Welcome to 'Widow's Bay': Matthew Rhys Leads Horror-Comedy Series

The new Apple TV+ show blends genuine scares with character-driven comedy, inspired by horror classics like 'Jaws' and 'Twin Peaks'.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 10:49pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In the remote but quaint island town of Widow's Bay, 40 miles off the coast of New England, the quirky locals have a very different story to tell than the town's dutiful mayor, Tom Loftis (Matthew Rhys). As Tom tries to attract summer tourists to boost their struggling economy, the old stories that seemed too ludicrous to be true start happening again, and they just might make a believer out of the stubborn mayor.

Why it matters

Widow's Bay blends genuine horror with character-driven comedy, drawing inspiration from classic films like Jaws and Twin Peaks to create a unique genre-blending series that explores themes of community, the supernatural, and the power of belief.

The details

The 10-episode Apple TV+ series, created by Katie Dippold, follows Tom Loftis, the mayor of Widow's Bay, as he tries to revitalize the remote island town and attract tourists, despite the locals' insistence that the island is cursed. The show features a talented ensemble cast, including Stephen Root as the wacky former fisherman Wyck, who is determined to warn people of the island's impending dangers.

  • Widow's Bay premieres with the first two episodes on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, followed by new episodes every Wednesday through June 17, 2026.
  • The series will also feature a special two-episode release on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.

The players

Matthew Rhys

The Emmy-winning actor stars as Tom Loftis, the mayor of Widow's Bay who is trying to revitalize the remote island town and attract tourists, despite the locals' insistence that the island is cursed.

Stephen Root

The iconic character actor plays Wyck, a wacky former fisherman who is determined to warn people of the island's impending dangers.

Katie Dippold

The creator and writer of Widow's Bay, who has previously worked on shows like Parks and Recreation.

Hiro Murai

The Emmy-winning director who helped bring Dippold's vision for Widow's Bay to life.

Kingston Rumi Southwick

The actor who plays Evan, the teenage son of Tom Loftis.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The big reference we have in the series is Jaws, which was an enormous draw and attraction for me as it is truly one of my favorite films. There are a number of horror movies that are nodded towards, referenced, and given a great ode. I'm wary to name them because I don't want people anticipating them. I would like the viewer to experience, as I did upon reading it, the giggly glee of realizing that you are noticing these wonderful references from our past.”

— Matthew Rhys

“If somebody's gonna lead this island, it's gotta be somebody strong enough to be able to deal with the island like he does himself. And he really doesn't think [Tom] has the oomph to do it, from knowing him and being around him since he was a teenager.”

— Stephen Root, as Wyck

“At a certain point, I realized this whole show is about anxiety. Matthew is so good at playing discomfort and repressed fear through his microexpressions. Sometimes it's played for comedy, sometimes it's played for drama, but I noticed over time that when we felt tonally lost, we would just orient ourselves to what Matthew was playing. It got us back to an honest place.”

— Hiro Murai, Director

What’s next

Widow's Bay will premiere with the first two episodes on Apple TV+ on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, followed by new episodes every Wednesday through June 17, 2026. The series will also feature a special two-episode release on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.

The takeaway

Widow's Bay offers a unique blend of horror and comedy, drawing inspiration from classic genre films to create a compelling and unsettling portrait of a remote island community grappling with the supernatural. The series showcases Matthew Rhys's versatility as an actor, as he navigates the tonal shifts between the show's comedic and dramatic elements.