The curse isn’t lifting anytime soon. Apple TV renewed its horror-comedy hit “Widow’s Bay” for a second season on Thursday. Even better news for fans: the streamer also set a new multi-year deal with the series’ creator, showrunner and executive producer Katie Dippold. The news came ahead of Season 1’s finale, which will premiere on Apple TV June 17. Here’s everything you need to know about the renewal, Dippold’s deal, what to expect in Season 2, and more.
Season 2 Announcement — What We Know
Just ahead of next week’s Season 1 finale, Apple TV has announced a Season 2 renewal for its hit horror-comedy series Widow’s Bay, starring and executive produced by Emmy winner Matthew Rhys.
Season 2 Details at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Series Title | Widow’s Bay |
| Season | Season 2 (Renewed) |
| Season 1 Finale | June 17, 2026 |
| Season 2 Status | In development |
| OTT Platform | Apple TV+ |
| Creator | Katie Dippold |
| Lead Star | Matthew Rhys |
Katie Dippold’s Multi-Year Overall Deal
Additionally, the streamer clearly wants to stay in business with series creator Katie Dippold, signing her to a new multi-year overall deal. No details were revealed, but we hear the deal encompasses series as well as a first-look on features.
Apple TV has also signed Widow’s Bay creator Katie Dippold to a multi-year overall deal. She’ll continue to serve as showrunner of the series and also develop new projects.
Katie Dippold’s Background
Widow’s Bay has earned critical praise (and some famous fans) over the course of its first season. Dippold told The Hollywood Reporter that she’s had the show in her head for nearly 20 years — and almost sold a version it to Amazon in 2013 before pulling it back. “I just had this bad feeling,” she said. “I put a pin in it. I just knew it wasn’t ready. I knew I hadn’t thought enough about the show or the world.“
What to Expect from Season 2
Creator Katie Dippold offered a characteristically tongue-in-cheek tease about the upcoming season. “Season 2 is about how everything is great on the island and there’s nothing to worry about,” said Dippold.
Given the tone of Season 1 and the cliffhanger ending approaching in the finale, fans can safely assume that’s not exactly the full picture.
Apple TV+’s Enthusiasm
“From the moment audiences arrived in Widow’s Bay, they’ve been hooked on every eerie mystery, unexpected laughs, and cursed secret that Katie, Hiro [Murai], Matthew, and the entire team have created,” said Matt Cherniss, head of programming, Apple TV. “It’s become one of those shows everyone’s talking about, and we’re thrilled to see audiences continue to embrace it. We can’t wait to return for another season.”
The Show — A Quick Refresher
The series follows Mayor Tom Loftis (Rhys), a man desperate to bring tourists to his town and sell it as a cheery vacation destination despite its nonexistent Wi-fi, spotty cell service, superstitious locals and mysterious happenings.
Most of Season 1 saw Loftis trying and failing to win over the locals. But against all odds, Loftis succeeded in his mission of bringing tourists to the town. The only problem is that the locals he spent so long dismissing are right as old legends once whispered over bar tops start happening again.
Full Cast and Creative Team
In addition to Rhys, “Widow’s Bay” stars Kate O’Flynn, Stephen Root, Kingston Rumi Southwick, Kevin Carroll and Dale Dickey. K Callan and Jeff Hiller are part of Season 1’s supporting cast.
Main Cast
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Matthew Rhys | Mayor Tom Loftis |
| Kate O’Flynn | Patricia |
| Stephen Root | Wyck |
| Kingston Rumi Southwick | Evan Loftis |
| Kevin Carroll | Sheriff Bechir Clemmons |
| Dale Dickey | Rosemary |
| K Callan | Supporting |
| Jeff Hiller | Supporting |
Behind the Camera
Murai executive produces with Dippold through his banner Chum Films alongside Carver Karaszewski, Claudia Shin and Rhys. Murai directed five episodes in the first season, with the other episodes in the season directed by Ti West, Sam Donovan and Andrew DeYoung.
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Creator / Showrunner | Katie Dippold |
| Lead Star / EP | Matthew Rhys |
| Director / EP | Hiro Murai |
| Production | Apple Studios |
| Directors | Hiro Murai, Ti West, Sam Donovan, Andrew DeYoung |
Critical and Audience Reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds an approval rating of 97%, based on 76 reviews, with an average of rated reviews of 8.5/10. The website’s critics consensus reads, “Katie Dippold successfully continues to invest in eccentricity with this outlandish horror-comedy that stokes the genre’s well-worn tropes to winning effect, bringing scares, laughs, and a game cast.“
Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 78 out of 100 based on 26 critics, indicating “generally favorable” reviews.
Season 1 Finale Details
Widow’s Bay wraps up its first season on Wednesday, June 17 on Apple TV. The first two episodes were released on Apple TV on April 29, 2026, with further episodes being made available weekly.
