There is a moment in Apple TV’s new comedy-horror series Widow’s Bay, where a frantic Tom Loftis (Matthew Rhys), the mayor of the fictional New England island of Widow’s Bay, desperately asks, “What is happening?!” The crotchety truth-teller Wyck Crawford (Stephen Root), replies simply, “I don’t know. You just survive.” Indeed, as a viewer of this unexpected fever-dream of a series—which has become a cult word-of-mouth hit, frequently compared to everything from Twin Peaks to Schitt’s Creek—one must get accustomed to the weird and genuinely terrifying occurrences that unfurl in each of its 10 episodes. On this seemingly charming island there are: sea hags, Boogeymen, horrifying curses and psychedelic mushrooms. So, buckle up; you’re in for a fun ride.
On the surface, Widow’s Bay is the kind of winsome historic destination in which a visiting New York Times writer believes could be the “new Martha’s Vineyard”. It’s got vibey diners, dive bars and a cute harbour. Unfortunately for everyone involved, it is also deeply haunted, inflicted by a centuries-old curse which means those of the 3,000 Widow’s Bay residents who were born on the island can never leave. It also has no phone reception (sea hags, I could just about bear, but no 5G? That might finish me off). You spend the series learning the true depths of its dark history which, unfortunately for PR-obsessed mayor Tom, no amount of tourist-friendly sunset cocktail events can offset.
Widow’s Bay – created by Katie Dippold (a writer on Parks and Recreation) and directed by Hiro Murai (who’s worked on Atlanta and The Bear)—is wildly popular, but it’s also been a slow-burn, which seems to be a recurring theme for Apple’s offerings. The show first dropped in April and, with each episode, a ripple effect has seen it hit the top of the streamer’s most-watched list—and safely secure a second season. This is, in part, thanks to the magnificent Rhys, whose “befuddled mayor of a haunted island” performance is so captivating it’s impossible to imagine anyone else in the role. But it’s also, to my mind, because it manages to horrify, while also feeling distinctly like a comfort watch. Has there ever been a series which causes you to both scream and laugh out loud?
Indeed, imagine Gilmore Girls crossed with The Shining and you’ll come close. There are small town dramas, complicated friendship dynamics and a wayward teen, all neatly woven into the most unhinged scenarios imaginable involving shamans and haunted mushroom trips. One minute you’re enjoying Tom’s nervous first date with a woman in town for a bachelorette, the next you’re in Blair Witch-style terror at the threat of a ghoul at the door. In episode two, there’s even a clown chase—arguably the most terrifying clown cameo to have appeared this century (sorry, Bill Skarsgård).
If the unprecedented blend of gothic and comic drama lures viewers in, it’s the cast that keeps them watching. There’s a chance you’ll be googling what you’ve seen them in, because they’re alumni from shows such as The Walking Dead, True Blood and Glow. Kate O’Flynn, the British actor who plays Tom’s neurotic assistant Patricia, emerges as a showstopper. Special mention must also go to Kevin Carroll, who plays Bechir Clemmons, the long-suffering cop who has his work cut out for him (what with all the ghoul attacks and disappearances) and Jeff Hiller, who plays town hall staffer Dale. If you’ve watched Bridget Everett’s award-winning HBO comedy Somebody Somewhere, you’ll be familiar with the specific comfort of Hiller’s on-screen prowess.
In a sea of remakes, reboots and Love Island: Unseen Bits, the roaring success of Widow’s Bay is perhaps no surprise. We’ve been crying out for an original drama which can fling us, by the seat of our pants, into uncharted territory, and Widow’s Bay does just that. It feels like a much-needed cultural reset. Roll on Season 2.
This article was first published on British Vogue.
