Apple TV’s 2026 slate gains attention with new and returning series
The service’s smaller catalog is drawing fresh notice as The Verge points to new shows and returning franchises in 2026.
By Maya Lindqvist · Senior Technology Correspondent
2 min read
Apple TV’s 2026 programming slate is drawing attention for pairing new series with established shows, according to The Verge. The coverage matters for streaming viewers because Apple’s service has long stood apart by offering a smaller catalog than larger rivals while trying to build a reputation around select releases.
Andrew Webster of The Verge reported that Apple TV, previously branded Apple TV Plus, has fewer shows and movies than Netflix or Disney Plus. Webster wrote that the service has developed a reputation for generally strong projects despite that smaller volume, a record he said has invited comparisons to an earlier era of HBO.
The Verge described 2026 as a strong year for the platform, citing a lineup that stretches across several genres. Webster pointed to new titles alongside ongoing series as evidence that the service is finding a steadier rhythm after several years in the market.
New series lead the year
Among the new Apple TV shows highlighted by The Verge is Widow’s Bay, which Webster described as both frightening and funny. The Verge’s coverage framed the series as a standout in horror programming for the year.
Webster also identified Margo’s Got Money Troubles and Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed as part of the 2026 slate. According to The Verge, the two shows deal with stories involving single mothers and sex workers, but approach those subjects from different angles.
The lineup also includes a remake of Cape Fear, according to The Verge. Webster reported that the new version features Amy Adams, Javier Bardem and Juliette Lewis, and characterized the production as a high-profile, unruly take on the property.
Returning shows round out the schedule
The Verge reported that Apple TV’s new releases are arriving alongside continuing shows that have already built audiences over multiple years. Webster cited returning favorites as part of what has made the 2026 slate feel more complete.
One of those returning titles is Silo, which The Verge has covered in connection with its third season. The site has also covered Sugar in connection with its second season, including Colin Farrell’s detective character.
Webster’s assessment presents Apple TV as a service benefiting from both sides of its catalog: fresh series that broaden its genre mix and older properties that give subscribers familiar shows to return to. The Verge’s report did not include audience totals or subscriber figures for the platform.
This story draws on original reporting from The Verge.