You can’t get a much better cast than Severance, but Apple TV’s new comedy thriller is putting up a great fight. Though Severance is only two seasons in, it’s been clear for quite some time now that this series is a pretty big deal. The concept is mind-bendingly unique, the tone is just scary enough, and the dry comedy is woven into every moment. Severance‘s absolutely phenomenal cast brings all of this together.

Severance was set up to be a winner with Adam Scott serving as its star, and names like Patricia Arquette, John Turturro, and Christopher Walken certainly don’t hurt either. Then there were those who weren’t so well known before taking on their Severance roles, including Britt Lower, Tramell Tillman, and Zach Cherry, who became sensations almost overnight thanks to their excellent performances. Overall, the cast of Severance is a tier-one example of what every TV show should strive for.

Now, Apple TV has proven that its Severance cast was no accident. The platform has duplicated that careful sort of success with Widow’s Bay, another TV show that demands its cast to exercise the perfect balance of drama and comedy. Once again, this has a lot to do with familiar stars like Matthew Rhys. However, just as in Severance, it’s the lesser-known actors or smaller parts that really seem to make magic.

The Best Performances Of Widow’s Bay Are The Most Surprising

It’s no big surprise that Rhys is fantastic in Widow’s Bay. The actor plays the frazzled mayor of the titular island town, and his balance between painfully exasperated and thoroughly horrified is true perfection. The way this series is set up, Rhys’ character is nearly always front and center but surrounded by a handful of seemingly minor characters—the residents of Widow’s Bay. The show may have its central star, but, like Severance, it’s those subtler parts that really make Widow’s Bay shine.

Stephen Root is a tried and true actor, so a top-quality performance in Widow’s Bay should be expected. Still, it’s miraculous what he managed to do with his small-town hick character, Wyck. It brings to mind Walken’s work in Severance. He wasn’t on screen nearly as much as he could have been, but he left a resonant impact. Root has done just the same with Wyck, whose passionate knowledge of Widow’s Bay haunts has become a highlight of the show.

Then there is Kate O’Flynn, who plays Patricia in Widow’s Bay. O’Flynn is a well-known actor in the UK, but she hasn’t yet become a household name in the US. That’s bound to change as her character continues to steal the show in every scene she is in. Patricia is almost agonizingly awkward, but O’Flynn makes her lovable and, most importantly, absolutely hilarious in the most subtle ways.

That’s not all, of course. Dale Dickey’s always-smoking Rosemary is a riot in each of her relatively few scenes, while newcomer Kingston Rumi Southwick (who plays Tom’s son, Evan) has proven himself to be entirely charming. Widow’s Bay is full of “small” parts, but, just as in Severance, it’s these that carry all the weight and maintain that careful balance.

Apple TV Is Ushering In A New Era Of Comedy Television With Severance & Widow’s Bay

Severance and Widow’s Bay are very different shows on paper, but they feel rather comparable all the same. While one is a psychological thriller and the other a more genuine horror, both use workplace sitcom tropes to layer these darker genres with comedy. Severance has some The Office vibes, while Widow’s Bay draws from shows like Parks & Recreation. It’s a strange sort of blend, but there’s no denying that it works.

Apple TV didn’t exactly invent the workplace comedy-horror, but it has certainly perfected it. The key is exceptionally well-written characters and a cast of genius performers to play them. Central protagonists are important, but it’s the side characters and smaller parts that will carry the weight of the situational comedy, so casting these just right should be an even higher priority. As both Severance and Widow’s Bay demonstrate this, other screenwriters and companies are sure to follow suit.