The Best TV Shows of 2024
Some of the year’s finest television brought us to Gotham, feudal Japan, and the chaotic floor of a London investment bank.
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After a 2023 plagued by budget cuts, mergers (or potential mergers), and months-long labor strikes, Hollywood seemed eager to bounce back with a heaping pile of buzzy television in the new year. “Peak TV” might be on its unofficial way out, but you wouldn’t guess that from the dozens of shows that dropped in 2024. Some are beloved continuations pushed from their original release dates due to the strikes; others are long-brewing adaptations, spin-offs, and—yes, really—original projects that will vie for eyeballs. Like most TV addicts, we were thrilled to see powerhouses like Bridgerton, Abbott Elementary, and The Diplomat return. But we were just as eager to dig into debuts like Shōgun, Say Nothing, and Baby Reindeer.
Here’s the best TV we watched in 2024.
With reporting from Kayla Webley Adler, Carine Lavache, Carol Lee, Samuel Maude, Claire Stern Milch, Selena Schorken, and Juliana Ukiomogbe.
Say Nothing
“Based on the book by journalist Patrick Radden Keefe, Say Nothing is an exceptional limited-series adaptation, documenting The Troubles in Northern Island—and particularly the murder of Belfast citizen Jean McConville. Anchored by strong performances from actors including Lola Petticrew and Maxine Peake, Say Nothing has become something of an improbable hit—and deservedly so.”—Lauren Puckett-Pope, culture writer
The Perfect Couple
“A perfectly ridiculous series with an even more ridiculous ending, The Perfect Couple uses that ridiculousness to its benefit, teasing the particular behaviors (and misbehaviors) that demarcate upper-class Nantucket society. With a juicy murder mystery, a scandalous affair, and a silk-adorned Nicole Kidman throwing her cutting glances every which way, this is the kind of Netflix drama that’s far from perfect—but that’s what makes it fun.”—LPP
The Penguin
“With a remarkable Cristin Milioti transforming Sofia Falcone into so much more than a number in Batman’s rogues gallery, The Penguin is one of those rare franchise spin-offs that feels like its own complete story. HBO largely has Milioti to thank for that; her screen presence is enough to make Gotham City feel as rich (and dark) as it does in the original comics.”—LPP
How to Die Alone
“After she played two of my favorite supporting characters in Insecure and The White Lotus, I was delighted to see Natasha Rothwell take center stage this year in the Hulu comedy she created and stars in, How to Die Alone. Rothwell plays Mel, a JFK employee, who has a near-death experience and vows to take control of her life, conquering her fears of travel, dying alone, and vulnerability all at once. It’s thrilling to see Rothwell showcase her full range of talent in this heartwarming show that will make you laugh and cry at the same time.”—Kayla Webley Adler, deputy editor
The Diplomat Season 2
“The Diplomat—a Netflix gourmet cheeseburger if there ever was one—came roaring back in season 2 with government conspiracies aplenty. But what keeps this drama grounded (and addictive) are the fantastic performances from Keri Russell, Rufus Sewell, David Gyasi, Ali Ahn, Ato Essandoh, and so many others. Come for the plot to avoid nuclear war; stay for the petty relationship drama.”—LPP
Disclaimer
“I wasn’t prepared for Disclaimer. After two palatable episodes to establish the plot, my jaw was quite literally on the floor when Louis Partridge and Leila George (who plays the younger version of Cate Blanchett’s character, Catherine Ravenscroft) shocked me with graphic sex scenes and a twist that I definitely didn’t see coming.”—Claire Stern Milch, digital director
My Brilliant Friend Season 4
“HBO’s delicate screen adaptation of Elena Ferrante’s seminal work has gone terribly under the mainstream radar since 2018, and after four seasons, it came to a full-circle ending this November. Following Elena and Lila (now played by Alba Rohrwacher and Irene Maiorino) into adulthood, director Laura Bispuri directs touching performances to bring the feminist phenomenon to a proper conclusion.”—Erica Gonzales, senior culture editor
Nobody Wants This
“Adam Brody as a hot rabbi? Say less. Netflix’s sleeper hit Nobody Wants This, loosely based on the real-life relationship between creator Erin Foster and her husband, garnered some criticism for its stereotypical portrayal of Jewish women, but I would argue that the real controversy was that someone who lives in L.A. wasn’t aware that prosciutto isn’t kosher.”—CSM
Heartstopper Season 3
“The third season of Heartstopper felt like a departure from the dreamy world of previous seasons, with more serious matters affecting the show’s main characters, Charlie Spring (Joe Locke) and Nick Nelson (Kit Connor). Yet while the series took a darker turn, its message remained the same: There’s great power in community and friendship. These episodes are sure to speak directly to teenagers who are facing similar issues today.”—Samuel Maude, associate editor
