Apple TV+ wildlife documentary series Tiny World landed on the streaming service Friday, alongside multiple new episodes of current shows.
In addition to all six episodes of Tiny World — which is narrated by everyone’s favorite actor, Paul Rudd — Apple TV+ viewers also can enjoy new episodes of acclaimed spy drama Tehran and the Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman travel series Long Way Up. Friday also brings the season finale of hit comedy Ted Lasso.
Tiny World is Apple’s first wildlife documentary series. (Although not its first wildlife documentary: The service launched with The Elephant Queen in November 2019.) You can check out Cult of Mac‘s review of Tiny World here.
As suggested by the show’s title, and the casting of Ant-Man actor Rudd as narrator, Tiny World focuses on the smaller side of the natural world. As Apple writes in its preview, the show highlights:
“Nature’s lesser-known tiny heroes. Spotlighting small creatures and the extraordinary things they do to survive, each episode is filled with surprising stories and spectacular cinematography.”
Unlike most Apple TV+ shows, Apple has debuted all six episodes of Tiny World today. Their titles clue the viewer in on what they’re about: “Savannah,” “Jungle,” “Island,” “Outback,” “Woodland” and “Garden.”
New episodes of other Apple TV+ shows
Along with Tiny World, several other Apple TV+ series get new episodes. One is Tehran, Apple’s spy series about a Mossad hacker-agent who infiltrates Iran to destroy the country’s nuclear reactor. Episode four of the show is titled “Shakira and Sickboy.” The preview reads as follows:
“When she finds a commune of young regime opponents, Tamar takes refuge with them — and becomes close with Milad.”
There’s also the season finale of comedy series Ted Lasso, following a hapless U.S. football coach who gets a job coaching a soccer team in England. The last episode is titled “The Hope That Kills You.” The preview reads as follows:
“Season finale. Richmond plays a climactic match that will determine the fates of Ted and his club.”
Finally, there is another episode of travel series Long Way Up, featuring Ewan McGregor and friend Charley Boorman traveling on electric motorcycles across South and Central America. Episode 5, “Atacama Desert Into Bolivia,” is described as follows:
“Ewan and Charley head through Argentina’s red rock landscape while a member of their team copes with altitude sickness.”
Coming up to 1 year old
Approaching one year after its November 2019 launch, Apple TV+ is really coming into its own. Its rate of hits versus misses is impressive. Furthermore, Apple’s stance of avoiding acquiring existing shows and, instead, developing its own is bearing fruit.
Apple’s far from the only company to be making original shows for its streaming service. But, unlike Netflix and others, Apple owns 100% of the shows in its library. There’s no The Office or Friends which could be snatched away by rivals at a later date. As with everything Apple does, it’s a calculated long-term play. With big name movies from the likes of Martin Scorsese, the Russo brothers and Sofia Coppola in the works, Apple TV+ is looking more compelling all the time.
Available to watch on Apple TV+
Apple TV+ costs $4.99 per month, although it is currently free for one year if you buy a new iPad, iPhone, Mac or Apple TV. It will also form part of the recently announced subscription bundle Apple One, a collection of Apple services offered at a discount. Apple One will debut later this fall.
Which Apple TV+ shows or movies have you particularly enjoyed so far? Which ones would you give a miss? Let us know in the comments below.
