The best Apple TV+ drama you’re probably not watching
The best Apple TV+ drama you’re probably not watching
‘Hijack’ didn’t get the spotlight it deserved, but it’s one of the most addictive series on the platform.
There’s so much dropping on Apple TV+ all the time (which is a great thing for subscribers!) that even a show starring the incredible Idris Elba can get lost in the shuffle. “Hijack” actually cracked Apple+’s Top 10 when it premiered, but you wouldn’t know it from the lack of buzz. Maybe it got overshadowed by shinier releases like “Silo” or “Ted Lasso,” but I was shouting about it to anyone who would listen. This show rips. It’s tense, addictive, and Elba is in full command. If you missed it the first time around, here’s why “Hijack” is the best under-the-radar drama on Apple TV+ right now.
Best under-the-radar drama TV show on Apple TV+
Why ‘Hijack’ is the most underrated drama series on Apple TV+
If you’ve missed seeing Idris Elba in full action-hero mode, “Hijack” delivers. He’s smoldering, intense, charismatic — basically everything he was in “Luther,” but now trapped on a seven-hour flight with a plane full of terrified passengers and armed hijackers. My wife and I ended up binging the whole thing over a weekend, it’s just that good. The tension never really lets up, and Elba is magnetic the entire time.
What makes “Hijack” stand out is just how high-concept the premise is. Elba plays Sam Nelson, a corporate negotiator who uses his brain instead of brute force to try and outmaneuver the hijackers. Each episode plays out in real time, so the whole series unfolds hour by hour across a single flight. It’s a genius structure, because the stakes are sky-high (literally), and every little decision feels urgent. I kept telling everyone I knew to watch it, because it seriously does not disappoint. It’s gripping from start to finish, with smart writing and just the right amount of unpredictability.
But even though it landed on the Apple TV+ Top 10 when it dropped, hardly anyone was talking about it. Part of that might be because it came out during a crowded stretch — Apple had a bunch of buzzy shows all dropping at once. “Hijack” didn’t have the flashy marketing of something like “Silo” or “Ted Lasso,” so it kind of got buried. But now that a second season is officially in the works, this is the perfect time to catch up. If you like your thrillers sharp, fast-paced, and character-driven, “Hijack” is sitting right there on Apple TV+, just waiting to be binged.
Watch a trailer for ‘Hijack’
Hijack
Expert negotiator Sam Nelson is in for the ride of his life—and so is everyone on board with him—after a group of hijackers take control. Sam will try every move in his playbook to take them down…as the stakes grow higher by the second.
What is ‘Hijack’ about?
“Hijack” is a high-stakes thriller set almost entirely on a commercial flight from Dubai to London. Idris Elba plays Sam Nelson, a corporate negotiator who jumps into action when the plane is taken over by a group of armed hijackers. But instead of fighting his way through the crisis, Sam uses strategy, manipulation, and psychological tactics to try and outsmart the hijackers before the plane lands. The catch? Each episode covers one hour of the seven-hour flight, so the whole series plays out in real time. It’s tense, sharp, and makes every moment feel urgent.
The first season wraps up in a pretty satisfying way, but Apple TV+ recently confirmed that a Season 2 is coming. They haven’t revealed what the next crisis will be, but Idris Elba is back as Sam and says it’ll be another “high-octane” situation. Based on how Season 1 went, you can probably expect a whole new setting with the same real-time format and Elba once again forced to think fast under pressure. There’s no official release date yet, but if production stays on track, Season 2 could land sometime in 2025.
Other underappreciated drama TV shows on Apple TV+
If you’re digging “Hijack” and want more underrated dramas on Apple TV+, there are a few other gems worth checking out. “Tehran” is a tightly-wound spy thriller about a Mossad agent deep undercover in Iran — it’s intense, high-stakes, and doesn’t get nearly the credit it deserves. “Liaison,” starring Vincent Cassel and Eva Green, blends political with personal drama, and while it didn’t land with critics across the board, there’s a lot here for fans of sleek, globe-trotting thrillers. And for something completely different, “Swagger” dives into the world of youth basketball with real heart. Inspired by Kevin Durant’s early life, it’s packed with solid performances and moving storylines that go way beyond the court. These shows didn’t get much mainstream attention, but they’re all worth a spot in your queue.
Apple TV
Apple TV (formerly known as Apple TV+) is a subscription video streaming service for $14.99 per month, offering a growing slate of original series, films, documentaries, and specials. Unlike other platforms that combine licensed titles with originals, Apple TV is built entirely around exclusive programming, making it the home of critically acclaimed hits such as “Ted Lasso,” “Severance,” “The Morning Show,” and “Silo.” Its lineup continues to expand with award-winning dramas, comedies, family-friendly shows, and blockbuster original films like “CODA,” which won the Academy Award for Best Picture.