The Brits have been on a generational run, making some of the best television shows and movies out there. Their content is raw, unfiltered, and makes your stomach churn with each passing scene. Over the years, they have gained a reputation as the go-to source for quality entertainment.
One such show taking rounds on the internet for its gripping story and brilliant portrayal of young minds navigating crime and broken family dynamics is airing on Netflix under the name Adolescence. If you still haven’t seen it, know that Stephen Graham is also part of the show, which itself should speak volumes about the miniseries.
The man doesn’t have a bad movie or show under his name, be it his acting as a raging chef in Boiling Point or his popular role in Line of Duty—all of them have been masterpieces. Now, with the release of the new Netflix project, his filmography is only going to expand.
Even though Netflix was the go-to platform for watching quality content, its competitor, Apple TV+, has started to gain a lot of attention recently, and it is quite evident and justified by the type of content they are offering. So, if you recently watched Adolescence and are wondering what to watch next that will be just as good, here is a list of movies and shows from Apple TV+ that are equally captivating or maybe even better.
6. Dope Thief
Apple TV+ sure knows how to put a show together, pouring money like no other production house to create top-quality content. One such show that recently came out and is already getting attention despite the lack of promotion is Dope Thief, an adaptation of the novel by Dennis Tafoya. The pilot episode was created by Ridley Scott, who is also the show’s executive producer.
Scott is known for his movies like Gladiator and The Martian. The show was also written and created by Peter Craig, a screenwriter and novelist behind works like Bad Boys for Life and The Batman. With such a strong background in filmmaking, Apple TV+ did a great job greenlighting this miniseries.
The show revolves around two long-time friends who impersonate DEA officers to make extra money. What started as a hustle to make ends meet turns into a life-and-death situation. The two friends, Ray and Manny, rob a house without knowing the consequences or the severity of their actions.
Their little gimmick puts multiple mobs and cartels on their backs. And it’s not just the bad guys who want to get hold of them—the real DEA picks up on their act and wants to sit them down for proper action. This is one of the most intense miniseries Apple TV+ has added to its list, and it looks like it’s here to make you bite your nails.
5. Defending Jacob
This Apple TV+ series will seem quite similar if you have seen Adolescence. Just like the Netflix show, Defending Jacob is a psychological crime drama that checks many boxes when compared. However, both shows have their fair share of differences, making them must-watch series in their own right.
The series is based on the novel of the same name by William Landay, following the life of Assistant District Attorney Andy Barber (Chris Evans) as his life reaches a tough spot after his 14-year-old son Jacob is accused of murdering his classmate. It starts out slow with a legal battle, but as the show progresses, things start to get darker.
It gets more personal as the family has to confront painful truths about their son’s actions, leading Barber to question his parenthood and marriage. The show was created by Mark Bomback and directed by Morten Tyldum, who also helmed the popular war film The Imitation Game. While the show does a great job of being a thriller, what adds to its quality is the phenomenal acting by the cast, especially Chris Evans.
The Captain America actor stepped away from his usual larger-than-life roles to play a more nuanced performance—a father torn between family and fear. His on-screen wife, played by Michelle Dockery, also adds to the gut-wrenching show, delivering a heartbreaking performance as a mother desperate to protect her child. If you enjoyed the Netflix crime thriller, then Defending Jacob is an effortless recommendation that is guaranteed to leave an impact.
4. Presumed Innocent
One of the most unexpected series Apple TV+ gave us, which aligns perfectly with the themes of Adolescence, is Presumed Innocent. Never in my life did I think we’d get to witness Jake Gyllenhaal in a TV show, but Apple TV+ made it happen.
Gyllenhaal, who has perfected his dark and mysterious side in roles like Nightcrawler, Zodiac, and Prisoners, finally gets to showcase his prowess in a crime thriller series. In David E. Kelley’s adaptation of the novel of the same name by Scott Turow, Kindle County prosecutor Rusty Sabich (Gyllenhaal) is accused of murdering his colleague, Carolyn Polhemus (Renate Reinsve).
Before watching the show, don’t expect it to be a carbon copy of the book. The creators have made significant changes, from gender-flipping characters to altering resolutions. Kelley successfully brings the same kind of tension seen in the Netflix show, drawing from his experience creating courtroom dramas like Boston Legal and Big Little Lies.
The eight-episode series is a great addition to your watchlist if you enjoyed Adolescence and want something with a similar vibe, led by an actor of Gyllenhaal’s caliber.
3. Suspicion
The show throws you into chaos from the start, as a well-planned kidnapping takes place in a New York hotel. And who do they kidnap? The son of a powerful businesswoman. What many didn’t expect was the businesswoman being played by the stunning Uma Thurman. But that’s not all—the show keeps the audience guessing as four random Brits are accused of the kidnapping.
At this point in the first episode, everyone is scratching their heads, wondering what’s happening. Did these seemingly normal British citizens actually commit the crime? The show is a high-stakes thriller where no one and nothing is what they seem.
From the moment the investigation starts, Suspicion will keep you on edge. One of the individuals struggling to prove his innocence is played by Kunal Nayyar, best known for The Big Bang Theory. Many didn’t expect him to pull off a role with such emotional depth, but he proves everyone wrong.
The show, which debuted in 2022, is a British-American adaptation of the Israeli series False Flag (2015). Apple TV+ gave the adaptation a new setting and fresh twists, attracting an international audience.
2. Black Bird
Apple TV+ releases a lot of great miniseries, and one of the critically acclaimed ones I’m going to talk about is the show called Black Bird. While we looked at a lot of adaptations and originals, this one is unlike the others. Black Bird is based on the true story of James Keene, as written in his memoir In with the Devil: A Fallen Hero, a Serial Killer, and a Dangerous Bargain for Redemption.
The show is thrilling, and the fact that it’s a true story adds to its intrigue. The series follows the life of James, played by Taron Egerton, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison for dealing drugs. However, he is given an unusual opportunity to redeem himself and cut his sentence short. And what is the request?—He must befriend suspected serial killer Larry Hall and make him confess the locations of the victims.
The show is unlike any other that viewers are used to and has a fresh premise that grabs their attention. Black Bird‘s popularity is due to the people behind its making. The show was created by the same guy who gave us Shutter Island—Dennis Lehane, a novelist and screenwriter—and directed by Michaël R. Roskam, who was behind the films Bullhead and The Drop.
1. Criminal Record
The final addition to the list is Criminal Record, a British crime thriller on Apple TV+ created by Paul Rutman. Like many great shows, this one is set in London and revolves around a decade-old murder case that resurfaces.
The case forces two detectives from very different backgrounds to team up. The show gained popularity thanks to its stellar cast, featuring Peter Capaldi (Doctor Who, The Thick of It) as DCI Daniel Hegarty and Cush Jumbo (The Good Fight, The Beast Must Die) as DS June Lenker.
Apart from its strong cast, the story is just as compelling. The plot kicks off when Lenker receives an anonymous phone call about a wrongful conviction from years ago. As she digs deeper into a case once handled by Hegarty, she notices numerous inconsistencies, leading her to clash with him—who may have more to hide than he admits.
The show is guaranteed to keep viewers engaged with its gripping story and performances. Apple TV+ sure knows how to deliver a solid crime drama.
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