Apple TV’s streaming throne has a new occupant.
After dominating charts since November 2025, Vince Gilligan’s hit series Pluribus has been dethroned by an unexpected competitor.
According to FlixPatrol data, Hijack—the pulse-pounding thriller starring Idris Elba—has officially claimed the number one spot following the release of its highly anticipated second season.
The shift marks a significant moment for Apple TV, as Pluribus had previously set records as the platform’s biggest and most-watched series of all time.
What Makes Hijack So Captivating?
The series first premiered on June 28, 2023, introducing audiences to Sam Nelson, a corporate negotiator and lawyer portrayed by Elba. During a routine seven-hour flight from Dubai to London, Sam finds himself thrust into a life-or-death situation when criminals seize control of the aircraft.
What unfolds is a masterclass in tension. While European governments scramble to investigate the hijackers, Sam leverages his negotiation skills to de-escalate conflicts, calm terrified passengers, and establish communication with authorities on the ground.
He becomes the secret weapon onboard—the key to preventing catastrophe without anyone realizing his full impact.
Season 2 Raises the Stakes Even Higher
Two years after surviving the plane hijacking, Sam Nelson faces another nightmare scenario. This time, he’s trapped on an underground train in Berlin when terrorists strike again.
In the thrilling second season of Hijack, a Berlin underground train and its commuters are taken hostage, while, above ground, authorities scramble to save hundreds of lives. Sam Nelson is at the heart of the crisis on board, where one wrong decision could spell disaster.
But there’s a twist that changes everything.
Unlike Season 1, where Sam was unquestionably heroic, Season 2’s trailer suggests something far more sinister. Hints throughout the promotional material indicate Sam might not be an innocent bystander this time—he could actually be orchestrating the attack.
After all, what are the odds of one man being caught in two separate terrorist incidents purely by coincidence?
Why Critics and Audiences Love the Series
Season 1 earned an impressive 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviewers praising both the nail-biting narrative and the stellar performances. At its core sits Elba’s commanding portrayal of Sam Nelson—a character who radiates unwavering confidence that even hijackers find trustworthy, yet can shift into vulnerability during quieter moments.
He is the kind of actor who can be believable in almost any role that you give him, and that’s no different here.
That assessment from Collider’s Nate Richard captures exactly why Hijack works so well. Elba doesn’t just play a negotiator—he embodies someone whose every gesture and word could mean the difference between survival and disaster.
A Formula That Keeps Viewers Hooked
Creators George Kay and Jim Field Smith have mastered the art of high-stakes storytelling. Each season follows a similar pattern while introducing fresh complications:
- A confined space where every decision matters
- Morally complex characters who blur the line between hero and villain
- Red herrings that keep audiences guessing until the final moments
- Real-time tension that makes every minute count
Season 2 elevates this formula by placing Sam in morally ambiguous territory. Instead of simply reacting to danger, he appears to have deeper involvement in the crisis itself.
Release Schedule and What to Expect
Apple TV released the Season 2 premiere recently, with new episodes dropping every Wednesday through the finale on March 4, 2026. This weekly release strategy builds anticipation and allows for sustained conversation around each twist and revelation.
Early reactions suggest Season 2 maintains the same breakneck pacing that made Season 1 appointment television. The shift to an underground train setting creates fresh challenges—different geography, new secondary characters, and unique tactical considerations for both the hijackers and authorities.
Plus, the claustrophobic environment of a subway train offers even less room for error than an airplane.
Can Sam Nelson Be Trusted?
The biggest question hanging over Season 2 revolves around Sam’s true motivations. Season 1 established him as resourceful, intelligent, and fundamentally decent. But the trailer’s implications force viewers to reconsider everything they thought they knew.
Is Sam a hero caught in impossible circumstances again? Or has something changed in the two years since the plane hijacking?
That ambiguity transforms Hijack from a straightforward thriller into something more psychologically complex. Audiences must constantly reassess their assumptions about who to trust and what’s really happening beneath the surface.
Why Hijack Overtook Pluribus
Pluribus enjoyed an extraordinary run at the top of Apple TV’s charts, but streaming success often depends on momentum. After more than two months in release, even record-breaking series experience natural viewership decline as audiences finish watching.
Hijack arrived at the perfect moment—offering something completely different from Gilligan’s cerebral drama. Where Pluribus likely demanded careful attention and contemplation, Hijack delivers immediate, visceral thrills that make it irresistibly bingeable.
The combination of Elba’s star power, proven track record from Season 1, and jaw-dropping Season 2 premise created a perfect storm. Viewers craving high-octane entertainment found exactly what they needed.
Apple TV’s Evolving Content Strategy
The back-and-forth between Pluribus and Hijack demonstrates Apple TV’s increasingly diverse content library. Rather than relying on a single type of prestige drama, the platform now offers compelling options across multiple genres.
This variety benefits subscribers who want choice without switching platforms. Whether viewers prefer thought-provoking narratives or edge-of-your-seat action, Apple TV delivers both at premium quality levels.
Given Hijack’s gripping premise and the major twist already revealed in promotional materials, Season 2 appears poised to maintain its chart dominance through the final episode in March. With only one episode released so far and weeks of suspenseful storytelling ahead, Sam Nelson’s latest crisis will keep audiences guessing—and streaming—for months to come.