Widow’s Bay is only four episodes deep, but Katie Dippold’s new horror comedy is already getting “Best TV Show Of 2026” buzz, and for good reason! As noted in our full season review, the Apple TV series starring Matthew Rhys, Stephen Root, and Kate O’Flynn achieves a masterful blend of nail-biting terror and deliciously dark humor. The first three episodes introduced the cursed costal town of Widow’s Bay and followed Mayor Tom Loftis (Rhys) as he faced freaky fog, a killer clown, and a sea hag. But Episode 4, “Beach Reads” — written by Mackenzie Dohr (WandaVision) and directed by Sam Donovan (Severance) — shines a spotlight on Tom’s assistant, Patricia, giving the awkward outcast her main character moment and cementing the extraordinary O’Flynn as the show’s secret weapon. To avoid spoilers, let’s just say that Patricia finds a self-help book, sets out to throw the best party Widow’s Bay has ever seen, and gives us one of the year’s best TV episodes. You’ll laugh, you’ll be deeply unsettled, you’ll have “Rhythm of the Night” stuck in your head for weeks, and you’ll realize what an Emmy-worthy performance O’Flynn is giving on this show. The Widow’s Bay star broke down her standout episode (and that jaw-dropping cliffhanger) with Decider, so be sure to read after you watch!
Photo: Apple TV
