Movies

10 Miniseries You Missed in 2024: Hidden Gems Uncovered

BBG News

2024 appeared to be an exceptional year for miniseries, with fresh projects appearing almost weekly like blooms on a spring day. Given the multitude of streaming platforms now accessible, it’s understandable that some productions might have gone unnoticed by the public. Yet, the exceptional caliber of these shows is worthy of acknowledgment. Many of these series originated from adaptations of books, real-life incidents, or other sources, signifying a broader tribute to artistry. With stories taking place across continents, throughout history, and encompassing diverse genres, this compilation underscores the versatility and limitless potential of television as an art form.

10
Griselda

Sofia Vergara, famous from “Modern Family,” plays the title role in Netflix’s series titled “Griselda.” This biographical miniseries delves into the life of Griselda Blanco, a notorious Colombian criminal figure who dominated Miami’s drug trade during the 1980s, often referred to as the “Cocaine Queen.” Her insatiable desire for wealth and power consumed her life, eventually leading to her downfall. Critics have commended Vergara for her portrayal, where she masterfully embodied the character and received nominations for both a Golden Globe Award and an Emmy in the Primetime category.

9
A Thousand Blows

A Thousand Blows is a captivating British historical drama that delves into the true story of an all-female criminal gang known as the Forty Elephants, who held power in London during the 1880s. The series challenges traditional gender roles by featuring Mary Carr (Erin Doherty) – a powerful crime boss – going head-to-head with Henry “Sugar” Goodson (Stephen Graham), the ruler of London’s underground boxing ring. Amidst this conflict, Jamaican immigrant Hezekiah Moscow (Malachi Kirby) struggles to survive. This gripping series by Steven Knight offers a unique glimpse into a lesser-known chapter of British history and stands out distinctly from other television shows currently airing.

8
Sweetpea

As a cinephile, I can’t help but express my excitement over the British dark comedy gem, “Sweetpea.” It’s an on-screen adaptation of CJ Skuse’s 2017 novel by the same name, starring the brilliant Ella Purnell as Rhiannon Lewis. After the passing of my father, I found myself in a monotonous existence until I was compelled to reconnect with my childhood tormentor. Abandoning the sugary sweet image of “Sweetpea,” I was driven by vengeance and morphed into a ruthless figure, disregarding the sanctity of human life. This captivating character study has earned Sweetpea the nickname of the female Dexter among the audience.

7
The Brothers Sun

The Brothers Sun” is an action comedy series available on Netflix, developed by Byron Wu and Brad Falchuk, who are famous for creating popular shows such as “Glee”, “American Horror Story”, and “Scream Queens”. The lead character, portrayed by Sam Song Li, is Bruce Sun, a typical Californian whose world is shaken when his brother Charles Sun (Justin Chien), arrives from Taipei, revealing the family’s involvement in major Taiwanese gangster activities. As Bruce finds himself entangled in a web of mystery and peril, he has to adjust to his new role as the son of a crime boss. The show offers a mix of family conflicts, hilarious moments, and impressive martial arts scenes, making it an incredibly engaging watch.

6
Parasyte: The Grey

Netflix unveiled the South Korean sci-fi horror series titled Parasyte: The Grey, which has received widespread acclaim from viewers. Based on Hitoshi Iwaaki’s renowned manga series Parastye, this live-action adaptation revolves around parasitic beings that consume humans, transforming them into shape-shifters and causing chaos in society. Over the course of its 6 episodes, the series manages to convey a chilling and captivating narrative, demonstrating that body horror can gain mainstream appeal. The lead actress, Jeon So-nee, was highly commended for her performance as Jeong Su-in, a pitiful protagonist who falls prey to one of these parasites.

5
My Lady Jane

The series titled “My Lady Jane,” written by Gemma Burgess with Emily Bader playing the lead role, is a captivating blend of historical fiction and romance. It presents an imaginative retelling of the life of Lady Jane Grey, also known as the Nine Days Queen, who ruled England for barely more than a week in 1553. This creative take on history introduces characters capable of transforming into animals and offers a romantic experience reminiscent of “Bridgerton.” Regrettably, Amazon decided to discontinue “My Lady Jane” after only one season, much to the disappointment of fans, including George R.R. Martin, author of “Game of Thrones,” who supported a petition to keep the show alive.

4
Say Nothing

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I can’t help but share my excitement for the FX historical drama, “Say Nothing,” which is based on Patrick Radden Keefe’s 2018 book of the same name. This gripping series takes us on a journey through decades, from the tumultuous 70s to the tense 90s, as it delves into the lives of Belfast citizens during Northern Ireland’s conflict, often referred to as ‘The Troubles.’ This was a dark and ethnically charged period marked by intense political and social strife.

The series “Say Nothing” explores their connection to the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) and the probe into Jean McConville’s murder, a local mother. The show vividly portrays the struggles of this turbulent era, with scenes depicting bombings and hunger strikes. It also features testimonies from genuine individuals who participated in Boston College’s Belfast Project. Critics have lauded “Say Nothing” for transforming a complex and lengthy narrative into nine gripping episodes that kept viewers enthralled, while simultaneously offering valuable historical insights.

3
Boy Swallows Universe

The movie titled Boy Swallows Universe is a Netflix-produced Australian drama, a slow-burn coming-of-age story, adapted from Trent Dalton’s popular semi-autobiographical novel of the same name. The plot primarily focuses on Eli Bell, portrayed by Felix Cameron, Zac Burgess, and Auden Ryan at different stages of his life, along with his mute brother Gus (played by Lee Tiger Halley). They grapple with their broken family while navigating through the darker side of Brisbane.

The 1980s-set show, characterized by a dreamlike quality, features an exceptional Australian acting troupe that includes Simon Baker in nearly unbelievable disguise, alongside Phoebe Tonkin, Anthony LaPaglia, and others. Boy Swallows Universe was highly praised for its skillful blending of pain and optimism and garnered numerous accolades.

2
Mr Bates vs. The Post Office

A four-part television drama titled “Mr Bates vs The Post Office” garnered significant praise from critics and boasted a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This series recounts the tale of hundreds of British subpostmasters who were unfairly accused, prosecuted, and convicted for theft and fraud between 1999 and 2015. The alleged misdeeds were actually caused by a faulty computer program’s accounting issues. Despite its seemingly dull subject matter at first glance, the series drew audiences in with its compelling performances and gripping narrative. In fact, it even sparked real-life interest in the case, leading to former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announcing legislation for exonerating the wrongly convicted in 2024.

Toby Jones, the actor, expressed great satisfaction with the influence of the show, praising Gwyneth Hughes’ screenwriting for swiftly moving the topic from the television screen to the Parliament. Shortly after the miniseries concluded, a documentary titled “Mr Bates vs The Post Office: The Real Story” was unveiled, focusing on the true events of the scandal.

1
One Hundred Years of Solitude

The Netflix series titled “One Hundred Years of Solitude,” which originates from Colombia, is adapted from Gabriel Garcia Márquez’s renowned and critically-adored 1967 novel with the same name. This story traces multiple generations of the Buendia family as they build a legendary town named Macondo, honoring the magical realism that characterized Márquez’s influential work. After his passing in 2014, the rights to the book were sold by his family, stipulating that it should be filmed in Colombia with native Spanish-speaking Colombian actors. Co-director Laura Mora, a fellow Colombian, took her role of representing this material very seriously. The end product was an exquisitely produced, visually stunning, and emotionally moving project that received widespread acclaim as one of the top series of the year.

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2025-04-26 17:37

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