
When you have time on your hands, you may not know what to do with yourself. Sometimes if you’re worried or anxious, filling your time with a new TV show can be just the thing you need to pull your focus somewhere else. Fortunately, there are many fantastic TV shows for seniors on Apple TV+.
In fact, Apple TV+ offers a host of entertainment options no matter what age you are! The service doesn’t only offer plenty of movies for seniors to enjoy, but the TV service also includes lots of exclusive content such as TV shows in numerous genres to stream.
Escape into the world of new characters and adventures and enjoy the fictional world of a television show. Committing to a new show is a great way to get out of your head and distract yourself if real life is currently worrying you.
If you’re an Apple TV+ subscriber, you’re lucky because this service offers special content that you can’t get from Netflix, Hulu, or Disney+ so you can enjoy some unique shows you won’t find anywhere else. Not sure what to watch? Find out a little more about some of the most interesting and well-loved shows on this entertainment platform.
Here are some of the 5 best shows for seniors on Apple TV+.
Best 5 TV Shows for Seniors on Apple TV+
1. Defending Jacob
Are you a murder mystery fan and love a good nail-biter? Then join “Captain America” actor Chris Evans in the suspenseful story of “Defending Jacob.” This show features Evans as an assistant DA trying a murder case.
This isn’t like any other murder case, though. In fact, this case twists and turns until it leads to the DA’s own son, who is captured in connection with the case.
His son is charged with the murder of a classmate, and the assistant DA delves into the case to figure out exactly what happened and how his son came to be involved. In the meantime, his family life is turned inside-out.
For mystery fans, this show is a standout, and you’ll get pulled in quickly to this fast-paced mystery with likable characters and a strong storyline. You’ll see fan favorites like JK Simmons and Cherry Jones as part of the cast, making the ensemble even more entertaining.
This series, which spans one season at the moment, is based on a book of the same name. You may have already read the book and want to compare the book to the show, or you may be completely new to the series.
Either way, for fans of mystery and legal shows, there is a lot here to enjoy!
2. The Morning Show
Packed with stars, “The Morning Show” is a compelling and engaging watch. If you like drama and a soap-opera type feel, then this show is for you. Steve Carell of “The Office” stars as a news anchor who loses his job after he’s accused of misconduct.
“The Morning Show” goes behind the scenes of the show to let you see what really goes on during the filming of a morning talk show. “The Morning Show” also stars A-list actresses Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston as fellow hosts battling for a top spot on the show after Carell’s character gets axed.
Billy Crudup is the surprise scene-stealer of the show, and though ratings were initially not very high, as the season progressed the show became more popular and is now seen as an addictive and enjoyable binge-watch for those of us at home right now.
Right now there are 10 episodes and one season to watch, and you’ll no doubt fly through those quickly! The juicy drama is scheduled to come back for a second season, though it hasn’t been announced when that will be as of yet.
The show has won several awards, and though it has its dark moments, it’s still enthralling enough to give a watch.
3. Dickinson
So it may be billed as a young adult show, but we’ll call “Dickinson” a guilty pleasure because it’s just too good not to watch! Hailee Steinfeld (“The Edge of Seventeen”) stars as the famous poet Emily Dickinson in this period piece.
If you love history and historical fiction pieces, you’ll no doubt love this. But don’t expect it to be a hard-to-watch show with boring storylines and uppity characters.
This is a semi-modernized version of the period showing Emily and her friends behaving more like modern young adults than women of the era, making it fun and enjoyable to watch!
What was life really like for Emily growing up as a young woman and a writer? Get a glimpse into her life highlighted by engaging actors and entertaining storylines about the poet that are likely not historically accurate, as this is a fictionalized take on Dickinson’s life.
If you’re a fan of Dickinson’s work or period pieces in general, you’ll definitely find the fun in this sometimes over-the-top take on one of the most important writers in history.
Emily had a hidden, secretive social life that this show also deigns to explore, fleshing out a little more background than most history novels will offer!
4. For All Mankind
Possibly the most talked-about series on Apple TV+, “For All Mankind” takes a unique look at history from a completely different perspective. What if the Russians had been the first to land on the moon and not America?
This completely different alternate history in turn leads to other events in our nation turning out differently, with lots more attention and money turning to space travel than the reality of it.
There is a lot of competition between the United States and Russia as the countries battle to discover more about space. Essentially, what would have happened if NASA continued to fund the space program and become even more invested in it instead of pulling back from it, as is what really happened?
It becomes very interesting to see as more astronauts sign up to be part of the space program and small and big changes happen that affect the country for decades to come. What will happen in the future of space? Will humans actually live on the moon?
After one exciting season, the show was renewed for a second season, and everyone has been talking about the series since it began.
If you love history and space travel or just enjoy alternate timelines and “what if” scenarios, you’ll enjoy this show immensely.
5. Little America
Have you ever wondered about what it would be like to see America through an immigrant’s eyes? “Little America” does just that.
This anthology series uses an episode at a time to give you a peek into eight different peoples’ lives as they enter America for the first time to create a life for themselves.
You’ll see the American Dream come true as well as obstacles put in place for an immigrant from Syria, one from Iran, and a Chinese family.
This show is heartfelt, dramatic, and inspiring all at the same time. For those of us who were born and raised here, it offers a different experience, allowing us to walk in the shoes of those who must flee their own country for political or personal reasons and wish to enjoy the freedom of the US for themselves.
Each episode is based on a true story, making the show even more enthralling. The show was renewed for a second season as well, so there will be plenty of interesting and heartwarming stories of immigrants for you to share in.
Experience a life you have never known or maybe never even thought about with this thought-provoking series.
How to Choose the Right Show for You

Drama vs. Comedy
One of the easiest ways to narrow down the list of shows you’d like to see is to decide if you want to watch something dramatic or something more comedic.
If you’re in the mood for a drama, it may pull you in a bit more, but the topics may be weighty or serious, and you may become emotional when watching.
If you want to leave your brain aside and just enjoy something more lighthearted, then a comedy may be your best bet.
Dramas are great if you’re in the mood to digest them, but if you’re not, comedy is king!
Historical vs. Fictional
There are a lot of shows on Apple TV+ that have a historical-type storyline, including “For All Mankind” and “Dickinson.” If you love history, there are several options.
However, if you just want to enjoy a fictional TV show, stick to a mystery or a comedy that doesn’t have roots in reality.
Sometimes it’s a lot of fun to see a different version of history, but some viewers may want history to stay exactly as it should be and don’t want to go down the path of alternate realities.
Some viewers may enjoy a fresh take on history. Either way, there is a show for you!
Suspenseful vs. Heartwarming
A murder mystery is a great way to feel suspense and anticipation, but if you prefer not to indulge in that type of anxiety you may want to watch something that fills your heart and makes you smile instead.
Fortunately there are mysteries and sci-fi as well as sweet and hearwarming shows that you can pick from on this streaming service.
Keep in mind that a suspense show is likely a great departure from what is going on in your real life, which can be a great distraction from your own worries!
But some of us aren’t equipped for suspense and would just rather watch for smiles.
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