‘Chief of War’ Returns as Apple TV+’s Most-Watched Show This Week: Here Are the Remaining Top 10 Shows

Apple TV+ continues to add popular and original shows to its collection, offering a diverse range of genres like historical dramas, comedies, and science fiction. This week’s highlights include stories set in sports arenas, newsrooms, during alien attacks, and on a Hawaiian battlefield – meaning there’s something for everyone, whether you’re in the mood for a lighthearted comedy, an exciting thriller, or a grand, immersive story.

Here’s a quick guide to the 10 most popular shows people are watching right now. We’ll start with number 10 and count down to the top show, ‘Chief of War‘. For each show, we’ll give you a brief summary of the story, as well as information about the creators, cast, and key people who worked on it.

10. ‘Slow Horses’ (2022–)

‘Slow Horses’ is a gripping spy series centered around Slough House, a department within MI5 where intelligence officers who’ve fallen out of favor are sent. But when unexpected events occur, these sidelined agents are pulled back into active duty. The show, based on Mick Herron’s ‘Slough House’ novels and adapted for television by Will Smith, features a stellar cast including Gary Oldman as the sharp-tongued Jackson Lamb, Jack Lowden as River Cartwright, Kristin Scott Thomas as Diana Taverner, and Jonathan Pryce as David Cartwright, alongside Saskia Reeves, Rosalind Eleazar, and Christopher Chung as key members of the team.

The Apple TV+ series is a See-Saw Films production, directed by James Hawes, Jeremy Lovering, Saul Metzstein, and Adam Randall. Smith spearheaded the writing team, which also included Morwenna Banks and others. Daniel Pemberton composed the music, and the opening theme was co-written and performed by Mick Jagger, enhancing the show’s mix of dark comedy and suspenseful spy action.

9. ‘Shrinking’ (2023–)

“Shrinking” centers around Jimmy Laird, a therapist who drastically changes his approach-and his life-by being completely honest with his patients. The series was created by Bill Lawrence, Jason Segel, and Brett Goldstein, and stars Jason Segel as Jimmy, alongside Harrison Ford, Jessica Williams, Christa Miller, Michael Urie, Luke Tennie, and Lukita Maxwell.

Created by Doozer and Warner Bros. Television for Apple TV+, the series was directed by James Ponsoldt and other filmmakers. The writing team was headed by Jason Sudeikis, Brett Goldstein, and Bill Lawrence. Ben Gibbard and Tom Howe composed the show’s theme song, and the episodes explore themes of workplace morality alongside the characters’ journeys with loss and their friendships.

8. ‘Acapulco’ (2021–)

I recently checked out ‘Acapulco,’ and it’s a really fun show! It’s basically a coming-of-age story told through the eyes of Máximo Gallardo, who’s looking back on his time working at a fancy resort in Las Colinas when he was younger. It reminds me a bit of the movie ‘How to Be a Latin Lover,’ which is where the show got its inspiration. Eugenio Derbez plays the older Máximo, narrating the whole thing, and Enrique Arrizon does a great job as his younger self. The supporting cast, including Camila Perez, Chord Overstreet, and a bunch of other talented actors, really brings the story to life.

The series, a collaboration between 3Pas Studios, Lionsgate Television, and The Tannenbaum Company, is filmed in Mexico and seamlessly switches between English and Spanish. Winsberg and Chris Harris oversaw the show’s creation, and directors like Jay Karas and Richard Shepard brought its vibrant, 1980s setting to life.

7. ‘Severance’ (2022–)

The show ‘Severance’ explores the lives of workers at Lumon Industries who have undergone a procedure to separate their work and personal memories, leading to thought-provoking questions about who we are, whether they truly consented to the procedure, and who is in control. Created by Dan Erickson and largely directed by Ben Stiller (along with Aoife McArdle), the series features Adam Scott as Mark, Britt Lower as Helly, John Turturro as Irving, Christopher Walken as Burt, Patricia Arquette as Harmony Cobel, Zach Cherry as Dylan, and Tramell Tillman as Milchick.

The series, created by Red Hour Productions and Fifth Season, uses a striking visual style with cold, minimalist office settings and unsettling, ritualistic imagery. The writing, spearheaded by Erickson and including contributions from Mark Friedman and Chris Black, carefully develops the show’s complex backstory. Theodore Shapiro’s music adds to the atmosphere, creating a consistently tense and suspenseful mood.

6. ‘The Morning Show’ (2019–)

‘The Morning Show’ offers a look at the drama behind a popular national morning news program, exploring how its hosts, producers, and leaders deal with crises, power struggles, and changing social norms. The series, created by Jay Carson and developed by Kerry Ehrin, features Jennifer Aniston as Alex Levy, Reese Witherspoon as Bradley Jackson, and Billy Crudup as network executive Cory Ellison, alongside strong performances from Mark Duplass, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and Steve Carell.

