which is responsible for The Morning Show), Deadline reports that Surface is an eight-episode psychological thriller series, but doesn’t have much else to say about it other than production is slated to begin in 2021.

Important names: The series will star and be produced by Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Hannah Shoenfeld in The Morning Show) and will be executive produced by Veronica West (co-creator of High Fidelity).

When you can watch: No release date yet.

Tetris: The Movie

What it’s about: A drama about the creation, licensing, and distribution of one of the most famous and popular games of all time. 

Important names: Taron Egerton stars, with Jon S. Baird directing. The rest of the case has not yet been determined, according to Deadline.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

Platonic

What it’s about: A 10-episode half-hour comedy series about former best friends who met as children and had a falling out, then reconnect as adults and try to mend the rift. Their friendship starts to destabilize their lives.

Important names: The friends are played by Rose Byrne and Seth Rogan. The series is written and directed by Nick Stoller and co-written by Francesca Delbanco.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

Bride

What it’s about: Deadline reports that this is a genre-bending film about an engineered “ideal wife” who rejects her creator, escapes captivity, and discovers her true self.

Important names: The film will star Scarlett Johansson and will be directed by Sebastián Lelio.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

Earthsound

What it’s about: A natural history documentary series that uses new audio technology and cinematic 360-degree audio to reveal untold nature stories from every continent.

Important names: It will be executive produced by Alex Williamson, and the series producer is Sam Hodgson.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

The Supermodels

What it’s about: A documentary series exploring the careers of Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, and Christy Turlington. Four models whose fame and prestige made them bigger names than the fashion brands and designers they showcased.

Important names: Outside of the four aforementioned models, the series is directed by Barbara Kopple, who has two academy awards.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

The Sky is Everywhere

What it’s about: Based on the book by Jandy Nelson, it’s about a teen who is trying to work through the loss of her sister. 

Important names: Cherry Jones plays the teen’s grandmother, Jason Segel plays her uncle.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

High Desert

What it’s about: A half-hour comedy about a former addict in Yucca Valley, CA, who makes a new start after the death of her mother, deciding to become a private investigator.

Important names: The first episode will be directed by Ben Stiller (who also produces) and the series will star Patricia Arquette.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

Five Days at Memorial

What it’s about: From the novel by Sheri Fink that documents the first five days at a New Orleans hospital after hurricane Katrina made landfall.

Important names: The series will be directed by John Ridley and star Vera Farmiga.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

The Essex Serpent

What it’s about: This adaptation of a novel by Sarah PerryRemove non-product link is set in 1893. Recently-widowed Cora Seaborne relocates to Essex, where a mythical creature that once roamed the marshes has returned.

Important names: Claire Danes will play the lead role. Clio Barnard is the director.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

My Kind of Country

What it’s about: A music competition series that Apple describes as having a, “fresh, new documentary sensibility. The hybrid series will break down cultural and musical barriers in the country music space, inviting innovative musicians to unleash their authentic voices and take center stage.”

Important names: Adam Blackstone will serve as musical director of the series. We don’t know know who the host(s) will be or the contestants.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

Untitled Idris Elba spy film

What it’s about: According to Variety, this is to be a “spy movie with romance set in Africa” but little else is known about the nascent project. The report says it’s early in production. 

Important names: The film will star Idris Elba and is produced by Simon Kinberg and Audrey Chon.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

Harriet the Spy

What it’s about: A new animated series based on the very popular and much-loved children’s books of the same name.

Important names: The series stars Beanie Feldstein and Jane Lynch.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

Shining Girls

What it’s about: An adaptation of the best-selling novel by Lauren Beukes. Moss plays a Chicago reporter who survives an assault and hunts down her attacker to find he is traveling through time from depression-era Chicago to hunt a series of women—Shining Girls—with extraordinary potential.

Important names: Elisabeth Moss will star and executive produce. Silka Luisa will adapt the novel for TV and serve as showrunner.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

Echo 3

What it’s about: An adaptation of the Isreali show When Heroes Fly. The Hollywood Reporter says that the 10-episode series will center around a young American scientist that goes missing along the Colombia-Venezuela border. Her brother and her husband struggle set out in search of her and discover more than they expected. The series features both English and Spanish language dialogue.

Important names: The showrunners will be Mark Boal and Jason Horwitch. The cast includes Luke Evans and Michiel Huisman.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

Snow Blind

What it’s about: When a high school student in a small Alaskan town posts a photo of his dad online, and discovers that his family is in the Witness Protection Program. A man seeking revenge soon finds them, the FBI shows up…but what if his dad’s reasons for going into the program aren’t as innocent as he says?

