Matthew Rhys, star of the upcoming Apple TV+ series Widow's Bay, admits the show's horror elements even made him jump. The series, set in a cursed New England town, blends genuine scares with sharp comedy. Rhys plays Mayor Tom Loftis, who must attract tourists despite a poisonous fog, tales of cannibalism, and a ghostly clown killer. 'I'm not a fan of the clowns,' Rhys jokes.
A Stellar Creative Team
The show brings together an impressive lineup. Showrunner Katie Dippold, known for co-writing Parks and Recreation, collaborates with director Hiro Murai, who shaped Atlanta and produced The Bear. The cast includes Stephen Root from Barry and Kate O'Flynn from Everyone Else Burns. Despite their comedic backgrounds, the series delivers genuine horror. 'Although there's some horrific performances in our past,' Rhys quips.
Unexpected Reactions
Rhys recalls reading the scripts with visceral reactions. 'We all jumped at the scripts. It felt like a very real world. I had a few episodes towards the end where I would make an involuntary noise. I sincerely hope the audience has the same reaction.' When asked what noise, Rhys demonstrates a mangled gasp, adding, 'But it was involuntary.'
At the premiere, Root noted that many viewers were drawn to the show's unusual tonal blend. 'It's an original show, and that's what really drew them,' he says.
Inspirations and Easter Eggs
Dippold drew inspiration from Jaws, with Rhys's mayor echoing the iconic character who prioritizes summer tourism over safety. Stephen King also looms large, with fans spotting Easter eggs, including an entire second episode riffing on room 1408. Rhys praises the prop department for 'outdoing themselves.'
O'Flynn describes Dippold as 'obsessed' with horror, which may surprise Parks and Rec fans. 'She's a smallish blonde woman. She doesn't look like she'd love to rip your head off, but she loves it. It's fantastic,' Root adds.
Filming in New England
The series was filmed in New England, which the cast calls 'beautiful' despite the show's murky vibes. O'Flynn notes, 'There's a kind of false memory about the place, having seen it in different horror films and books.'
Superstitions and Welsh Roots
Rhys, who is Welsh, feels at home with the town's superstitions. 'Coming from Wales, where myth, legends, fables, tales are at Olympic level, I felt like it was in some very familiar territory. Superstitions galore.' He also acknowledges theatrical superstitions like 'break a leg' and 'The Scottish Play,' adding, 'You add to that everything that went with this; it was commonplace for us.'
The first two episodes of Widow's Bay are now streaming on Apple TV+.
