Little America on Apple TV+: Should you watch the critically acclaimed show?
This Apple TV+ series paints a broad (and hopeful) picture of the American immigrant experience.
Ever since its launch in November 2019, streaming service Apple TV+ aimed to focus on quality rather than quantity. The platform doesn't seem interested in building a huge library of shows and movies. Instead, it wants to curate content for prestige TV enthusiasts and deliver titles "from today's most imaginative storytellers".
Yet, most of the content in the Apple TV+ library got mixed reviews from critics, at least initially. Even the platform's flagship show,Morning Wars (The Morning Show), was welcomed with lukewarm enthusiasm at best, despite scoring Apple TV+ its first awards nominations.
With Little America the service's luck seems to change. The anthology series is enjoying a lot of hype, earning praise left and right thanks to its heartwarming content and deeply human stories. But is it for you? Let's figure it out.
When is Little America coming out?
All eight episodes from the first season of Little America are now streaming on Apple TV+. The series has already been renewed for a second season.
What is Little America about?
Little America is an anthology series, which means the episodes aren't related. Instead, each focuses on a different plot and boasts a different cast. That being said, all episodes revolve around the same theme of immigration.
Inspired by true accounts featured in Epic Magazine, every episode of Little America delivers an inspiring, funny, surprising or heartfelt story that involves an immigrant in the United States. For instance, one episode is about a young boy who is left to run the family's motel after his parents are deported. Another one follows a Nigerian man attempting to fit into the cowboy culture of 80s Oklahoma. You get the idea.
Who stars in Little America?
The series follows eight different immigrants in America, each with their own supporting players. As a result, the cast is a mix of newcomers, character actors and a couple of stars. This actually works in the show's favour, as it maintains authenticity.
Among them Suraj Sharma (Life of Pi), Zachary Quinto (Star Trek), Shaun Toub (Homeland), Haaz Sleiman (Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan) and John Ortiz (Ad Astra).
Little America: Is it any good?
Yes. The show was received with universal acclaim from critics, with fans from all over the world praising it as well. It currently has a 100% (!) score on Rotten Tomatoes.
What makes the series so worthy of praise is the fact that it doesn't have an agenda. It isn't political. It aims to tell human stories and it does so with empathy and honesty. Although the stories vary in scope, they're all moving, well-acted and thoughtful. The fact that they're inspired by true events is the cherry on top.
Each episode revolving around another character is a plus, as it gives Little America a chance to explore different experiences related to immigration. We're happy to report that it does so beautifully, with nuance and a hopeful tone.
If all this doesn't convince you, the behind-the-scenes talent should. Little America originates from Emmy Award-nominated Lee Eisenberg (The Office), Academy Award nominees Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V Gordon (The Big Sick), Emmy Award winner Alan Yang (Master of None) and Epic Magazine.
Apple TV+ details
Streaming service Apple TV+ offers a variety of series and movies for $7.99/month. New users get a free one-week trial.
Popular content on the platform includes quirky series Dickinson and chilling show Servant. The streamer also has a lot of exciting titles currently in development.
Image source: AppleTV website