Important names: Jake Gyllenhaal is set to start with Gustav Möller directing.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

Emancipation

What it’s about: Will Smith plays Peter, a runaway slave in Louisiana who has to evade capture as he makes his way to the North, where he joins the Union Army. 

Important names: The film stars Will Smith and is directed by Antoine Fuqua with a script by William N Collage.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

The Afterparty

What it’s about: A comedy murder-mystery set in a high school reunion afterparty. Each of the eight episodes will feature a retelling of the same night told through a different character’s perspective, each with its own unique visual format and film genre to match the teller’s personality.

Important names: The series is created by Chris Miller and Phil Lord, who worked together on projects like The LEGO Movie and Spider Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

Hedy Lamarr series

What it’s about: According to The Hollywood Reporter, it’s an eight-episode series about the 1930s and 40s actress and inventor Hedy Lamarr (whose frequency-hopping radio technology is still the basis for many modern wireless communications).

Important names: Gal Gadot is set to star as Lamarr, with a script written by Sarah Treem.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

Where the Wild Things Are

What it’s about: Apple has struck an overall deal with The Maurice Sendak Foundation to produce shows or series based on the author’s works for children. The most famous of these, by far, is Where the Wild Things Are.

Important names: Apple is working with longtime Sendak collaborator Arthur Yorinks and his production studio Night Kitchen Studios.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

Killers of the Flower Moon

What it’s about: Based on the book Killers Of The Flower Moon: The Osage Murders And The Birth Of The FBI. It tells the story of a series of murders of wealthy Osage Native Americans in Oklahoma in the 1920s after oil was found on their land. According to Deadline, Paramount will distribute the film in theaters, while it will be an Apple TV+ streaming exclusive.

Important names: Directed by Martin Scorsese, with Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro in the leading roles.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

Fraggle Rock reboot

What it’s about: After producing a few shorts (Fraggle Rock: Rock On!), Apple has struck a deal with the Jim Henson Company to produce a full reboot of the classic kids show. 

Important names: The Jim Henson Company is in the driver’s seat again.

When you can watch: The original shows became available on May 27, 2020. There is no release date yet for the reboot.

Custom of the Country

What it’s about: A limited-series adaptation of the Edith Wharton novel The Custom of the Country. The novel, published in the early 20th century, is about a midwestern girl who climbs the ladder of New York high society.

Important names: The big one is Sofia Coppola, who is developing the series for Apple. No word yet on whether she will direct it.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

Suspicion

What it’s about: Based on the Israeli series False Flag, Apple describes the show as a “high-paced thriller about the kidnapping of the son of a prominent American businesswoman. Twenty-one-year-old Leo’s abduction from a large, upmarket hotel in central New York is captured on video and goes viral. Swiftly, four British citizens staying at the hotel become the prime suspects. But are they guilty of any more than being in the wrong place at the wrong time?”

Important names: The mother of the son who is kidnapped is played by Uma Thurman. The series also stars Kunal Nayyar, Noah Emmerich, Georgina Campbell, Elyes Gabel, Elizabeth Henstridge, and Angel Coulby.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

Untitled 4-Part Documentary Series

What it’s about: According to Deadline, all we know is that it tells the, “unbelievable true story of one of the largest scams in government history.”

Important names: The documentary series is produced by Brian Lazarte and James Lee Hernandez, who produced the hit documentary series McMillion$.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

What it’s about: A limited series anthology about climate change. It follows a group of interconnected human tales to show how every aspect of our world is going to be changing in the near future.

Important names: The show is expected to be produced by Scott Z. Burns, the writer and director of documentary hits An Inconvenient Truth and The Report. 

When you can watch: No release date yet.

Swan Song

What it’s about: Apple describes it like this: Set in the near future, the film explores how far someone will go, and how much they’ll sacrifice, to make a happier life for the people they love.

Important names: The film stars Mahershala Ali, who won Oscars for his roles in Moonlight and Green Book. It is written and directed by Benjamin Cleary.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

Slow Horses

What it’s about: When the British MI-5 agency’s spies screw up their career, they are sent to the “Slough House” to while away their days doing unimportant work. They are referred to by the rest of the agency as “Slow Horses,” hence the TV show title. There are more than six books in Mick Herron’s “Slough House” series, with more on the way.

Important names: Gary Oldman is to star (he doesn’t do a lot of TV!) as Jackson Lamb, the leader of the Slough House spies.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

Severance

What it’s about: According to The Hollywood Reporter, Severance is a workplace thriller that is set at Lumen Industries, a company looking to take work-life balance to a new level. It focuses on Mark, an employee with a dark past trying to put himself back together. Apple has ordered a 10-episode series.

