10 Apple TV Shows That Outshine Netflix Originals in Quality

10 Apple TV Shows Better Than Anything On Netflix Keeley Ted Lasso

Photo: HBO via MovieStillsDB.

By Arielle Port Published 8 minutes ago Arielle Port started as a TV producer, developing content for Netflix (Firefly Lane, Brazen) and Hallmark (The Santa Stakeout, A Christmas Treasure) before transitioning into entertainment journalism. Her love of story went from interest to lifelong passion while at The University of Pennsylvania, where she fell in with a student-run web series, Classless TV, and it was a gateway drug. Arielle Port has been a Writer for Screen Rant since August 2024. She lives in Los Angeles with her boyfriend and more importantly, her cat, Boseman. Sign in to your ScreenRant account Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

Netflix has more output and subscribers, but Apple TV's incredible catalog deserves some love. Netflix series tend to be micro-targeted, each designed to attract a specific demographic. While this leads to a lot of volume, most series are forgettable.

There’s a reason many Netflix Top 10 Series each week aren’t always just Netflix originals. Some exceptions break of course - like Stranger Things, Bridgerton, and Wednesday - but many Netflix shows struggle to be culturally resonant because of binge drops. At a moment when every streamer seems to be slashing budgets, Apple TV has the luxury of playing by different rules.

With Apple footing the bill, budgets simply aren’t a problem, allowing the service to take massive creative swings — including $15-million-per-episode bets like Vince Gilligan’s Pluribus. Apple has a deep bench of shows, many based on bestselling novels, and the service offers some of the best yet underrated original shows.

Schmigadoon!

Musical Comedy (2 Seasons)

Schmigadoon! is an underrated musical-comedy gem and one of Apple TV’s boldest swings. It's a loving, meticulously crafted homage to Golden Age in season 1 and Sondheim/concept musicals in season 2. Cecily Strong and Keegan-Michael Key lead the series as a modern couple who become accidentally trapped in the enchanted, hyper-theatrical retro world of Schmigadoon.

Surrounding them is a dazzling lineup of Broadway royalty, including Kristin Chenoweth, Alan Cumming, Ariana DeBose, Martin Short, and Tituss Burgess, all clearly relishing the chance to parody and celebrate classic musicals in equal measure. Netflix has nothing remotely as ambitious—or as flawlessly executed—as a full-scale original musical series on this level, making Schmigadoon! a standout triumph.

Each season spoofed musicals from the next decade, and the music for Schmigadoon! season 3 was reportedly written before its cancellation. Apple would be foolhardy not to at least stage or tape a read-through.

The Afterparty

Multi-Genre Comedy Murder Mystery Anthology (2 Seasons)

The cast of The Afterparty season 2 see the dead body

The Afterparty has one of the cleverest conceits in recent TV: a murder mystery where each suspect’s retelling transforms the flashbacks into a completely different genre. One episode might be a rom-com, the next a musical, or an action thriller - all anchored by Tiffany Haddish’s unflappable detective and Sam Richardson’s lovably earnest romantic.

Both seasons tackle a new death, creating the perfect framework for standout guest stars like John Cho and Ken Jeong in season 2. Admittedly, The Afterparty season 3 risked running out of fresh genre sandboxes, but the show’s creative ambition was unmatched. Netflix simply doesn’t have anything that blends comedy, mystery, and formal experimentation like this inventive Apple TV original.

Dickinson

Period Comedy-Drama (3 Seasons)

Hailee Steinfeld shines as the poet Emily Dickinson in Apple TV’s irreverent period piece. Dickinson is a fun, stylized, queer imagining of the poet’s life, blending contemporary humor and music with 19th-century settings. The series is lush and visually sumptuous, echoing the production values of Netflix’s Bridgerton.

However, its tone is closer to the playful absurdity of Our Flag Means Death on HBO Max or a slightly less satirical version of The Great on Hulu. By balancing wit, whimsy, and emotional depth, Dickinson delivers a unique viewing experience that neither Netflix nor other streamers have matched, proving Apple’s willingness to take bold, genre-blending creative risks.

Foundation

Epic Sci-Fi Drama (3 Seasons - Renewed For Season 4)

Laura Birn as Demerzel in Foundation season 3

Foundation is Apple TV’s revolutionary sci-fi epic, adapting Isaac Asimov’s classic saga about the collapse and rebirth of a galactic empire. The series combines political intrigue, philosophy, and high-concept science fiction, with massive production design and ambitious storytelling that spans centuries and multiple planets.

Its scope and ambition elevate it above anything Netflix has attempted in the space opera realm. While Netflix’s The OA offers surreal, multi-dimensional storytelling with mystery and existential themes, Foundation does it bigger and better, delivering cinematic spectacle, complex characters, and a galaxy-spanning narrative that feels truly epic. Apple’s commitment to prestige sci-fi shines in every frame.

