The awards season keeps moving forward, and Apple TV just proved its original programming can dominate the genre categories. At the 2026 Critics Choice Super Awards, the platform walked away with a combined five trophies across two of its standout shows. The horror hit Widow’s Bay and the sci-fi drama Pluribus both took home top honors, which cements the streamer’s growing footprint in television.
Both hit shows claim top genre acting and series trophies
Widow’s Bay carried the night in the horror categories by securing three separate awards. The show won Best Horror Series, while its leading stars Matthew Rhys and Kate O’Flynn won Best Actor and Best Actress in a Horror Series, respectively. The program is already carrying serious momentum, as it also holds 19 Emmy nominations this year.
Pluribus made its own mark in the science fiction and fantasy brackets with two major wins. The show grabbed the Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Series award, and Rhea Seehorn took home the Best Actress trophy for her leading role.
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Both programs have already been renewed for second seasons. Fans looking to catch up on the first seasons can stream the episodes now. The Critics Choice Super Awards specifically highlight the best in genre television and film, giving viewers a clear look at which shows lead the pack in science fiction, horror, and action.
Apple’s official description of Widow’s Bay:
“Widow’s Bay” is a quaint island town 40 miles off the coast of New England. But something lurks beneath the surface. Mayor Tom Loftis (Matthew Rhys) is desperate to revive his struggling community. There’s no Wi-Fi, spotty cellular reception and he must contend with superstitious locals who believe their island is cursed. He wants these people to respect him. They don’t. They think he is soft and cowardly. And he is. But Loftis is determined to build a better future for his teenage son and turn the island into a tourist destination. Miraculously, he succeeds: tourists are finally coming. Unfortunately, the locals were right. After decades of calm, the old stories that seemed too ludicrous to be true, start happening again. “Widow’s Bay” blends genuine horror with character-driven comedy.
Apple’s official description of Pluribus:
Pluribus follows Albuquerque author Carol Sturka, who is one of only 13 people in the world immune to the effects of the “Joining”, an event in which an extraterrestrial virus transformed the rest of humanity into a peaceful and content hive mind known as the “Others”. The hive mind happily accommodates the wishes of those who remain unaffected, but admits that it will ultimately seek to assimilate them when it learns how to do so. Carol is adamantly against their efforts as she searches for a way to reverse the Joining.
With these latest wins, Apple continues to show that its focus on high-production genre series is paying off. Earning critical recognition in both horror and science fiction proves the platform can build diverse, award-winning worlds outside of standard television dramas.
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