Apple TV+ boasts lots of great content, but what should you watch first? In this article, we list the best shows to watch on Apple TV+. So you'll know what to watch first when you sign up for the free trial...

1. The Morning Show

The Morning Show was Apple's flagship title when Apple TV+ launched. And who's surprised? It stars Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, and Steve Carrell---all showing off their acting chops with spectacular performances. Although it might take a couple of episodes to get going, The Morning Show builds into a captivating drama.

It introduces us to the cast and crew of a morning news show just as everything unravels when one of the hosts is fired for sexual misconduct. Jennifer Aniston's character remains on the air, but she then needs to fight to stay relevant alongside a fiery new co-host.

2. For All Mankind

The premise behind this show is simple: What if the Russians had won the space race? It wouldn't have looked good for the US, that's for sure. The makers behind For All Mankind believe it might have led NASA to take greater risks in order to prove itself on the global stage.

Set in an alternate history, For All Mankind follows the historical figures and family members central to NASA's operations during this time. It tracks the NASA program across the following years, bringing together the whole team's hard work for a gripping finale.

3. Dickinson

Emily Dickinson was a prolific 19th-century poet and rebel. This half-hour comedy-drama shines a modern light on her various escapades as Emily frustrates those around her in search of the independence she desires.

The show is inventive and visually splendid, with poetry burning onto the screen as Emily pens it onto scraps of paper. It's an invigorating watch and a wonderful way to celebrate the life of a great writer.

4. Defending Jacob

Based on the novel of the same name, Defending Jacob follows the Barber family after Andy and Laurie's son, Jacob, is accused of murdering his classmate. The situation is further complicated by the fact that Andy was initially tasked to investigate the case.

This dark show is somber, well-paced, and filled with twists and turns. It begs you to ask if you could suspect your own children of such atrocities. Sure, Jacob seems off-kilter, but can he really be a murderer?

5. Home Before Dark

Hilde Lisko is a reporter investigating an unsolved murder in her new town. She's also a nine-year-old girl. This show is loosely based on the life of Hilde Lysiak; it's an entertaining drama that comes to life through the impressive performance of its young star.

Home Before Dark is a 10-part series---each episode being an hour long---that traces Hilde's steps as she breathes life back into a cold murder case. If you're looking for shows to watch after Stranger Things, this is the best option on Apple TV+.

6. Servant

After a tragic loss, the affluent Turner family hires a nanny to help raise their newborn son. But this newcomer is not who or what she seems. Shortly after the nanny's arrival, all manner of inexplicable events begin to transpire. And husband Sean is determined to get to the bottom of them.

A production credit from M. Night Shyamalan isn't the guarantee of quality that it once was. Nonetheless, Servant is a creepy, mysterious, and well-acted drama that is beautifully shot. Each half-hour episode finds a way to be deeply unsettling while still drawing you back for more.

7. Trying

Nikki and Jason are trying to have a baby. But when complications make that look like an impossible scenario they start looking at adoption instead. That means they need to sort their lives out first. They may be in their 30s, but that doesn't mean they have it all together.

This British comedy-drama is charming and witty, filled with lovable characters that you can't help but root for. You'll find yourself burning through the 30-minute episodes in no time at all. Especially seeing as there are only eight of them.

8. Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet

This wacky comedy follows the creators of Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet. It's the most popular multiplayer video game of all time. But the creative director is an egocentric child, the lead engineer is chronically under-appreciated, and the executive producer is woefully incapable of managing all of these larger-than-life personalities.

As you might expect from a show made by the creators of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Mythic Quest is hilariously off the wall. But it also offers a couple of standout dramatic moments in the form of a flashback episode and a quarantine special.

If you're looking for the best TV shows to binge-watch during lockdown, Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet is a good option.

9. Little America

Through eight half-hour episodes, Little America tells the true stories of different immigrants and the struggles they experienced building a life for themselves in the US of A. As an anthology series, each episode stands alone. They're all based on different stories from the Little America collection in Epic Magazine.

In the first episode, a young boy finds himself managing his family's motel on his own. In the final episode, a gay Syrian man departs his home country in search of asylum in America. There's a great deal of range across this Apple TV+ original, and you can expect to feel an equally diverse range of emotions as you watch it.

10. Visible: Out on Television

Visible: Out on Television is a five-part documentary series that explores LGBTQ representation on American television. The show begins with "The Dark Ages," back when broadcasters couldn't show homosexuality in a positive light. It then moves through the decades to explore representation in contemporary shows.

Bolstered by star-studded interviews, Visible weaves a touching narrative that highlights the power of television on national culture. As you journey through the years, you'll find yourself heartbroken by tales of hate, but also uplifted by those of triumph and success.

Apple TV+: Quality Over Quantity

Apple TV+ boasts some incredibly high-quality shows that are worth watching. Yet there is still less content than you can expect to find elsewhere. This is because almost everything on Apple TV+ is original while other services fill their libraries with older content sourced elsewhere.

The contrast is particularly evident with Disney+. Although Disney+ launched at a similar time to Apple TV+, it came with a huge catalog of existing movies and TV shows. So, when you've watched everything available on Apple TV+, take a look at the best movies and TV shows to watch on Disney+.