Mimi Leder directs key episodes and also serves as an executive producer. Throughout the series’ run, both John Ehrin and later Charlotte Stoudt were in charge of the day-to-day production. The show is based on Brian Stelter’s book, ‘Top of the Morning,’ and is a production of Media Res, Echo Films, Hello Sunshine, and Apple Studios. Filming mainly takes place in New York and Los Angeles.

5. ‘Ted Lasso’ (2020–)

Ted Lasso is a show about an American football coach who unexpectedly gets hired to lead a professional soccer club in England, AFC Richmond. He brings a positive attitude and unique coaching style to the Premier League. Created by Jason Sudeikis, Bill Lawrence, Brendan Hunt, and Joe Kelly, based on sketches from NBC Sports, the series stars Sudeikis in the title role, alongside Hannah Waddingham, Juno Temple, Brett Goldstein, Nick Mohammed, Phil Dunster, and Toheeb Jimoh.

Created by Doozer, Universal Television, and Warner Bros. Television, the series is written by a team including Jason Sudeikis, Bill Lawrence, Brendan Hunt, and Joe Kelly. MJ Delaney and Declan Lowney often direct episodes. The music is composed by Marcus Mumford and Tom Howe, and filming takes place in and around London to authentically portray the show’s focus on football.

4. ‘Invasion’ (2021–)

“Invasion” tells the story of an alien attack from different points of view around the world, showing how the lives of various characters connect as the danger grows. The series is created by Simon Kinberg and David Weil, and stars Golshifteh Farahani, Shioli Kutsuna, Shamier Anderson, and Billy Barratt. Sam Neill appears in the first few episodes as Sheriff John Bell Tyson.

I’m completely captivated by how seamlessly everything comes together in this show! Kinberg and Weil really have a masterful hand in guiding the story, and directors like Jakob Verbruggen bring such a grand, international feel to it all. The music is incredible too – it starts with the haunting beauty of Max Richter and then evolves with Bobby Krlic’s contributions. And the sheer scope of the locations and the stunning visual effects? That’s thanks to the amazing work of production partners Kinberg Genre and Boat Rocker – they really bring the world to life.

3. ‘Platonic’ (2023–)

“Platonic” is a new half-hour comedy series about two old best friends who reconnect later in life and playfully disrupt each other’s stable routines. The show, created by Nicholas Stoller and Francesca Delbanco, stars Rose Byrne as Sylvia and Seth Rogen as Will. Luke Macfarlane plays Sylvia’s husband, Charlie, and the cast also includes Tre Hale, Andrew Lopez, Carla Gallo, and Guy Branum.

Stoller directs several episodes and works alongside Delbanco as showrunner, bringing their knack for strong, character-driven stories from film to the television series. Produced by Stoller Global Solutions and Sony Pictures Television Studios for Apple TV+, the show is set in Los Angeles and focuses on the complexities of friendship in work and family life, without focusing on romantic relationships.

2. ‘Foundation’ (2021–)

“Foundation” is a television series based on Isaac Asimov’s famous books. It follows the story of Hari Seldon, a brilliant mathematician, and his plan – called psychohistory – to lessen the impact of a coming dark age after a galactic empire collapses. The show, created by David S. Goyer and Josh Friedman, features Jared Harris as Hari Seldon, Lee Pace as Brother Day (a clone), Lou Llobell as Gaal Dornick, Leah Harvey as Salvor Hardin, and Laura Birn as Demerzel.

As a critic, I’ve been following this series closely, and it’s clear Skydance and Apple Studios have built something ambitious. Philip K. Dick’s vision is really being expanded here – not just adapted. Philip K. Dick is heavily involved as a creative lead, and they’ve brought in talented directors like Rupert Sanders and Alex Graves to bring it all to life. The writers haven’t been afraid to go big, either, taking Asimov’s core ideas and building out these sprawling stories across multiple planets, full of political maneuvering and genuinely mind-bending future tech. It’s more than just a faithful adaptation; it’s a real expansion of the universe.

1. ‘Chief of War’ (2025–)

“Chief of War” is a historical drama set in late 1700s Hawaii, telling the story of Kaʻiana, a skilled warrior leading the fight to unify the islands. Created by Jason Momoa and Thomas Paʻa Sibbett, the show stars Momoa as Kaʻiana, alongside Luciane Buchanan as Kaʻahumanu, and features performances by Temuera Morrison as King Kahekili and Cliff Curtis as Keōua.

As a movie fan, I’m really excited about who’s involved in bringing this story to life! Talented directors like Justin Chon and Anders Engström are handling the episodes, and the executive producer list is seriously impressive – Francis Lawrence, Peter Chernin, and Jenno Topping are all names I recognize and respect. Plus, they’re using both Hawaiian and English in the dialogue, which sounds amazing, and the score is being composed by Hans Zimmer and James Everingham – that promises epic battles and really intense political moments. It’s shaping up to be a visually and aurally stunning experience!

We want to hear from you! Which Apple TV+ show do you think we should include on next week’s list? Let us know in the comments!

2025-09-14 02:46