Matthew Rhys in a Surprising Comedy Role in Apple TV Series

Image: Apple TV

Is it a big scare or a big laugh? Apple’s new series Widow’s Bay aims to offer both, and does so quite well… as long as you are open to the mix of genres.

Published: 01.05.2026, 19:01 Updated: 01.05.2026, 22:50

One of the key aspects of a good series is its ability to provide a captivating story. This is precisely what keeps you, the viewer, glued to your seat waiting for the next episode, or eagerly anticipating the next installment.

Widow’s Bay is Apple TV’s unexpected new production, skillfully stepping out of the conventional mold. Created by Katie Dippold, known for her work on the cult sitcom Parks and Recreation (2009-2015), the writer-turned-showrunner delivers what initially seems to be a horror story, only to reveal itself in a much subtler form: dark comedy.

The first two episodes, released on April 30, unveil a dark atmosphere that is neither a sitcom nor a simple comedy series, reminiscent of what Twin Peaks (1990-1991) offered with its quirky characters navigating through cleverly crafted situational comedy.

Welcome to Widow’s Bay

It all starts with a rule in New England, a historic region in the Northeastern United States, which was among the first territories to welcome English migrants. This forgotten piece of land bears a rather sinister name: Widow’s Bay. A name that has significance, as for the islanders who never set foot on the mainland, the place is cursed.

For the mayor of this island, superstitions are the main reason for the decline of this forgotten place. His goal is to boost tourism and the economy of the area, akin to the neighboring, more popular islands. But when a New York Times journalist arrives to write an article that could promote the island, a tremor shakes the region and a strange fog seems to threaten the residents, plunging them into confusion.

Not to mention the eerie inn in town, where murders and suicides throughout history have shaped the reputation of a haunted place…

The trailer:

Video: external / rest

Played by Matthew Rhys, known for his role in The Americans (2013-2018), Tom Loftis, the mayor of Widow’s Bay, embodies a skeptical and modern figure, contrasting with the cantankerous inhabitants of this picturesque town. Surrounded by quirky characters like his pushy assistant Patricia, a grumpy sheriff, and Wicky, a resident who throws a wrench in his plans, he is convinced that the arrival of new residents will lead to their downfall, given the island’s shady past.

The charm of the series lies in its clumsy and caricatured characters.
Image: Apple TV

Because when you dig into the history of Widow’s Bay, you uncover many grim events: repeated shipwrecks, murders, suicides, disappearances, witches burned at the stake, demon possessions… While all this may seem like folklore to the mayor, paranormal events begin to pile up since the island seems to be “awake,” according to local legend.

The old stories, too outlandish to be true, start to happen again, leaving the poor mayor in absurd doubt: is it reality or is superstition causing him to lose his mind?

Chilling

This new horror series may unsettle, as it combines genres that, although proven effective over time, have somewhat fallen out of favor in television productions.

However, on the big screen, horror comedy has made quite an impact with directors like Peter Jackson, John Carpenter, Tim Burton, Joe Dante, and Steven Spielberg. Widow’s Bay seems to draw inspiration from a whole array of cinema, both in form and substance, from the pen of Stephen King.

You see the book cover?
Image: Apple TV

Widow’s Bay could almost be dubbed a “Stephen King mixtape,” as it brims with references to his works. It captures the typical atmosphere of a small town harboring dark secrets, resembling Castle Rock or Derry, in the rainy setting of New England, a region dear to the author.

Adding to this is the dark psychology of a rural community and a fatal fog, akin to The Mist (1985), along with tales of madness and ghosts, reminiscent of the haunted hotel in The Shining (1977).

Beneath the ghost train facade, where anxiety blends with the absurd humor of social satire, Widow’s Bay manages to scare while offering a feel-good experience. A perfectly balanced blend, made digestible by the talent of its actors and the unique atmosphere created by its creator.

This genre mix, though surprising, finds its equilibrium in the thick veil of mystery shrouding Widow’s Bay, leaving a sweet cotton candy taste for fans nostalgic for 1980s fantasy, the kind that could scare while bringing a smile.

“Widow’s Bay” is available for streaming on Apple TV and MyCanal.