Widow's Bay
Widow's Bay
Now Showing

Widow's Bay

"Welcome to the island, please enjoy your stay. Just don't ask too many questions."

8.0
Yr 2026
Status Returning Series
Drama Mystery Comedy
Your Verdict
Unrated

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Series Brief

Overview

The mayor of a New England town resolves to turn it into the next tourist hot spot, despite local warnings that it's cursed.

Status

Latest

  • Jeff Hiller upped to series regular for season 2 — August 20, 2026 (tvinsider.com)
Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 92 /100

Widow's Bay has earned widespread critical acclaim, emerging as one of television's breakout hits thanks to its masterclass in balancing genre elements. Reviewers universally praise creator Katie Dippold's tonal balance, highlighting the show's rare ability to deliver laugh-out-loud comedy alongside genuine, white-knuckle horror without compromising either aspect.

Critics also celebrate the series' top-notch execution, from its atmospheric directing to its compelling central mystery and stellar performances, particularly noting Matthew Rhys in the lead role. Often compared to beloved supernatural touchstones like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and The X-Files, the show stands out as a fresh, boldly original entry in modern television that offers genuine surprises for both casual viewers and horror obsessives alike.

“The series is that tricky chimera, a horror-comedy, and it is equally — and more impressive, simultaneously — effective at both.”

“Widow’s Bay, the delightfully eccentric new comedic horror series from Apple TV, is easily one of the best new series of the year.”

“The brilliantly modulated mix of horror and comedy has quickly become a buzzy water cooler hit”

“Widow's Bay is a must-watch Apple TV original series with the perfect blend of comic relief and terrifying supernatural folk horror.”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

Apple TV Amazon Channel
UK • US • CA
Apple TV
CA • UK • US
Why fans love it

Widow’s Bay balances the sharp edges of dark comedy with the slow creep of folk horror. By placing a desperate civic project against a backdrop of local superstition, the show taps into the specific unease of small town New England. The conflict centers on a mayor blinded by ambition and an island that refuses to be tamed by tourism.

The ensemble cast, featuring Matthew Rhys, anchors these conflicting tones effectively. Rather than relying on jump scares, the tension builds through the interplay between mundane administrative tasks and the encroaching supernatural reality. It is a mystery that prioritizes atmosphere and character dynamics, grounding its macabre elements in the grit of island life.

