My tastes in television are wide and varied, but they orient me towards mysteries, dramas and comedies, fantasy and science fiction. You’ll see what I mean by scrolling down the list below.
It’s very difficult to make a best-of list when it comes to something like television because there are so many screens to show and so little time in the day. Looking at my own list below, it turns out I watched a lot of TV in 2024, but I also missed a lot.
There are some displays, like Landman or Three Body Problem, that I yet have not finished yet, and that I do not have enough of an opinion on to come with them here. This applies to displays like Day of the Jackal, The Agency, Cross, and many others that occupy my TV backlog (which sits next to my film backlog, video game backlog, and ebook ebookback – the older we get, the more our lives are filled with backlogs and to-do lists).
I also have a separate list listing my least favorite TV deals of 2024. Some of them were still smart but I was disappointed. Others were downright terrible. One of them is on either list, but House of the Dragon season 2 will only remain on the disappointing list, despite some clever moments in season 2. I’m too disappointed to include it in this list. I also leave Silo off any of the lists because I just haven’t seen enough season 2 to know if I’ll like it or not yet. My emotions are too mixed.
However, I’m happy to report that I’ve seen a lot more smart screens than bad ones this year, and some of them were really cool. I’ve avoided a lot of shoddy TVs because once you’ve suffered from True Detective: Night Country, Rings of Power, and The Acolyte, you can only handle a limited amount.
The winners on this list are Netflix, Apple, and Hulu. The losing gesture? HBO. Isn’t life strange?
In any case, this is a long and varied list. I didn’t order it, per se, but I did weight my favorites of the bunch toward the bottom, so as you proceed down, just know that you’re moving into “warmer” territory, into the shows I liked the best even if I can’t order them into a traditional ranking. It’s not an exact science. This is all based on my personal taste and interests, not to mention what I’ve had time to watch this year. I also watched a lot of older shows and movies—you have to take a crack at those backlogs, after all.
In any case, and more preambles, here they are. Matrix Matrix Matrix
My Lady Jane (Prime Video) – A fun “ahistorical” or alternate history story about Lady Jane Gray and her immediate rise (and fall) from the English throne. I was skeptical about this one at first, it seemed too bossy, but I ended up enjoying the combination of magic, romance, and humor. Emily Bader is magnetic while Lady Jane Gray and the rest of the cast hold their own. Unfortunately Array Amazon has canceled the series. However, the first season ends satisfactorily, making it worth watching. (My opinion).
Sugar
Sugar (Apple TV) – Not everyone liked this series, but I imagined it as a brilliantly strange film noir series with one of the most unexpected (and controversial) twists I can think of in any series. Colin Farrell is wonderful and I’m looking for Fast forward to season 2 and other answers to this very, very unique mystery.
skeleton crew
Skeleton Crew (Disney) – The first Star Wars showing I’ve enjoyed since Andor, Skeleton Crew is aimed at a younger audience and is necessarily “The Goonies in Space. ” It’s a throwback to the days when Amblin Entertainment was king. Jude Law is one of the most productive additions to Star Wars in the Disney era. The series is rarely over yet, but I think it’s getting better with each episode. Let’s hope it ends well! (My opinion).
Agatha everywhere
Agatha All Along (Disney+) — Another series I had major doubts about going into, Agatha All Along really won me over by the end. It’s a worthy sequel to the excellent WandaVision and Kathryn Hahn is delightful as the titular witch. Lots of twists and turns and surprises keeps things surprising at every turn. (My review).
The Dragon Prince
The Dragon Prince – Seasons 6 & 7 (Netflix) — I haven’t written about the seventh and final season of The Dragon Prince yet, but I wrote a glowing review for season 6. Both were released this year, the last time being animated. . epic fantasy series. It is such an adorable display with such wonderful characters. I highly recommend it to Avatar: The Last Airbender enthusiasts (My Season 6 Review).
