Watch High Desert

High Desert follows Peggy, a former addict who decides to make a new start after the death of her beloved mother, with whom she lived in Los Angeles. After inheriting her mom's home in the small desert town of Yucca Valley, Peggy makes the move to start her new life. However, Peggy soon realizes that making a fresh start isn't as easy as she thought.

As an outsider unused to living in a small town, Peggy struggles to fit in with the locals. Her attempts to make friends and build relationships are often clumsy and backfire. However, a few of the townspeople see Peggy's good heart underneath her quirky exterior. In particular, she connects with her new neighbor Oscar, a deputy, and his daughter Madison. Peggy also adopts a stray dog she names Guy and he becomes her constant companion.

Throughout the series, we learn more about Peggy's past life in LA through flashbacks. A talented artist, she once had a promising career and a loving boyfriend. However, after her mother got sick, Peggy's life spiraled as she turned to drugs and toxic relationships to cope. Now in Yucca Valley, Peggy is determined to move forward, stay sober, and rediscover her artistic passion. However, staying on the right path proves challenging at times, as old habits die hard.

As Peggy adjusts to small town living, she brings her big city sensibilities and eccentric flair to the community. Her attempts to liven up Yucca Valley with art projects and events often miss the mark, but they come from a place of good intent. Over time, Peggy learns more about connecting with people and finding fulfillment through creativity, friendship, and helping others.

High Desert blends quirky dramedy with an exploration of starting over, figuring out where you belong, and the struggle to overcome addiction and past mistakes. Led by an incredible performance by Melissa McCarthy, the show's offbeat heroine elicits both laughter and empathy. Even when Peggy stumbles, her resilience and good heart shine through. High Desert provides an uplifting viewing experience with its message that it's never too late to turn your life around.

High Desert is a series that ran for 1 seasons (8 episodes) between May 17, 2023 and on Apple TV+