Apple TV's Widow's Bay is Stephen King with a side of Jaws

Key Points:

• Widow's Bay is a new horror-comedy series on Apple TV created by Katie Dippold, inspired by influences like Stephen King's storytelling and Steven Spielberg’s Jaws, rather than Mike Flanagan’s Midnight Mass despite a similar premise.
• The show features King-esque characters, including a surly old-timer and a stoic police officer, who oppose Mayor Tom Loftis's efforts to turn the island into a tourist destination despite supernatural threats.
• Matthew Rhys stars as Mayor Loftis, delivering a performance that balances comedic timing with genuine fear, as his character faces various monsters in a monster-of-the-week format across the 10-episode series.
• Rhys appreciated the opportunity to explore new acting territory with the freedom given by directors Hiro Murai and Sam Donovan, drawing on classic horror films like Poltergeist and Amityville Horror for inspiration.
• Widow's Bay premieres on April 29 on Apple TV, blending humor and horror in a story about an isolated island plagued by supernatural forces.