Dramas, comedies, thrillers and everything in between. Period pieces, espionage, bodies, vampires and crime syndicates. Familiar names, new faces and storytellers. These are just some of the things that made for enthralling TV in 2024.
A fairly diverse party of 31 different series competed for the 10 spots on this list. Six more from 2023 competed for a special mention and I've also managed to check out one 2025 series already—that is to say that I've seen the second season of 'Silo'. There are notable 2024 titles still on my watchlist, including 'Nobody Wants This', 'Squid Game' season two, 'The Bear' season three, 'The Boys' season four and 'Under The Bridge'. Therefore, you won't find any of them in this particular top 10.
Anyhoo, these are my favourite TV series of 2024—the key word again is favourite, do not forget. As usual, you can find reviews for some of them on the site; just click the ''Read our review'' when you see that below.
Special Mentions
Best 2023 catch-up
THE LAST OF US (season 1)
And now... here are the 10 best TV series of 2024
10. THE CURSE (season 1)
What is it about? The Curse centers on Whitney and Asher Siegel, a newlywed couple struggling to bring their vision for eco-conscious housing to the small community of Española, New Mexico. Their efforts are complicated when an eccentrically flawed reality TV producer, Dougie, sees opportunity in their story. As the series unfolds, the couple find themselves caught in a mysterious web of ethical and moral gray zones—all while trying to keep their relationship afloat.
Why you should watch it: Can I be honest? I'm not really sure because a lot of people won't vibe with the cringe and awkwardness embraced by the show. But what is certain is that there's nothing like The Curse on TV currently, and there has probably never been anything quite like it. The biggest draw might be Emma Stone's performance and Nathan Fielder stretches himself as an actor, too, leaning into the relationship drama that resides within all the satire. Plus, the finale hasn't left my mind and it's one of the boldest things I've ever seen. If you're feeling bold as well, you might want to take a chance on the series.
Starring: Benny Safdie, Emma Stone, Nathan Fielder
Showrunner(s): Benny Safdie, Nathan Fielder
Where to watch:
9. BABY REINDEER (miniseries)
What is it about? Based on the award-winning and hit Edinburgh Fringe one-man play, Baby Reindeer follows struggling comedian Donny Dunn's (Richard Gadd) warped relationship with his female stalker and the impact it has on him as he is ultimately forced to face a deeply buried trauma. This compelling, darkly funny drama also stars Jessica Gunning as Martha, Nava Mau as Teri and Tom Goodman-Hill as Darrien.
Why you should watch it: It's always exciting when a show comes out of absolutely nowhere, featuring a cast that you know nothing about, and blows the doors wide open with its vulnerability and odd rhythms. Writer-actor Richard Gadd's complex, personal drama is exactly that and more, using excellent writing and a fierce outing by Jessica Gunning as its fuel. One of the great introductions to new talent in 2024.
Starring: Jessica Gunning, Nava Mau, Richard Gadd
Writer(s): Richard Gadd
Where to watch:
8. TRUE DETECTIVE: NIGHT COUNTRY (season 4)
What is it about? When the long winter night falls in Ennis, Alaska, the eight men who operate the Tsalal Arctic Research Station vanish without a trace. To solve the case, Detectives Liz Danvers (Foster) and Evangeline Navarro (Reis) will have to confront the darkness they carry in themselves, and dig into the haunted truths that lie buried under the eternal ice.
Why you should watch it: Read our review to learn why
Starring: Finn Bennett, Jodie Foster, Kali Reis
Showrunner(s): Issa López
Where to watch:
7. FARGO (season 5)
What is it about? The latest installment of Fargo is set in Minnesota and North Dakota, 2019. After an unexpected series of events lands Dorothy 'Dot' Lyon (Juno Temple) in hot water with the authorities, this seemingly typical Midwestern housewife is suddenly plunged back into a life she thought she had left behind.
Why you should watch it: Well, if you're anything like me and haven't seen any of the previous instalments of this anthology series, you're in luck because season five works incredibly well no matter what. Juno Temple commands the screen in the lead role as a woman on the run and the large bunch of colourful supporting players is just as delightful. The tonal trickery is impressive and the show even manages to dig rather deep thematically as the season goes on. You might also meet the year's most eccentric assassin along the way.
Starring: Jon Hamm, Juno Temple, Richa Moorjani
Showrunner(s): Noah Hawley
Where to watch:
6. WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS (season 6)
What is it about? What We Do in the Shadows, based on the feature film by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi, documents the nightly exploits of vampire roommates Nandor (Kayvan Novak), Laszlo (Matt Berry), Nadja (Natasia Demetriou) and Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch) as they navigate the modern world of Staten Island with the help of their human familiar, Guillermo (Harvey Guillén), and their vampire bureaucrat acquaintance, The Guide (Kristen Schaal).
