Viewers are hooked on Apple TV’s new horror comedy, Widow’s Bay, after the release of its first three episodes on Wednesday.

Matthew Rhys (The Beast in Me) stars as the mayor of a small, sleepy town in New England, whose big plans to turn the island into a tourist destination are thwarted by eccentric locals who believe the town is cursed.

© Apple TV
Matthew Rhys stars in Widow’s Bay

I’m seriously looking forward to tuning into Widow’s Bay. Not only is it created and executive produced by Katie Dippold, who was a writer and story editor on one of my favourite comedies, the Emmy and Golden Globe-winning Parks and Recreation, but it’s also directed by Emmy Award winner Hiro Murai, known for his work on the tense kitchen drama The Bear.

Keep reading to find out what viewers and critics have said about the show…

What is Widow’s Bay about?

The ten-part series is set in Widow’s Bay, a quaint island town 40 miles off the coast of New England where there’s no Wi-Fi, spotty cellular reception and its locals are convinced that their island is cursed.

Matthew Rhys plays Mayor Tom Loftis, who is determined to revive his struggling community

© Apple TV
Jeff Hiller and Kate O’Flynn also star in the show

The synopsis continues: “He wants these people to respect him. They don’t. They think he is soft and cowardly. And he is. But Loftis is determined to build a better future for his teenage son and turn the island into a tourist destination. Miraculously, he succeeds: tourists are finally coming.

“Unfortunately, the locals were right. After decades of calm, the old stories that seemed too ludicrous to be true start happening again.”

What have viewers said about Widow’s Bay?

Viewers have hailed the new horror as “brilliant.” One person wrote on social media: “@AppleTV new horror comedy series is an absolute blast… really enjoying it,” while another encouraged others to tune in, adding: “Pay for Apple TV and you won’t regret it, currently hooked on Widows Bay.”

Matthew Rhys stars as the mayor of a small, sleepy New England town

A third viewer penned: “Watched #WidowsBay on #AppleTV last night – only two episodes out, but I’d have binged it all if I could,” while another added: “Really great start to @AppleTV latest series #WidowsBay!! Apple TV doesn’t miss. Another fantastic series so far.”

What have critics said about Widow’s Bay?

The series has received rave reviews from critics, with The Guardian describing it as “Mare of Easttown meets Schitt’s Creek,” in its five-star review, while The Times hailed the drama as “wonderfully scary,” in its four-star review.