Important names: Adam Scott has signed on to play Mark, and the series will be directed and produced by Ben Stiller. Patricia Arquette will play Mark’s boss. Christopher Walkin and John Turturro have roles, too.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

A Christmas Carol

What it’s about: A musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol starring Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds. You know: Scrooge, three ghosts, Bah Humbug, etc…

Important names: Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds star. 

When you can watch: No release date yet.

El Gato Negro

What it’s about: Based on Richard Dominguez’s comic book about an aging luchador who teams up with his grandson to use the El Gato Negro persona to fight crime in South Texas.

Important names: Robert Rodriguez will direct and produce, while Diego Boneta will star and also produce.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

Masters of the Air

What it’s about: A limited series about the bombers of World War II. It is something of a follow-up to the hit HBO series Band of Brothers. Nearly all of the content on Apple TV+, while original and exclusive, is produced by outside production companies and studios. But according to Variety, Apple is also building its own internal studio, named Masters, and this is its first project.

Important names: It will be written by one of Band of Brothers writers, John Orloff, with Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks once again on as executive producers. Several other producers and alumni of Band of Brothers will be involved with the project, too.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

Sharper

What it’s about: Tells the story of a con artist among the billionaire elites of Manhattan.

Important names: Julianne Moore will star and produce, with A24 as the studio and Picturestart as the production company.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

Swagger

What it’s about: Apple is developing a drama series inspired by the early life and career of NBA superstar Kevin Durant and his youth basketball experiences. It is not a biopic of Kevin Durant’s life, however.

(Durant used to play for the Golden State Warriors, of which Apple VP Eddy Cue is a huge superfan.)

Important names: The series will be written and directed by Reggie Rock Bythewood, best known for the TV series Shots Fired and for writing the Notorious B.I.G. biopic Notorious. Winston Duke was originally cast in the lead role, but he suffered an injury on set and couldn’t continue. O’Shea Jackson Jr. (Ice Cube in Straight Outta Compton) will take over the lead role.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

The Sky is Everywhere

What it’s about: According to a report from The Hollywood Reporter, Apple has teamed up with indie production company A24 to produce a film adaptation of the young adult novel The Sky is Everywhere.

The novel tells the story of a high school girl whose older sister suddenly dies. She forms a relationship with her sister’s former fiancé and also with the new boy in town, who loves music as she does. Amid the coping with the loss of her sister, she has to choose between these two romantic entanglements.

Important names: Josephine Decker will direct and produce, and author Jandy Nelson will write the screen adaptation of her own book.

When you can watch:No release date yet.

Prehistoric Planet

What it’s about: Apple has ordered a new natural history series from Jon Favreau and Mike Gunton. The CGI-heavy series will be produced by BBC Studios’ Natural History Unit, and will follow the last days of the dinosaurs. 

Important names: Jon Favreau made waves using CG animals in The Jungle Book and The Lion King, and Mike Gunton produced Planet Earth II.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

Brie Larson CIA biography series

What it’s about: A report in Variety says that Apple has made a direct-to-series order for a new drama based on the real-life experiences of CIA undercover operative Amaryllis Fox. Fox has a hot novel named Life Undercover: Coming of Age in the CIA that released in October 2019. 

Important names: Brie Larson will star and executive produce the series.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

My Glory Was I Had Such Friends

What it’s about: A report from Variety says that Apple has made a direct-to-series order of My Glory Was I Had Such Friends. The limited series, based on the Amy Silverstein memoir about a woman awaiting heart surgery and the women who supported her, will star Jennifer Garner and be executive produced by J.J. Abrams through his Bad Robot production company.

Important names: J.J. Abrams and Jennifer Garner are working together again for the first time since the show Alias.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

Losing Earth

What it’s about: This summer, The New York Times Magazine published an epic feature titled, “Losing Earth: The Decade We Almost Stopped Climate Change.” At over 30,000 words, it took up an entire issue of the magazine and earned critical acclaim. It focused on how, from 1979 to 1989, a small team of scientists, activists, and politicians tried to stop climate change while there was still time. 

We don’t know the format the show will take, but The New York Times specifically calls it a “series.” Based on the source material, it seems like a single-season limited series makes the most sense.

Important names: The article’s author, Nathaniel Rich, will serve as executive producer together with Anonymous Content founder and CEO Steve Golin.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

Pachinko

What it’s about: The best-selling novel Pachinko follows four generations of a Korean immigrant family, following the line from Korea to Japan and finally America. The New York Times named it one of the 10 best books of 2017.