Tea cup
Teacup (Peacock) – I hadn’t heard of this series until readers told me about it and it turned out to be quite fun, especially if you like The Thing, John Carpenter’s classic 1982 film. The story follows an organization of other people. who find themselves trapped on their farm, unable to leave a mysterious perimeter without suffering a horrible death. The force is out, the animals are behaving strangely and anything harmful has happened. It’s not perfect, but it’s still a fun sci-fi horror series and Peacock is renewing it for a second season.
sweet peas
Sweetpea (Starz) – Ella Purnell stars in this series about a young woman who has spent her entire life making tapestries, invisible to those around her or bullied by women at school. When her father dies, she breaks down and embarks on a dark trail of homicide and mayhem. Purnell is excellent as Rhiannon Lewis (and after watching her perform in front of so many Americans, it’s smart not to forget that she’s truly British), but as with all stories like this, I can’t tell if it’s her or I hope she’ll get caught. The season ends in a wild cliffhanger. Fortunately, it has already been renewed. (My opinion).
Esoteric
Arcane – Season 2 (Netflix) — One of the most charming animated series ever made, the first season of Arcane is an absolute masterpiece. The series is based on the video game League Of Legends, but you don’t want to play it or know anything about it to enjoy the show. The second season isn’t as smart as the first, which is why I also put it on my list of most disappointing TV shows, but it’s still perfect in many ways. Season 1 is hard to follow and this series needed more than two seasons to do it justice. (My opinion)
Vox Machina
The Legend Of Vox Machina – Season 3 (Prime Video) — The third season of Critical Role’s animated fantasy adventure based on the popular Dungeons & Dragons podcast came with a few big twists and turns that I really didn’t see coming. The season was pretty dire all around, with epic stakes and tragedy galore, and with a much more subdued Scanlan it was a bit harder to get the comic relief we’re accustomed to from this show. Still good, but a bit on the heavy side. (My interview with the cast is here).
the knights
The Gentlemen (Netflix) – Guy Ritchie took another shot at his film from the same call and created a Netflix series based on the film. It’s a very fun and very British detective series with wonderful actors and wonderful heists. Theo James makes a perfect assignment as Eddie Halstead, the series’ main protagonist. I had only seen him in The White Lotus and didn’t know he was British. Certainly significant in terms of entertainment value, it’s a film you can watch and enjoy without giving it much thought.
bad monkey
Bad Monkey (Apple TV) — Vince Vaughn stars as Andrew Yancey in this Floridian crime comedy and it may be his best role. I’m not a huge VV fan but he really knocked it out of the park here, and there’s some nice mystery with fun twists and turns along the way. And while it falls more on the light entertainment side of the spectrum, it has some strong emotional beats as well. I also really liked Natalie Martinez as Rosa. Really, the entire cast is perfect. This show actually reminds me of Jane the Virgin with its narrator and Florida setting and twisty-turny plot. Good times. (My review).
Sunny
Sunny (Apple TV) — Rashida Jones stars in this highly original sci-fi film set in Japan in the near future. It’s both mystery and science fiction, as Jones’ character, Suzie Sakamoto, tries to figure out what happened. her husband and son, who allegedly died in a mysterious plane crash. She is accompanied by her robot friend, Sunny (Joanna Sotomura), as they try to figure out what really happened. The ending has a really unexpected twist and suspense. so be warned: Apple made the really brazen decision to cancel this gem before Season 2. It’s a wonderful watch, but feel as disappointed as I am that it doesn’t come back.
Keep your mouth shut
Say Nothing (Hulu) – I haven’t finished watching this one yet, but Say Nothing is a fantastic limited series about the troubles in Northern Ireland. The series follows Dolors Price (Lola Petticrew) and her sister Marian (Haze Doupe) as they rise through the ranks of the IRA. The disappearance of an Irish mother of ten children is also a mystery. Brilliant writing and acting in a desirable era make this a must-see 2024 showing.
