Matthew Rhys in Widow’s Bay | Credit: Apple TV
When things start going wrong on a small New England island, the town’s mayor, Tom Loftis (Matthew Rhys), is forced to confront his own beliefs, his fellow residents, and the supernatural elements that are present there.
I am admittedly late to Widow’s Bay, but after its award run this year, I had to check it out, and it’s the perfect horror/comedy for this spooky season. There are strange happenings, old-timey lore, odd characters, and haunted vibes that you won’t be able to get enough of. And each episode ends with such a fantastic cliffhanger that you’ll want to keep watching, even if it is after your bedtime.
I’m not a big horror person, but I had a blast with this. While there are some spooky scenes and some horrifying plotlines, there are also plenty of comedic moments thanks to the rag-tag group of protagonists at the heart of the show.
Kate O'Flynn, Matthew Rhys, and Stephen Root in Widow’s Bay | Credit: Apple TV
Widow’s Bay does an excellent job of balancing all of the competing priorities of the characters and the town. Mayor Tom Loftis is a bit of an outsider (even though he’s the mayor) because he wasn’t born there and doesn’t really understand how this strange town works. Even though he’s heard the stories, he doesn’t believe them, unlike some of the other characters that we meet throughout the season.
One of Tom’s big priorities is to get more tourism to their town. He believes that it can be just as big as Martha’s Vineyard, if only they get the right press. Tom presses this agenda, even though the other residents tell him not to. And the introduction of the island’s reputation, in addition to the safety of tourists, adds to the stakes as we witness all of the strange happenings in the town of Widow’s Bay.
As if that wasn’t enough, Tom is a single dad raising his teenage son, Evan (Kingston Rumi Southwick), who can’t help but be rebellious. Despite Tom’s best attempts to be a present father, things aren’t going so well. You feel Tom’s heartbreak and worry for his son growing up on this strange island without his mother. While Widow’s Bay is a comedy, it doesn’t shy away from some of the more difficult things that happen to people every day (without the haunted island).
The stand-out performance for me was Stephen Root as Wyck. He is the opposite of Tom in many ways. He’s experienced some of the worst horrors that it can unleash on its residents. Wyck is a real believer, and because he’s seen so much, he knows what to do in moments of panic. He’s a perfect foil to Tom, which makes their interactions always entertaining. Wyck knows more than Tom and seems to be one step ahead of him, always pleased when the uptight Mayor finally comes to his senses.
Matthew Rhys and Stephen Root in Widow’s Bay | Credit: Apple TV
Widow’s Bay is filled with so many colorful characters, like Patricia (Kate O'Flynn), who tries to do her best, but no one believes her. Or Rosemary (Dale Dickey), the chain-smoking civil servant who is always available for both insight and sass. Or Ruth (K Callan), Tom’s secretary who just can’t seem to do her job for very long, but is a pillar in the community. These are just a few of the eccentric people living on this quirky island that we get to follow. And each interaction is more entertaining than the last.
The first season of Widow’s Bay is a favorite with both fans and critics, and I cannot wait to see what season two has in store!