Horror Fans and Jonathan Bailey Celebrate New Series' Rotten Tomatoes Success

A New Horror Comedy Series is Captivating Fans

This summer, horror fans have plenty to look forward to. From major movie releases like the latest Scary Movie and Insidious films, to a variety of compelling TV content that's either available now or on the way, there's something for everyone. For example, From is currently streaming with an MGM+ subscription, and Cape Fear will be available on Apple TV in early June. However, Apple has another horror series that's already making waves, and it's not one that many expected to resonate with fans.

The new Apple TV release in question is Widow’s Bay, which debuted on the 2026 TV schedule back in April. Created by Katie Dippold, this horror comedy series has quickly gained attention from both critics and viewers alike. Critics are calling it “unlike anything they have seen” on TV, and the show currently holds a strong Rotten Tomatoes critic score of 97%. The audience score is also impressive at 92%, and fan reactions on platforms like X are overwhelmingly positive:

• “Widow’s Bay is definitely the most pleasant TV surprise thus far in 2026. Horror doesn't do well on streaming (though the show is often very funny) and Apple TV's audience is tiny to begin with. But Widow’s Bay is awesome through four episodes.” – @Great_Katzby
• “The fourth episode of Widow’s Bay is easily one of the best of the year, seriously… funny, sad, and scary! I'm getting more and more fascinated by the series.” – @seriadator
• “I watched the new episode of Widow’s Bay on Apple TV, and I think it's incredible. I think this may already be one of the best shows of the year.” – @MattAlbrecht10
• “Widow’s Bay is in the running for best thing in the television rotation right now. If you have Apple TV, throw on episode 4 and jump right in. Go back to the pilot if you vibe with it. If you don't have Apple TV, I'm sure you can find it online. Amazing television.” – @evanuisance
• “Check out Apple TV's Widow’s Bay; it's an homage to the entire horror franchise with a good dose of humor. Imagine the mayor from Jaws at a Stephen King supernatural town in Maine. The first episode is a direct homage to John Carpenter's The Fog. If you're a horror fan, this is your show.” – @Stingray_travel

This fan love is even more impressive when considering that Bridgerton star Jonathan Bailey has also expressed his appreciation for the show. He posted about it on his Instagram story, sharing the following:

A Fresh Take on the Horror Genre

What sets Widow’s Bay apart from its peers is its unique approach to the horror genre. The show follows a mayor in a New England town who is trying to boost tourism while simultaneously dealing with signs that the town might be haunted. It's a satire based on horror and mystery tropes that often center around spooky, east coast towns where unexplained oddities happen. This show focuses on the people who live in the town, giving it an office comedy feel, while also delivering scares viewers might expect from a Stephen King novel.

A Talented Cast and Creative Team

The plot and writing are clearly a big part of the charm, but so are the cast and creative team. Widow’s Bay stars Matthew Rhys as the mayor. Rhys is a talented actor, having won an Emmy for his work on The Americans and earned nominations for shows like Perry Mason and Girls. However, he also has incredible comedic timing, which makes the show so watchable.

The supporting cast is also stacked, with performances by Barry star Stephen Root, The Leftovers actor Kevin Carroll, and TV staple Dale Dickey. Honestly, I’d also love to see someone like Jonathan Bailey added to the mix should the show continue. Bailey's no stranger when it comes to trippy and campy stories, and I could totally see him making a guest appearance as a traveler visiting the town.

A Unique and Well-Crafted Show

With such a talented group of people both in front of and behind the camera, it makes sense that Widow’s Bay is making this kind of a splash. It’s arguably hard to find a TV show so irreverent and well constructed, and I hope the show eventually lands a second-season renewal. Horror hounds can be hard to please, but if they're signing off on this comedic take on the genre, it's fair to assume it’s worth the watch.