FROM
FROM – Season 3 (MGM) — FROM has one of the most passionate fan bases and I love being a part of the community, coming up with fan theories and dropping hints as we try to get to the bottom of the mystery of the mysterious. city that imprisons its population in an endless nightmare. It’s like LOST if this series was full of horror elements. But again, MGM’s productive peak showing was so uneven in season 3 that it was held back by its genuine greatness. Filler episodes and too many unsightly characters. All things the writers could do in season 4 (I have the ending in mind).
Just murders in the building.
Only Murders In The Building – Season Four (Hulu) — The first season of Only Murders In The Building is still the best, but I think the fourth season was the second. The mystery was difficult to solve, with enough red herrings to keep us guessing until the end, and enough clues and breadcrumbs to lead us to the killer if we paid enough attention. Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez were great. If I have one complaint, it’s that they’ve brought in too many notable guest stars at this point. (My opinion).
Rivals
Rivals (Hulu) – I wouldn’t be surprised if Rivals flew under the radar this year, but it’s something to keep an eye on. David Tennant is spectacular, as always, as the rather cowardly and vengeful Tony Baddingham, a ruthless television executive with agendas to pursue. The series is set in the United Kingdom in the 1980s and the name says it all. The story has a component of romance and a component of enmity, and it is delicious. Tennant is part of an extraordinary cast that includes Aidan Turner as TV reporter Declan O’Hara, Alex Hassell as playboy Rupert Campbell Black and two of the most beautiful women on television: Nafessa Williams as TV star Cameron Cook and Bella Maclean as Taggie, Declan’s daughter. . Forms an idealistic young woman who falls in love with Rupert. It wasn’t on my radar at all, but I enjoyed every single moment of the show.
A man inside
A Man On The Inside (Netflix) — Ted Danson stars in this genuinely heartwarming show about a man hired to go undercover at nursing home to solve the mystery of a stolen necklace. Danson plays Charles, a recent widower, who has settled into his new life, but who discovers friendship and new purpose when he’s suddenly around a bunch of people his own age, trading loneliness for both a mission and newfound companionship. I liked this show so much that I finished it one sitting. (My review).
slow horses
Slow Horses – Season 4 (Apple TV) — The most productive season of Slow Horses since Season 1, the British spy mystery remains one of the most productive things on television and there’s additional evidence that any show created by Apple starts with the lyrics. “It’s probably going to be great. ” Gary Oldman, as the hilarious and vile Jackson Lamb, and the entire cast take him out of the proverbial park once again. This exhibition manages to be so tense, so funny, and so perfectly paced that I’m on the edge of my seat. I can’t wait to see Season 5. (My review).
Fall
Fallout (Prime Video): Many Fallout enthusiasts who care about the story of the game series didn’t like Fallout on Prime Video. I enjoy the games but I’m not interested in their story, and what I expect most from a TV adaptation is quality. Well, there’s quality in abundance in Fallout. La series stars Ella Purnell as Lucy, a naïve inhabitant of the Vault who leaves the relative protection of her Vault to head to the wastelands in search of her father. Walton Goggins plays the mysterious bounty hunter The Ghoul, and Aaron Moten rounds out the trio as Maximus, a young squire from the Brotherhood of Steel, a post-apocalyptic mecha cavalry. It was given a fun mystery, an incredible performance, a lot of humor discovered in video games and an ending that has me very excited for season 2. It was a glorious, strangely wonderful adaptation that tells new stories in a familiar universe. (My opinion).
Shogun
Shogun (Hulu) — Speaking of adaptations, Hulu’s Shogun is absolutely brilliant in every way, a sweeping, gorgeously filmed period drama about the clash of cultures in feudal Japan. Protestants vye with Catholics. Powerful Japanese houses scheme against one another. Death awaits around every corner. The series is based on the novel of the same name by James Clavell, and follows English navigator John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) as he enters an unfamiliar culture, a stranger in a strange land. Hiroyuki Sanada plays the powerful and brilliant Lord Yoshii Toranaga and Anna Sawai plays Blackthorne’s translator, Anna Sawai, a woman with a tragic past and hunger for revenge. It’s a tremendous TV show from start to finish, filled with surprising turns and some of the most gorgeous production of any show this year, from cinematography to costume design. (My review).