Pachinko

Drama (2 Seasons)

Kyunghee (Jung Eun-chae) and Kim Sungkyu (Kim Chang-ho) say goodbye amidst tears in Pachinko Season 2 Episode 7Image via Apple TV+

Pachinko is Apple TV’s sweeping, multi-generational drama based on Min Jin Lee’s bestselling novel. It follows a Korean family across four generations as they navigate love, war, displacement, and survival in Japan and Korea. The series is visually sumptuous, emotionally resonant, and anchored by deeply human performances, blending historical scope with intimate storytelling.

It’s a prestige saga that combines cultural specificity, family drama, and operatic storytelling in a way rarely seen on streaming. While Netflix offers plenty of international dramas, none match the scale, ambition, or awards-worthy quality of Pachinko season 2, making it a standout example of Apple TV’s ability to deliver globally resonant, high-end drama.

Silo

Sci-Fi Dystopian Drama (2 Seasons - Renewed For 2 More Seasons)

Rebecca Ferguson as Juliette Nichols in Silo

Silo is Apple TV’s sci-fi dystopian drama based on Hugh Howey’s best-selling novel. Set in a post-apocalyptic underground silo where humanity survives under strict rules, the series follows Juliette (Rebecca Ferguson), a mechanic whose curiosity and courage challenge the system.

Unlike some sci-fi that goes big and epic, Silo thrives as a claustrophobic, character-driven drama, using world-building as its hook. Anchored by compelling performances, it blends mystery, suspense, and emotional stakes, delivering a high-concept story that keeps viewers guessing.

Its slow-burn plotting and grounded yet expansive setting make it a standout in prestige science fiction. Netflix has several dystopian series, but none match the tension, depth, or polish of Silo.

Slow Horses

British Spy Thriller (5 Seasons - Renewed For 2 More Seasons)

Gary Oldman's Jackson Lamb looking worried while sitting in a chair in Slow Horses season 5Courtesy: Apple TV+

Slow Horses is Apple TV’s sharply written British spy thriller, based on Mick Herron’s acclaimed Slough House novels, that has captured audiences with its blend of dark humor, suspense, and richly drawn characters. Following a team of disgraced MI5 agents, the series delights viewers with its mix of biting wit, office‑politics tension, and high-stakes espionage.

Gary Oldman leads the stellar Slow Horses cast, bringing gravitas and nuance, while the ensemble adds unexpected charm and unpredictability. Fans love its character-driven storytelling, clever dialogue, and the way it balances the mundane and the dangerous. Netflix has shows with intrigue, but Slow Horses stands out for its uniquely sardonic tone, layered character work, and dry, quintessentially British humor.

The Studio

Satirical Cringe Comedy (1 Season - Renewed For Season 2)

Matt (Seth Rogen), Sal (Ike Barinholtz), Quinn (Chase Sui Wonders), and Maya (Kathryn Hahn) having an intense conversation around a desk in The Studio

The Studio is Seth Rogen’s more affectionate take on Entourage, a series that both celebrates and gently lampoons the Hollywood machine. Rogen stars as Matt Remick, the overwhelmed, frazzled studio executive constantly negotiating compromises and managing chaos.

The show is ambitious and a little niche. It pushes creative boundaries with The Studio "oner" episode shot in a single take from start to finish.

The Studio is a loving homage to the film industry, which naturally made it awards-friendly, earning Apple 13 Emmy wins, including Outstanding Comedy Series and Lead Actor for Rogen—ironically, for a show about making movies. Netflix has nothing quite like it, and frankly, no other streamer does either.

Ted Lasso

Feel-Good Comedy (3 Seasons - Season 4 Coming)

Jason Sudeikis as Ted and Hannah Waddingham as Rebecca in Ted Lasso

Ted Lasso is the poster child for Apple TV's original programming. Jason Sudeikis’ titular coach, a relentlessly optimistic and lovable character, anchors a perfect feel-good sitcom praised for its performances, sharp writing, clever humor, and uplifting themes. The incredible Ted Lasso ensemble cast adds depth and charm, making each episode both funny and heartfelt.

Even though a new season hasn’t aired since 2023, Ted Lasso remains consistently in Apple’s top 10 shows, with a rebooted fourth season reportedly in the works. While Netflix offers plenty of teen romcoms and lighthearted series, the specific blend of heart, humor, and life-affirming optimism that defines Ted Lasso is extraordinarily difficult to replicate elsewhere.

Severance

Sci-Fi Psychological Workplace Thriller (2 Seasons - Renewed For Season 3)

Adam Scott walks down a hallway with balloons in Severance

Severance is a phenomenon that could only exist on a streamer like Apple, with deep pockets and no strict timelines. Created by Dan Erickson and primarily directed by Ben Stiller, the series is deeply weird, darkly psychological, and utterly addictive. It only got better in Severance season 2. Iconic imagery, like Adam Scott sprinting down the sterile halls or Gwendolyn Christie with the goats, sticks in the mind even for those who haven’t watched.

Three years passed between seasons one and two, but hopefully season three arrives well before 2028. It’s delightfully ironic that such an anti-corporate show comes from one of the world’s largest companies, yet Apple TV’s freedom to take creative risks makes it possible. Netflix should take note and embrace bolder, stranger storytelling.

Apple TV

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