AceShowbiz - Idris Elba's gripping thriller series Hijack has finally relinquished its position as the most-watched show on Apple TV. After dominating the platform’s viewership charts since the second season debuted in mid-January, Hijack has been overtaken by the returning mystery drama The Last Thing He Told Me, starring Jennifer Garner and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau.

Apple TV’s relatively uncluttered streaming library allows series to build audiences over time rather than being overshadowed by frequent new releases. This advantage helped Hijack maintain its top spot since its second season launch. The original seven-episode first season premiered in 2023, introducing viewers to Elba’s character, a skilled business negotiator caught aboard a hijacked flight from Dubai to London. Notably, the hijackers are depicted in a nuanced way, avoiding typical stereotypes.

The second season of Hijack unfolds over eight episodes set on a train in Germany. While the series has been well-received overall, it experienced a dip in critical acclaim compared to its first season. According to Rotten Tomatoes, the show holds a combined score of 81%, with the second season scoring 73%, down from the first season’s strong 90%. This season features performances from Toby Jones, Asher Ali, and Clare-Hope Ashitey, and is scheduled to conclude in early March.

Unlike many streaming platforms that release entire seasons at once, Apple TV opts for a staggered rollout, allowing shows like Hijack more time to gain and sustain viewers. The series had also replaced Apple TV’s previous hit, Pluribus, securing the number-one ranking in January before its eventual dethroning.

The new leader on Apple TV’s charts is The Last Thing He Told Me, which returned with a second season on February 20. The show, based on Laura Dave’s novel, centers on Hannah (played by Jennifer Garner) as she searches for her missing husband with the help of her stepdaughter, portrayed by Angourie Rice. The thriller’s first season premiered in 2023 to mixed reviews and currently holds an overall Rotten Tomatoes score of 42%, with the second season slightly improving to 43%.

Collider’s critic Tania Hussain observed that while the first season thrust Hannah into chaos, the new season explores how prolonged turmoil becomes ingrained in her life, deepening the character’s emotional complexity. This nuanced approach appears to have resonated with audiences, helping the series reclaim the top spot on Apple TV globally and domestically, according to FlixPatrol data.

For those tracking the shifting tides of streaming success, subscribing to newsletters focused on streaming rankings and review trends can provide valuable insights into which shows are gaining momentum or losing traction on platforms like Apple TV.

Both Hijack and The Last Thing He Told Me remain available to stream on Apple TV. Fans of high-stakes thrillers and mystery dramas will want to keep an eye on these series as they conclude their current seasons and vie for viewer attention in an increasingly competitive streaming landscape.