Apple TV+ launched on November 1, 2019, with very little fanfare. However, the service does not offer licensed content. Instead, it only produces original programming, making its content library comparatively small. Still, it has its production factory going, and there are some new and noteworthy programs to consider watching in 2021.
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What You Need to Know About Apple TV+
Since launching in November 2019, it’s clear that Apple TV+ plans to take a different approach to on-demand streaming. As the company was unable to secure any licensing agreements, it was forced to developed an all-originals content library.
The result for Apple TV+ was a super-thin library at launch. Positively, that almost means Apple TV+ comes in at a much lower cost than many of its competitors. You can subscribe to Apple TV+ for $49.99 per month to get access to its (incredibly small) content library.
Apple TV+ Originals Available in 2021
At launch, there were under a dozen titles available on Apple TV+. These came in across a few different genres, with some of the content more heavily anticipated due to the high-profile actors involved. The company has since expanded its original content library to include several dozen shows, movies, and documentaries. In 2021, it’s expanding things even further.
Here’s what’s coming up on Apple TV+ in 2021.
Apple TV+ 2021 Drama Series
Drama fans will have a few new shows to watch through Apple TV+ this year.
The Mosquito Coast
Based on a book of the same name, this drama centers on a 14-year old boy and his eccentric, inventor uncle who’s become disillusioned with American consumerism. The series will start actor Justin Theroux, which is fitting considering The Mosquito Coast novel was written by his uncle, Paul Theroux.
Pachinko
Built around a novel of the same name, this 8-episode historical drama series takes place in the 1800s and focuses on a Korean family that emigrates to Japan.
Apple TV+ 2021 Sci-Fi and Thriller Series
Some unique thrillers and science fiction shows make their way to Apple TV+ this coming year.
Severance
Starring Adam Scott (of Parks & Recreation) and Patricia Arquette, Severance is a 10-part series set in a near-future where the corporation Lumen Industries uses software called “severance” to remove employees’ memories of the work they perform.
Foundation
Isaac Asimov’s well-regarded science-fiction epic makes its way to the small screen this year on Apple TV+. The first season will be 10 episodes will attempt to compress the series into a digestible format. Apple is also taking a few liberties in adapting the book for the screen, particularly given Asimov’s noticeable lack of female representation in his novel series. Both Salvor Harding and the android/robot Eto Demerzel will be starred by female actresses.
Lisey’s Story
This 2007 Stephen King novel gets its TV debut on Apple TV+. The novel’s story was inspired by a real-life car accident. The story follows the widow of a famous author who, as she fights with her emotional distress over his death, must also face a real monster from another world.
Losing Alice
This co-production with Israel production company Hot focuses on a 48-year-old film producer who loses her moral integrity after becoming obsessed with a 24-year-old femme fatale screenwriter.
Apple TV+ 2021 Cartoons and Animation
Now that it owns the rights to the Peanuts series, Apple is going all-out with new content production for the brand.
New animation/cartoon shows include:
- The Snoopy Show
- Peanuts Earth Day special
- Peanuts Mother’s Day special
- Peanut’s back to school special
Apple TV+ 2021 Comedies
Apple TV+ will have just one comedy coming out in 2021: Schmigadoon!, a musical comedy starring Cecily Strong. The plot surrounds a couple that discovers a town called Shcmigadoon that appears to be stuck operating as if it’s in a 1940s musical.
Apple TV+ 2021 Movies and Documentaries
Apple TV+ is getting one movie and one documentary this year.
Cherry (Crime Drama)
Based on a novel of the same name, Cherry will actually hit select movie theaters first before shifting to Apple TV+. The movie will star Tom Holland in a role that sees him making bad decisions that risk the loss of his love interest.
Palmer
Justin Timberlake takes the starring role in this movie about a former college football star whose professional career in the NFL was ruined before it started due to a crime and subsequent imprisonment.
Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry
Apple TV+ makes its foray into the realm of musician documentaries. The documentary gives a behind-the-scenes look at the production of Eilish’s debut album, When We All Fall Sleep, Where Do We Go?.
Shows Returning for 2021 to Apple TV+
Beyond new content, several Apple TV+ series are getting new episodes for 2021. These include:
- For All Mankind
- Servant
Other shows may be returning as well.
Sam Cook is a full-time content strategist by day, a part-time freelance content writer since 2015. In another life, he was a high school English teacher for nearly a decade. Based in sunny New Orleans, he writes long-form educational content on technology, including Insurtech, Fintech, HRtech, and content streaming. He loves whittling down complex ideas within these areas that make decisions easier for buyers. When he’s not reading books with his son Miles and playing video games with the family, you can find him immersed in his growing collection of Euro-style board games.
