Gripping new Apple TV+ space thriller that fans are giving a near-perfect rating

Mystery, thrills and space are at the core of the latest show to land on streaming platform Apple TV+.

The show, released this week on Wednesday (21 February), has an all-star cast and already has a near perfect rating from viewers over on Rotten Tomatoes.

Leading the show is Noomi Rapace (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Prometheus) as Johanna Ericsson as an astronaut who returns to Earth after suffering disaster on board the International Space Station.

Apple TV+

But all is not as it seems, with key pieces of her life, including her young daughter, completely upended.

Joining Rapace is Jonathan Banks (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul) starring as twin brothers Henry and Bud Caldera. He's tasked with trying to unlock the mysteries behind what happened to Rapace's character in the four-part series.

There's also James D'Arcy as Rapace's on-screen husband Magnus Taylor. Viewers might recognise him from Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk and Oppenheimer as well as minor roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Avengers: Endgame and Agent Carter.

The trailer for the TV show sets the eerie scene, with Banks' character saying: "I invented a machine we took into space, and I saw something. But it seems like it doesn't want to be seen."

We're talking, of course, about new show Constellation. It's been brought to us by Peter Harness, who has served as a writer on Wallander and Doctor Who.

Check out the trailer for the show below:

The first three episodes of Constellation were released this week, with the fourth and final part set to air on 28 February.

With just a day's viewing under audiences' belts, it's already scoring an almost perfect 94 percent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

One viewer said: "There is a sense of urgency throughout the first three episodes with a seriously dark side and a very real human emotional side as well.

"What a great series so far."

A second said: "One of the most entrancing and interesting shows I’ve seen in a long time.

Apple TV+

"It’s very suspenseful, very entertaining, very intriguing. All that’s left to do is stick the landing. Hope the end of the season is as good as the start."

A third added: "The astronaut content is great, but the psychological aspect feels a bit repetitive.

"After two episodes, I'm hoping it leads to something more worthwhile."

Critics aren't as favourable as audiences, with it scoring 72 percent. Still a solid score, but not quite the heights of a score in the 90s.