A thrilling new crime drama that premiered this week on Apple TV is being hailed as a must-watch for fans of shows like High Potential. Titled Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed, the series is already generating buzz as one of the best new shows of 2026.
What is Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed?
Created by David J Rosen, Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed is a dark comedy that debuted on Wednesday, 20th May, with two gripping episodes that have left audiences hooked. The show stars Tatiana Maslany, known for her role in She-Hulk and her Emmy-winning performance in Orphan Black, alongside Jake Johnson from New Girl. Critics have compared it to Disney+ and Hulu's hit crime-comedy High Potential due to its morbid sense of humour, off-kilter tone, and unexpected twists.
Plot Overview
Maslany plays Paula, a professional fact checker and divorced mother who gets entangled in a web of murder and blackmail after witnessing a bizarre crime. While locked in a gruelling custody battle with her ex-husband Karl (Johnson), she seeks solace in sessions with camboy Trevor (Brandon Flynn). However, she is horrified to witness Trevor being brutally attacked and confused when his assailant leaves her a cryptic message. Despite the police dismissing it as a scam, Paula's investigation uncovers a sinister conspiracy.
Critical Acclaim
The Guardian awarded the series a four-star review, calling it a "totally bingeable thriller that will glue you to your seat." Christopher Rosen of The Ankler declared on X: "This show, without a doubt, is the best new series I’ve watched this year — and it’s not even close. Just completely rips — twisty, surprising, fun. Maslany rules, weaponized Jake Johnson." Jeff Sneider of Entertainment Weekly agreed: "MAXIMUM PLEASURE GUARANTEED lives up to its title, as this show RULES. Best soundtrack of the year and a fantastic performance from Tatiana Maslany at its center. Features one of the gnarliest kills I've ever seen on TV."
Fans have also praised the show, with one claiming the first episode was "scarier than any horror movie I’ve seen all year." TV critic Kaiya Shunyata noted: "I reviewed MAXIMUM PLEASURE GUARANTEED, which might be the best new show of the year. It’s funny, hyper-stylized, and features a captivating performance from Tatiana Maslany that rivals her work in ORPHAN BLACK." An IMDb user described the premiere as "quite intense" and praised its unpredictability.
Cast and Availability
The series features a stellar supporting cast, including Murray Bartlett from The White Lotus and Jessy Hodges from Barry. Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed is essential viewing for fans of unpredictable TV thrillers. New episodes release Wednesdays on Apple TV.