Penguin
Penguin (HBO) – Another enchanting marvel and another series directed by Colin Farrell, Penguin picks up the events of The Batman and follows the rise of Oz Cobb, a gangster in Gotham’s seedy underworld. It’s more of a mob series than a DC Comics series, with plenty of little nods to The Sopranos along the way. The star of the series, however, was Crisitin Milioti as Sofia Falcone. Its functionality was one of the most productive of the year. This series never took the direction I thought and I’m glad for that. The ending gave me chills. (My opinion).
Baby reindeer
Bathrough Reindeer (Netflix) – It’s hard to explain how great, disturbing, and emotionally tough Bathrough Reindeer turned out to be. This display came out of the left box and surely blew me away, although I even think it might be the hardest watch. of the year, plunging into disturbing territory. The series is based on the true story of its creator, Richard Gadd, and his delight at being harassed by a woman. In the series, he plays Donny and Jessica Gunning plays his stalker, Martha. Both deliver, in fact, heartbreaking performances. There’s a lot more to the story than meets the eye, and I have to admit that one very provocative episode in particular was simply devastating. But Bathrough Reindeer is also fun at times. There are many things, but it is not what I expected (my opinion).
Shrinking
Shrinking – Season 2 (Apple TV): I didn’t watch the first season of Shrinking when it came out, so I ended up watching both consecutive seasons this year and it temporarily became one of my favorite performances of all. time. The series follows Jimmy (Jason Segel), a therapist who lost his wife in a car accident and then suffered a pretty serious nervous breakdown, turning to drugs, alcohol, and prostitutes when he wasn’t immersed in his work. This leads to a strained relationship with his friends and with his 17-year-old daughter, Alice (Lukita Maxwell). What follows is a near-perfect blend of comedy and drama, with a cast full of truly glorious characters, adding Jimmy’s boss and mentor Paul in one of Harrison Ford’s most productive roles.
This series seems very, very genuine to me, as I went through my own era of personal crisis, which led me to have a strained relationship with my daughter, who is the same age as Alice, and to suffer to get out the other side. The penultimate episode of season 2 shows Jimmy on the verge of another overall intellectual breakdown and Segel’s performance feels so genuine and so true to that feeling that I found myself crying as I watched it. It’s an exhibition that makes me cry almost at the same time that it makes me laugh. All feelings, as the children say. I can’t state it enough. (And yes, it’s some other Apple TV show that starts with the letter “S,” so you know it’s going to be good. )
Happy Valley
Bonus: Happy Valley (AMC): Although it won’t be released in 2024, I have to include Happy Valley on this list because it was, without a doubt, one of the five most sensational series I watched this year. The three-season British police series follows police sergeant Catherine Cawood in her daily life in West Yorkshire. Cawood is played by Sarah Lancashire, who gives one of the most productive performances I’ve ever seen in a TV series. The story is in the vein of crime dramas like Fargo, but it’s much more emotionally moving and nowhere near as funny as that show. Cawood finds himself in the middle of mysteries (a kidnapping in season 1) as he struggles to free a dangerous criminal with whom he has a deep personal connection. It’s an absolute masterpiece, full of tension and suspense but also with a lot of medium and raw emotion. Anyone who loves British police displays wishes to see this as soon as possible. (My opinion).
Don’t also check out my list of the worst TVs of 2024.
What were your favorite TV shows of 2024? Any of them on this list? Anything I missed? Let me know on Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky or Facebook. Also be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me here on this blog. Sign up for my newsletter for more reviews and commentary on entertainment and culture.
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