Apple TV has shared the first look at 'Widow’s Bay,' a new horror comedy series starring Matthew Rhys as the mayor of a cursed island town. The 10-episode show premieres with its first three installments on April 29, followed by weekly episodes through June 17. Created by Katie Dippold, the series blends suspense and humor as tourists unwittingly revive ancient local legends.
Series Overview
'Widow’s Bay' follows Mayor Tom Loftis (Matthew Rhys), a beleaguered leader in a remote island community 40 miles off New England’s coast. The town struggles with no Wi-Fi, unreliable cell service, and superstitious residents convinced of a curse. Loftis aims to boost tourism for his teenage son’s future, but his success unleashes dormant horrors from local folklore.
The official logline states: “’Widow’s Bay’ is a quaint island town 40 miles off the coast of New England. But something lurks beneath the surface. Mayor Tom Loftis (Rhys) is desperate to revive his struggling community. There’s no wifi, spotty cellular reception and he must contend with superstitious locals who believe their island is cursed. 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.”
Cast and Crew
Joining Rhys are Kate O’Flynn, Stephen Root, Kingston Rumi Southwick, Kevin Carroll, and Dale Dickey. Emmy-winner Hiro Murai, known for 'Atlanta' and 'The Bear,' directed five episodes and executive produces via Chum Films. Additional directors include Ti West, Sam Donovan, and Andrew DeYoung. Katie Dippold created the series, serving as showrunner and executive producer, with producers Carver Karaszewski, Claudia Shin, and Rhys. Apple Studios handles production.
Premiere Details
The series launches on Apple TV with episodes one through three on April 29, then new episodes every Wednesday until June 17. While one source describes it as a suspense-filled horror drama, Variety confirms the horror comedy tone, aligning with the blend of eerie elements and Loftis’s comedic ineptitude.
This announcement highlights Apple TV’s push into genre-blending content, building on Murai’s acclaimed track record.