Featured Players

Cast

Credited 75
Regulars 14
Longest run 10 eps
Matthew Rhys
Matthew Rhys
as Mayor Tom Loftis
10 episodes
Kate O'Flynn
Kate O'Flynn
as Patricia Moyer
10 episodes
Kevin Carroll
Kevin Carroll
as Sheriff Bechir Clemmons
10 episodes
Dale Dickey
Dale Dickey
as Rosemary
10 episodes
Kingston Rumi Southwick
Kingston Rumi Southwick
as Evan Loftis
10 episodes
Stephen Root
Stephen Root
as Wyck Crawford
10 episodes
Neil Casey
Neil Casey
as Kurt
6 episodes
Jeff Hiller
Jeff Hiller
as Dale
7 episodes
Show 67 more
Tim Baltz as William 1 episode K Callan as Ruth 7 episodes Kylie McNeill as Kelly 5 episodes Beck Nolan as PJ 5 episodes Charles Van Flaherty as Gil 5 episodes Toby Huss as Reverend Bryce 3 episodes Nancy Lenehan as Gerrie 6 episodes Christian Clemenson as Dr. Morgan 4 episodes William Hill as Wayne 3 episodes Kalala Kiwanuka-Woernle as Hannah 4 episodes Hamish Linklater as Richard Warren 3 episodes Chris Fleming as The Shaman 2 episodes Meredith Casey as Lauren Loftis 2 episodes Betty Gilpin as Sarah Westcott Warren 2 episodes David Dean Bottrell as Pastor Collins 1 episode Veanne Cox as Abigail Stevens 1 episode Tom Nowicki as Ezra Lowery 1 episode Nathaniel Hayes as John Warren 2 episodes Eli D Goss as Cromwell Warren 2 episodes Navya La Shay as Eleanor Scarborough 1 episode Kieran Stossel Callaghan as Holyoke Warren 2 episodes Jake Ryan Flynn as Thomas Warren 2 episodes Lonnie Farmer as Harbormaster 3 episodes Lenora Severance as Frances Warren 2 episodes Lauren Bittner as Kris 2 episodes Emily Davis as Shelby 2 episodes Connor Ratliff as Deputy Kent 1 episode Sipiwe Moyo as Chelle 5 episodes Ava Gaudet as Gracie 2 episodes Marianne Bayard as Em 2 episodes Elizabeth Alderfer as Marissa 1 episode Carryl Lynn as Sea Hag 1 episode Tom Aulino as Bart 2 episodes Marilyn Busch as Kathy 2 episodes Olli Haaskivi as Ray 3 episodes Len Deming as Man on TV 1 episode James DuMont as Ed 1 episode Shawn Fitzgibbon as Al 2 episodes Isabel Fox as Ginny 1 episode Bashir Salahuddin as Arthur Lloyd 1 episode Tom Kemp as Shep Clark 1 episode Chris Andrew Ciulla as Ferry Captain Lee 1 episode Michael Malvesti as Kenneth the Custodian 3 episodes Anthony Atamanuik as Inn Guest 2 episodes Airon Armstrong as Boogeyman 1 episode David Armstrong as Employee 2 episodes Pat Fitz as EMT Dan 1 episode Bobby McFarlane as Other EMT 1 episode Megan Robinson as Martha 2 episodes Mike Jablon as Chef 1 episode James J. LaBonte as Fisherman in Bar 1 episode Eric LaMonica as Another Patron 2 episodes Robert Marsella as Burly Fisherman 1 episode Ben Rodgers as Radio DJ (voice) 1 episode Jimmy Shirts as Local 1 episode Thomas Tynell as George 1 episode Ian Lyons as Narrator (voice) 1 episode Fred Robbins as Garrett 2 episodes Will Hines as Man in Commercial 1 episode Ryan Karels as Handsome Tourist 1 episode Katie Kerr as Tourist Woman 1 episode Martin Lee as Tourist Man 1 episode Mia Nassivera as Woman in Kitchen 1 episode Tara Mowery as Local Businesswoman 1 episode Ken Siroonian as Local Businessman 1 episode J.B. Adams as Phil 2 episodes Ed Peed as Old-Timer 2 episodes
Production Board

Crew

First Assistant Director
Maria Mantia
Second Assistant Director
Colin Flaherty Kenneth Donaldson
Key Hair Stylist
Amber Voner
Marine Coordinator
Joe Boreland
Steadicam Operator
Michael Fuchs
Transportation Coordinator
Thomas O'Connor
Costume Design
Alex Bovaird
Post Production Assistant
Katara Shipton
Makeup Effects Designer
Todd Masters
Script Supervisor
Jenna Dayton
Digital Imaging Technician
Kyo Moon
Supervising Art Director
Peter Borck
Visual Effects Editor
Rachel Varnell
Costume Supervisor
Tina Ulee Linda Gardar
Director
Sam Donovan Hiro Murai
Graphic Designer
Ellen Lampl Kimberly Osborne
Construction Coordinator
Jason Joubert
Set Decorating Coordinator
Meghan Guilfoyle
Script Coordinator
Eric Holmes
First Assistant "B" Camera
Zack Shultz
Key Makeup Artist
Seraphina Caligiure
Makeup Department Head
Tricia Heine
On Set Props
Noah Dubreuil
Art Department Coordinator
Jennifer Wang
Stunt Coordinator
Paul Marini
Creator
Katie Dippold
Signal Match

Similarity

Where Widow's Bay overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

comedy horror supernatural supernatural horror mayor fog curse fishing village island new england folk horror horror curious disturbed
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
April 28, 2026
Status
Returning Series
Origin
US
TMDB Votes
516