By Josh Nason
I am what the kids call a “fraidy cat” in that I don’t like the horror genre, especially anything to do with gore. Blecch! (Do the kids use that reference? I don’t have the TikTok.)
That’s why I was initially hesitant to try Widow’s Bay as I heard that “horror” word tied to it, but it also features the best damn TV actor going in Matthew Rhys so I really wanted to check it out. So, I pulled a blanket up close, put on all the lights in my house and my neighbor’s house to be safe, and clicked ‘Play.’
Did I survive? Can I sleep? Do I owe my neighbor for his electric bill? Find that out and more plus whether you should give this a shot if you had the same hesitations. It’s time for a new Should You Watch.
Should You Watch Widow’s Bay (Apple TV)?
How many seasons?
One with a second confirmed.
How many episodes?
Ten.
What type of show is it?
A horror comedy though I would say it’s more a supernatural comedy with horror elements.
What year(s)?
2026.
Where can I currently find it?
Apple TV.
Who is it for?
For those who like creepy mystery box shows with some laughs along the way.
What’s the commit level?
A tremendous 414 total minutes or a smidge under seven hours. You can chop off 30 minutes by skipping the credits. Many of the episodes are in the 30 minute range, making this a great binge watch.
Is there a bailout episode?
If you aren’t feeling this after the first episode, jump into the bay.
Any interesting background in the show’s creation?
The show was created by Katie Dippold, who was a writer on the great Parks & Recreation and on the movie side, she also wrote The Heat and co-wrote the 2016 Ghostbusters reboot in addition to Haunted Mansion. How about that? She’s also had this idea on the back burner for nearly 20 years which means that old novel you wrote has a chance yet.
All-time great Hiro Murai directed five episodes and is an executive producer. Enough said.
The show is based in a fictional New England coastal town and actually was filmed in Massachussetts in 2025 which included the one and only Worcester, immortalized by Adam Sandler back in the day.
Are there actors the average TV watcher would recognize?
Matthew Rhys, Stephen Root, Betty Gilpin and to a lesser extent, Kevin Carroll, Hamish Linklater, Dale Dickey and Kingston Rumi Southwick.
What’s the reaction been?
Overwhelmingly positive. Rotten Tomatoes has this at a 98/93 split while Metacritic has a 78 (generally favorable). It’s early, but it’s already been nominated for some smaller awards and is up for several Television Critic Awards. There’s also Emmy buzz but not all of the episodes are eligible this year. Here’s why.
What’s the main plot in a sentence?
A well-meaning mayor in a small New England island town tries to bring it forward while supernatural forces he doesn’t believe in find ways to hold those efforts back.
What’s the rewatch factor?
Medium as this is the type of show I want to go back through to help put some pieces together, especially before the second season comes out.
If you like these shows or movies, you’ll like this:
Lost, Parks & Rec, Barry, Severance
Is this a first or second screen show?
First. Don’t look away.
Should you watch Widow’s Bay?
An unequivocal yes, yes, yes.
Lost is one of my top six favorite TV shows of all time and when my great friend Andrew said he was feeling similar vibes with the Bay, I was extremely skeptical. While not a direct descendent, there are some definite Dharma Initiative and The Island vibes with this as the show goes along.
This is a funny show and after learning Dippold was on the Parks & Rec team, it all made sense. It balances the weight of comedy vs. the serious tone so perfectly, it’s astonishing — a word you really don’t hear used a lot these days because it’s too long for texts.
While I have heard comparisons to The Fog and The Mist and The Foggy Mist, I was never scared once and again, fraidy cat here. I also have never seen either of those movies and one of them is fake. I even watched at night with the lights off. Take that. If you’re hoping for true horror or terror, it’s not here. I heard it described as horror lore which I agree with.
I could go on and on about Rhys, but if you know, you know. The supporting cast is great, led by Root (if you haven’t seen Barry, wtf are you doing?) and Kate O’Flynn who I had never heard of. There’s an episode featuring O’Flynn and an event she tries to put on that has an incredible “holy sh*t” twist and a laugh out loud joke about a Spotify subscription. Root plays a great antagonist/ally that also has a heart and his character improves throughout the series.
The series never drags, the episodes are quick hit and leave you wanting more, and there’s a real interesting story here that I can’t wait to see unfold. This feels like a three season run that isn’t going to overstay its welcome. I just hope it doesn’t take years to come out.
Should you watch Widow’s Bay? 100%.