According to Variety, Apple has secured the rights to develop Min Jin Lee’s novel into a series. A later report in The Hollywood Reporter stated that Apple has moved from simply optioning the novel to ordering a full eight episodes. It’s not clear if it’s a single season of a multi-season arc, or just an eight-episode miniseries.

Important names: It will be written and directed by Soo Hugh, who was the showrunner for the first season of AMC’s The Terror. Min-Ho Lee (Boys Over Flowers) and Jin Ha (Devs) will star.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

Time Bandits

What it’s about: Terry Gilliam’s time-traveling adventure comedy Time Bandits may make its way to the small screen in a TV series. Deadline reports that Apple is buying up the rights to make a TV show of the cult classic film.

The film, about a young boy who gets caught up with a troupe of thieves as they hop across history to steal treasure, ever on the run from the “supreme being” from whom they’ve stolen their time map, is good fodder for a TV show. But the film has a dedicated cult following who will place high demands on maintaining the film’s heart and quirky sense of British humor.

Important names: Terry Gilliam will have an executive producer role, but will not write for the show. A report in Variety says that the series will be directed by Taika Waititi, whose quirky film What We Do in the Shadows earned him a cult following, and who earned huge international acclaim for his direction of Thor: Rangrarok and Jojo Rabbit. 

When you can watch: No release date yet.

Shantaram

What it’s about: The hit novel Shantaram has a somewhat tumultuous history in Hollywood. According to Variety, the book was first to be developed as a film, with Johnny Depp having acquired the book rights and Warner Bros. producing with Joel Edgerton in the starring role. Then, the plans were scrapped and the rights auctioned off, with Anonymous Content and Paramount Television winning the rights to Shantaram and its sequel novel The Mountain Shadow.

Gregory David Roberts’ novel tells the story of Lin, an escaped convict from a maximum security Australian prison. On the run and cut off from friends and family, he disappears into the Bombay underground in India.

Important names: Eric Warren Singer (American Hustle, The International) will write and executive produce the series. According to a report from Variety, the lead character will be payed by Charlie Hunnam, who is known for his work on Sons of Anarchy and for starring in Pacific Rim.

When you can watch:No release date yet.

You Think It, I’ll Say It

What it’s about:  According to Variety, Apple has ordered a 10-episode, half-hour run of a new comedy variety show. The show is inspired by Curtis Sittenfeld’s collection of short stories You Think It, I’ll Say It.

Important names: SNL alum Kristen Wiig was set to star, but pulled out citing scheduling conflicts with Wonder Woman 1984. The show is created and produced by Colleen McGuinness (30 Rock, About a Boy).

When you can watch: This project does not yet have a title or release date.

Damien Chazelle drama series

What it’s about: According to Variety, Apple has gone straight-to-series (ordered a whole season of a series without first shooting a pilot) on a drama by Damien Chazelle. Chazelle is the acclaimed writer and director of La La Land and Whiplash, and is currently working on a Neil Armstrong biopic called First Man.

No details have been given about the series at all, except that Chazelle will write and direct every episode. We don’t know the subject matter, the stars, the length of each episode…really nothing at all. 

Important names: Chazelle is the acclaimed writer and director of La La Land and Whiplash, and is currently working on a Neil Armstrong biopic called First Man.

When you can watch: No release date yet.

Untitled Sexual Assault Documentary

What it’s about: This documentary film follows a former music executive who is debating whether publicly tell her story of assault and abuse by a notable figure in the industry.

Important names: The film was executive produced by Oprah Winfrey, with Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering (The Hunting Ground) directing and producing.

Update 01/13/20: Oprah Winfrey has stepped away from the project, issuing the following statement:

First and foremost, I want it to be known that I unequivocally believe and support the women. Their stories deserve to be told and heard. In my opinion, there is more work to be done on the film to illuminate the full scope of what the victims endured, and it has become clear that the filmmakers and I are not aligned in that creative vision. Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering are talented filmmakers. I have great respect for their mission but given the filmmakers’ desire to premiere the film at the Sundance Film Festival before I believe it is complete, I feel it’s best to step aside. I will be working with Time’s Up to support the victims and those impacted by abuse and sexual harassment.

When you can watch: As a result of Oprah leaving the project, it will no longer appear on Apple TV+.

I have written professionally about technology for my entire adult professional life – over 20 years. I like to figure out how complicated technology works and explain it in a way anyone can understand.

https://www.macworld.com/article/340717/apple-tv-plus-upcoming-shows-future-moves-series-release-dates-film-television.html
AppleTV 4 Jailbreak (appletv4jailbreak.com)