If you've been watching Apple TV+'s Widow's Bay, you already know that Kate O'Flynn is the secret weapon of the horror-comedy series. As Patricia, the underappreciated municipal worker who finds purpose when Mayor Tom Loftis (Matthew Rhys) gets in over his head, O'Flynn delivers a performance that's both hilarious and heartfelt. But if you're already missing Patricia now that the season has wrapped, there's another show where O'Flynn's comedic timing is on full display: the Channel 4 sitcom Everyone Else Burns.
The Hidden Gem of Widow's Bay
Widow's Bay takes the classic Stephen King trope of a small town plagued by horrors and gives it a refreshing, comedic spin. While Matthew Rhys and Stephen Root anchor the series, it's O'Flynn's Patricia who steals the show, especially in the episode where her sunset cocktail party goes hilariously awry. The series has officially concluded its first season, but O'Flynn's performance is one of the highlights. For those who want more, Everyone Else Burns is the perfect follow-up.
Everyone Else Burns: A Satirical Masterpiece
In Everyone Else Burns, O'Flynn plays Fiona Lewis, the matriarch of a Manchester family devoted to a puritanical form of Christianity. The show is a satirical take on religious extremism, and O'Flynn's deadpan delivery is the perfect counterbalance to her husband David's (Simon Bird) over-the-top devotion. David is the Michael Scott of this sitcom—a leader who probably shouldn't be one, with his offensive bowl haircut and blind belief that he is God's instrument.
Fiona, on the other hand, is the hilarious salve to this issue. She's devout but not ridiculous, and she enjoys modern conveniences like television while still believing the apocalypse is imminent. Her journey throughout the series is one of self-discovery, as she begins to acknowledge the hypocrisy and misogyny of organized religion. O'Flynn's performance is a careful tightrope walk, making Fiona the best character in the series.
Why You Need to Watch Both Shows
Everyone Else Burns is almost the antithesis of Widow's Bay, but both shows harness similar humor. While the sitcom leans into the purity of religion, the Apple TV series is more satanic. Patricia would be disavowed by the Lewis family, especially after committing a demonic ritual that almost kills everyone on the island. But O'Flynn is the secret weapon of both shows, no matter what side of the demonic line she's on.
For fans of O'Flynn's unique brand of humor, Everyone Else Burns is a natural follow-up. The show's title alone conveys its tone, and O'Flynn's comedic timing is a trademark of the actor. If you loved her in Widow's Bay, you'll adore her in this British sitcom.
More to Explore on Apple TV+
If you're looking for more great content on Apple TV+, check out Colin Farrell's 'Sugar' Season 2 and Gideon Raff's new spy thriller 'Safe Houses'. And for more on Widow's Bay, don't miss our coverage of the finale twist and season 2 plans.
