Lucky (2026)

From thrilling start to satisfying finish, Apple TV’s seven-part miniseries proves an unqualified 2026 standout.

It’s a lean, fast ride that still offers plenty of opportunity to stop and appreciate the human moments wedged in between the thrills.

The series' primary strength is its ability to function as an Anya Taylor-Joy delivery system. Its secondary is how it does the same for Timothy Olyphant, allowing him to be charming and grizzled and superhumanly relaxed, and for Annette Bening.

It can be quite violent, but it’s not off-putting — not for more than a couple minutes at a time, anyway — and even at seven episodes, the flow is so well arranged as to remain engaging.

Ultimately, Lucky never quite adds up to more than the sum of its impressive parts.

Jonathan Tropper’s take on the material is half frivolous lark, half self-important commentary, wholly nothing in particular, though Anya Taylor-Joy and a solid ensemble cast work hard to swim against the underdeveloped stream.

Lucky’s joyless capering is an awkward fit – a roll of the dice that ends badly for all involved.

Seems like every week brings another action series, but this one has two outstanding features. First, Anya Taylor-Joy in the title role, who’s is tough, sly and deftly navigates the occasional, well-staged pursuits. The action scenes are the other strong aspect of the series. The series starts as she and her beau (Drew Starkey) accomplish a $10 million heist, but quickly goes wrong, leaving her to outrun the FBI and his corrupt mother (Annette Bening, sharp as always). Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, as the FBI agent, continually rises to her character’s challenges, while Timothy Olyphant quietly plays supportive the long-distance father (he’s in jail some of the time). The showrunner is Jonathan Tropper, best known for “Your Friends and Neighbors," so he’s accomplished in creating intriguing and unusual circumstances. While the plot is never especially surprising (at least so far), it’s the chase sequences and the strong performances that provide the most enjoyment. (Review based on four out of seven 40-minute eps.)

Although I started watching the show with no expectation and just wanting to have fun, after episode 3 it really got hard to ignore how awful the writing of the characters is and how the show is portraying men (not even one good male in the show!). 5.5 at best

A mediocre show to begin with that became ridiculous at the end. Decent cast but very weak story.

This was so dumb. Died every time a long ass heartfelt conversation had to start right in the middle of every high stakes situation. HOLD UP... WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT THIS. Everyone has to explain their motivations in deep detail; everyone except this one dude toward the end who's just like "lol yep it me." What a waste of talent. wtf..

I was here because of Anya Taylor Joy. She's doing a fine job, but the writing, the story, the fight scenes are all so bad. 3 points because you can see anya trying but this is just pure ass. Repetitive, weak, childish, plot after plot. The Gorge was a good movie though with Anya, watch that.