Why you should watch it: The TV landscape's most reliable comedy has plenty of bite even in its final season, its wonderful cast leading the charge. Matt Berry has finally began to receive his flowers for his unbelievable line readings but this final season might belong to Kayvan Novak who gets a lot to do and runs—or flies rather—away with the material. This ridiculous vampire romp is just so damn funny and you might even catch a glimpse of a regular human bartender as a bonus. I, for one, will miss catching up with these crazy freaks every year. Bat!
Starring: Harvey Guillén, Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou
Showrunner(s): Paul Simms
Where to watch:
5. HACKS (season 3)
What is it about? A year after parting, Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) is riding high off the success of her standup special while Ava (Hannah Einbinder) pursues new opportunities back in Los Angeles.
Why you should watch it: How do you come back and earn back the audience's investment in the characters after a season two finale that could've been a perfect series finale? Somehow, someway, showrunners Jen Statsky, Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and their entire team figure it out and return with an absolute banger. We all cherish Jean Smart as Deborah but it's very impressive that Hannah Einbinder continues to match Smart's intensity, which conjures up a lot of laughs and brilliant drama—and Einbinder might be season three's highlight if we're still being honest. And let's not forget that we get another terrific season finale as the cherry on top.
Starring: Hannah Einbinder, Jean Smart, Paul W. Downs
Showrunner(s): Jen Statsky, Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs
Where to watch:
4. THE PENGUIN (miniseries)
What is it about? Starring Colin Farrell as Oz Cobb (aka The Penguin), the series continues filmmaker Matt Reeves' epic crime saga that began with global blockbuster 'The Batman'. Developed by showrunner Lauren LeFranc, the series centers on the character played by Farrell in the film.
Why you should watch it: Franchise offshoots shouldn't go as hard as this series does so let's just be grateful for a moment. You come for outstanding Colin Farrell and equally outstanding prosthetic makeup on display, and in addition to those things, you get Cristin Milioti bringing the heat (literally burning things down) as well as some of the year's best writing, costume and production design. Episode four and the finale are also two of the year's very best hours in the world of television. Just don't get too attached to any particular character. Your heart might hurt otherwise.
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Showrunner(s): Lauren LeFranc
Where to watch:
3. SLOW HORSES (season 4)
What is it about? Slow Horses is a darkly humorous espionage drama that follows a dysfunctional team of British intelligence agents who serve in a dumping ground department of MI5 known un-affectionately as Slough House. Season four opens with a bombing that detonates personal secrets, rocking the already unstable foundations of Slough House.
Why you should watch it: Read our review to learn why
Starring: Gary Oldman, Jack Lowden, Kristin Scott Thomas
Showrunner(s): Will Smith
Where to watch:
2. SHŌGUN (season 1)
What is it about? Based on James Clavell's novel, Shōgun is set in Japan in the year 1600 at the dawn of a century-defining civil war. Lord Yoshii Toranaga is fighting for his life as his enemies on the Council of Regents unite against him, when a mysterious European ship is found marooned in a nearby fishing village.
Why you should watch it: Epic, gorgeous, stylish. Goes for your brain before going for your heart. This historical (and mostly fictional) drama is simply spellbinding thanks to beautiful sets, costumes, locations, photography, sound design and tremendous performances, including those from Anna Sawai, Sanada Hiroyuki and Cosmo Jarvis. It's a story that holds your attention with its focus on language, body language, morality and purpose of one's life. I felt transported and I imagine you will too if you haven't checked it out yet. The hype is very much deserved.
Starring: Anna Sawai, Cosmo Jarvis, Sanada Hiroyuki
Showrunner(s): Justin Marks, Rachel Kondo
Where to watch:
1. RIPLEY (miniseries)
What is it about? Tom Ripley, a grifter scraping by in early 1960s New York, is hired by a wealthy man to travel to Italy to try to convince his vagabond son to return home. Tom's acceptance of the job is the first step into a complex life of deceit, fraud and murder. The limited series drama is based on Patricia Highsmith's bestselling Tom Ripley novels.
Why you should watch it: Number two on this list might have all the adjectives and pieces to earn the number one spot, and it is truly a coin toss, but Ripley can have the glory for now since it feels like all the different elements are singing in perfect harmony under the creative vision of writer-director Steven Zaillian. The series might feature the most gorgeous cinematography ever seen on the small screen and those frames are filled with an exquisite leading man in Andrew Scott, smart direction and wonderful details as far as production design goes. Purposeful pacing, subtle humour and the methodical approach gets you interested in and possibly even rooting for a man who does horrible things—a sign of compelling storytelling and drama. The show's only flaw is that it ends. Splendido!
Starring: Andrew Scott, Dakota Fanning, Maurizio Lombardi
Writer(s): Steven Zaillian
Where to watch:
That's a lot of great television for you to watch. See you in 2025.
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