Silo Season 2
“I was absolutely floored by the finale of Silo’s first season, and I’m pleased to report that season 2 maintains the strength (and brutality) of the first chapter. Dune favorite Rebecca Ferguson is equally as magnetic in this sci-fi franchise, and as early signs signal a dystopian fiction resurgence, Silo is the ideal option to enjoy that on the screen.”—LPP
Outlander Season 7, Part 2
“After a depressingly long Droughtlander, Outlander season 7, part 2 at last returned with a long-awaited homecoming to its birthplace: Scotland. From there, the drama ratchets up, and as Outlander approaches its eighth and final season, Jamie and Claire’s love story has never felt more (thrillingly) fraught.” —LPP
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story
“The second installment of Ryan Murphy’s Monster anthology series is even more sexually charged than the last. And yet, could it be at least partially responsible for the release of the Menendez brothers? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Cooper Koch is fashion’s newest darling.”—CSM
Simone Biles Rising
“We already knew that Simone Biles was the GOAT, but her Netflix documentary series lifts the curtain on how she got there—through hard work, courage, and unbelievable mental strength. This comeback is unmatched.”—CSM
Emily in Paris Season 4
“Someone once described Emily in Paris to me as ‘cotton candy,’ and I couldn’t agree more. The colorful take on an expat’s life in the French capital is like a vacation for the brain—a 30-something-minute-long sugar high of designer clothes, hot foreigners, and delicious food. Emily’s jaunt to Rome in season 4, part 2 was certainly no different—although, let’s be real, at this point we’re all team Gabriel. Just get on with it already!”—CSM
True Detective: Night Country
“Showrunner Issa López breathed new life into the True Detective franchise at the top of this year with an icy, eerie mystery set in Alaska and starring Jodie Foster and Kali Reis. The series’ new stars made a great pair: each with her own dark history, one grapples with grief and another with a possible connection to the supernatural. The new installment was so successful, López has been called back for more seasons.”—EG
Shōgun
“Shõgun is a masterpiece. Hiroyuki Sanada stars in and produces this elegant adaptation of James Clavell’s 1975 book, which puts a more thoughtful and deeply researched focus on the story’s Japanese characters. Set in the Edo period, the conflict between rival warlords is full of political intrigue, harsh betrayals, and sneaky alliances. But the breakout star is one leader’s dutiful translator Mariko, played by Anna Sawai in an award-worthy performance.”—EG
Baby Reindeer
“If you’re in the mood for something chaotic and unhinged, I highly recommend Baby Reindeer. The British miniseries is a master class in dark dramedy, thanks in large part to comedian Richard Gadd, who adapted his real-life story for the screen from his one-man show at the Edinburgh Fringe. It chronicles his own experience being stalked by a middle-aged woman, who floods his phone with incessant texts and emails filled with remarkable typos. (Sent from my iPhone.) To no one’s surprise, the show scooped up six Emmys.”—CSM
Industry Season 3
“As is probably evident from my recaps, I am a very, very big fan of Industry. Since its first season, I’ve been waiting for audiences to catch on that this underrated HBO gem deserves a Succession-sized audience. A finance drama that’s as hilarious as it is gutting as it is perceptive, Industry has delivered a season 3, I believe, that’s by far the best showrunners Mickey Down and Konrad Kay have put together so far.”—LPP
One Day
“Amidst its made-for-streaming romance-drama cohort, One Day—based on David Nicholls’ 2009 novel—stands out, hitting all the right notes as its two leads navigate heartbreak, friendship, growth, love, and loss. The pacing and brevity of each episode in the limited run perfectly encapsulates the whirlwind years between post-graduate life and middle-age adulthood. Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall are fantastic together.”—LPP
Mr. and Mrs. Smith
“I was cautious about this series—not because I was protective of the Brangelina film, but because, what if it turned out to be just another mediocre, trying-too-hard-to-be-sexy spy drama? Thankfully, it is not. Donald Glover and Maya Erskine’s take on John and Jane Smith is relatable, funny, and smart. It’s at its best when it acutely portrays the forming (and breaking) of a couple’s relationship; the missions are just extra fun.”—EG
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