My favorite underrated Apple TV show just came back and I need more people to watch it immediately ‣ Diverse Daily

The crime drama field is more crowded than ever, with countless new series spread across multiple streaming platforms. But with so many shows competing for viewers’ attention, and only so much time to watch them all, fans of the genre often gravitate towards the best-in-class. That’s a label fit for Apple TV’s Sugar, an acclaimed series that has returned for a second season.

As a crime drama fan, evocative noir stories are my bread and butter. This Colin Farrell-led series fits squarely into the neo-noir subgenre, enjoying the company of shows like True Detective or legendary films like Se7en. With a show business titan like Farrell at the lead, Sugar offers viewers an investigative thread saturated in character-driven drama, atmospheric mystery, and thought-provoking themes focused on introspection and human connection.

What you need to know about Sugar

An introduction to Apple TV’s noir thriller

Written by Mark Protosevich (I Am Legend, The Cell), this series follows John Sugar (Farrell), an introverted private investigator in Los Angeles, who is hired by a Hollywood producer to find his missing granddaughter. Of course, this wouldn’t be a compelling series if this missing person’s case were straightforward without layers of twists, reveals, and dark secrets. As a series, film buffs will be enthralled by the show’s clear homage to classic noir cinema. It plays like a tribute to detective cinema while rooting the show’s identity in its central, titular character.

Currently, the series’ first season sits at a comfortable 81% critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with an audience score not far behind (80%). Undoubtedly, season 1 of Sugar justified its continued existence, and the next season is now available.

What does the Sugar season 2 release schedule look like?

When you can expect each episode for season 2

The first episode of Sugar season 2 became available to stream through Apple TV on June 19th, and a single new episode will premiere each Friday through August 7th. That weekly release schedule is designed to give viewers time to digest each episode arc before the follow-up arrives a week later. It also allows online discussion and fan theories to build between episodes, a rarity in the modern era of binging. But if the age of streaming has spoiled you as it has me, then you can always wait until August 7th to binge the entire series without the week-long waits between episodes.

How to watch Sugar Season 2

There are a few subscription options available

Apple TV channel listings, including F1 and MLS.

If you’re new to Apple TV, snag that 7-day free trial. There’s a lot that can be done in just 7 days. If you’re only signing up to watch Sugar Season 2, the seven-day free trial may be enough to catch the premiere and explore some of Apple TV’s other original series.

If you’re already a Peacock subscriber, you can bundle Apple TV for just $2 additional per month. That’s not a bad deal. In fact, I just discovered this deal myself, and consolidated my Peacock and Apple TV accounts to save a few bucks. This will bring your total to $14.99/month for both services.

Another option with a limited window that you might consider is to consolidate your Apple TV offerings with Amazon Prime as an add-on subscription. New subscribers can obtain the first month of Apple TV for just $5.99. But you won’t get that stellar Peacock/Apple TV low-cost bundle.

Will Sugar season 2 eventually be available on other streaming services?

Don’t expect Apple’s hit mystery series to arrive on Netflix anytime soon

John Sugar in Sugar season 1 on Apple TV

As it stands, Apple TV originals generally do not find their way over to other streaming services like Netflix. Apple has often favored keeping its original programming closely associated with Apple TV, using exclusive content as one of the platform’s biggest draws. While Apple TV isn’t known for its quantity of originals, it is completely known for its quality in episodic production. While there have been exceptions and limited licensing arrangements in the past, there is currently no indication that Sugar will be available on Netflix or other major streaming services in the near future.

For now, it seems, viewers will have to access Apple TV to watch the best the service has to offer. Fortunately, Apple offers multiple ways to subscribe beyond its primary app. With its compelling mystery, standout performances, striking noir influence, and revealing twists along the way, now is an excellent time to catch up before season 2 wraps up.