Apple TV's new horror-comedy series Widow's Bay has achieved a rare 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes following its first reviews. The 10-part show, which premieres on April 29, stars Matthew Rhys, Kate O'Flynn, and Stephen Root.
Set on a New England island, the series blends jump scares with comedic timing, courtesy of writer Katie Dippold. Critics have praised its balance of terror and humour, with Slant magazine noting it 'leaves you watching through your fingers one moment and belly-laughing the next.' The Daily Beast called it 'the best new show of the year.'
The plot follows Mayor Tom Loftis (Rhys), who tries to revive his struggling community by turning it into a tourist hotspot, despite locals believing the island is cursed. As tourists return, old legends resurface, leading to a gripping mystery that includes a flashback episode exploring the island's dark origins.
Underneath the scares and laughs, the show tackles themes of grief, second chances, and small-town decay. Two shocking twists in the final episodes leave viewers questioning whether the curse can be broken. Screen Rant noted that while every horror trope is present, they are 'masterfully woven together through the eyes of quirky residents.'
Rhys told HELLO! that he was drawn to the script's ability to make him 'laugh out loud and also gasp.' Root, who previously worked with Rhys on Perry Mason, said the decision to join was easy, while O'Flynn called the scripts 'amazing.'
