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The 10 Best TV Shows of 2024

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The 10 Best TV Shows of 2024

As a TV enthusiast with over two decades of viewing experience under my belt, I must say that this year has been nothing short of extraordinary. Each of these shows has left an indelible mark on me, but if I had to choose one that resonated most profoundly with my own life journey, it would be none other than “Industry.

One of the greatest pleasures of the Peak TV era was that an excellent series could come from almost anywhere. Lifetime could greenlight the smart, satirical thriller You (which would become a hit for Netflix after failing to attract an audience on cable). The lyrical coming-of-age saga David Makes Man could find a home on OWN. TNT could serve up madcap Floridian crime soap Claws while BBC America made Killing Eve an obsession on this side of the Atlantic.

In recent years, following an industry downturn and significant labor disputes in 2023, the television landscape has undergone significant changes. Many of the aforementioned cable networks have ceased producing costly original scripts. Instead, second-tier streaming platforms such as Peacock and Paramount+ have emerged, but they primarily offer reality TV shows, unoriginal remakes of intellectual properties owned by established studios, and imported content of varying quality. Channels like Starz, Showtime, and almost every other premium cable network except for HBO are struggling to stand out amidst the fierce competition for subscription revenue. Apple TV+, with its ample funding, appears to be a sanctuary for innovative concepts, but its executives seem overly captivated by star-studded projects, leading to questionable quality control.

2024’s top TV shows have been compiled, and as expected, the frontrunners are the pioneers from the beginning of the 21st century’s television revolution: HBO, FX, and to some degree, AMC (which has faced its share of challenges). Netflix’s vast output made it a predictable inclusion on this list, with a British surprise hit and an indie show they acquired licensing rights for. I acknowledge the lack of variety in platforms in this list, and I believe it isn’t just a coincidence.

Perhaps it’s the atmosphere of frugality that has led me to some of this year’s most extravagant productions. Three of them, “Pachinko”, “The Sympathizer”, and “Shogun”, share similarities such as historical settings, literary origins, multilingual scripts, and predominantly Asian casts, yet each possesses a unique tone. “Interview with the Vampire” transcends grandness; it’s a maximalist endeavor, encompassing both emotional and aesthetic depth. “Industry” and “Say Nothing”, two distinct shows, submerge us in the turbulence of (respective) global finance and revolutionary politics. This list, which includes these titles along with a few smaller, more intimate series that I frequently prefer—”Baby Reindeer”, “Somebody Somewhere”, “Penelope”, “Fantasmas”—aims to honor television’s capacity for greatness across all scales while rejecting the “mid-tier TV” mediocrity we often encounter instead.

10. Pachinko (Apple TV+)

In the first season of ‘Pachinko’, creator Soo Hugh opted for an unconventional approach, deviating from the sequential narrative structure of Min Jin Lee’s novel about a 20th-century Korean family. Rather than following the story chronologically, she intertwined the early chapters depicting heroine Sunja’s life journey, from her childhood in a fishing village to her young adulthood in Japan, with an extended narrative focusing on Sunja’s finance-guy grandson Solomon in the ’80s. This dual narrative structure left a gap at the core of the story. The second season bridges this gap by portraying the powerful middle chapters of the book, which detail Sunja’s tumultuous relationship with her secret lover and eventual guardian angel, Mr. Koh (Lee Min-ho), during World War II. Hugh skillfully combines the family’s struggles and offers a fresh perspective on how Korean immigrants were affected by their occupier’s aggression, while also expanding upon the first season’s portrayal of Solomon’s personal journey involving identity, history, ambition, and future. This second season not only does justice to the acclaimed novel it’s based on; it also creates new emotional bonds and uncovers fresh insights across generations.

9. Baby Reindeer (Netflix)

As a passionate cinephile, I never anticipated that a dark comedy-drama, “Baby Reindeer,” based on an obscure Scottish creator’s semi-autobiographical Edinburgh Fringe Festival show, would become Netflix’s surprise hit of 2024. In fact, the platform barely marketed it in the U.S. However, the enchanting allure of Netflix, with its magical blend of algorithmic sorcery and viral word-of-mouth, has the uncanny ability to birth global sensations out of nowhere. Now, the genius behind and starring in this series, Richard Gadd, is a familiar face gracing households with an array of awards and an HBO project underway. It’s truly remarkable how this happened for such a captivating voice. On paper, it’s a crime drama about his encounters with a female stalker (Jessica Gunning), but in essence, it’s a profound exploration into a tormented mind, delving into topics like self-absorption, past relationships with an abusive mentor, and his struggles with commitment to a trans woman (Nava Mau) who might be too exceptional for him. All three main performances are groundbreaking. To top it off, it’s hilarious.

8. The Sympathizer (HBO)

Indeed, the series stars Robert Downey Jr. in a unique four-part portrayal that embodies white supremacy, yet he delivers an exceptional performance satirizing ’70s icons such as Francis Ford Coppola and Hunter S. Thompson. However, what truly stands out about Park Chan-wook’s extravagant, cinematic, visually stunning, and highly referential adaptation of Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel is its profound exploration of the Vietnam War – a conflict that has significantly influenced both Vietnamese and American identities. The series, The Sympathizer, skillfully navigates themes of loyalty, societal survival under colonialism, war, and internal division through the nuanced portrayal of the Captain, masterfully played by Hoa Xuande. Unfortunately, not many viewers tuned in when it aired this past spring. It might have appeared too heavy. In reality, it’s captivating, and there’s no better moment to immerse oneself in it than during our nation’s current introspective holiday pause.

7. Interview With the Vampire (AMC)

Genre series are prevalent nowadays, dominating original content from streaming platforms like Disney+ and Prime Video; however, many fail to live up to the potential of their source material. Remarkably, AMC’s reboot of Interview With the Vampire, part of the Anne Rice franchise, is an exception that brings something fresh to the table. Initially focusing on the twisted tale of vampire Louis (Jacob Anderson) and his tormenting creator Lestat (Sam Reid), the storyline in the second season this year transformed into one of TV’s most intriguing love triangles, with the introduction of Armand (Assad Zaman), a powerful and enigmatic companion to Louis. This production, created by Rolin Jones, exudes a romantic essence that sets it apart from much modern entertainment aimed at adults due to its emotionally engaging quality. From its captivating flashbacks set in post-war Paris to the unexpected twists that kept viewers on the edge of their seats with each new episode, Interview could very well be the most delightful show of 2024.

6. Somebody Somewhere (HBO)

Over the past few years, during the Golden Age of Television, it was hard to avoid streaming services without encountering a humorous yet profound slice-of-life show. These shows, despite their modest settings, offered universal insights that resonated deeply with audiences. Shows like Better Things, Work in Progress, Betty, Vida, Back to Life, and Please Like Me, among others, have been a staple. One of the last remaining shows of this genre, which ended its run on December 8, is Somebody Somewhere. This series features Bridget Everett as a single, aimless woman in her middle age living in small-town Kansas. The show celebrates friendships that transform into chosen families and family feuds that eventually turn into friendships. It beautifully demonstrates how finding a community can gradually and profoundly alter one’s life. In its third and final season, Everett’s character Sam explores romance while her friends Joel (Jeff Hiller) and Fred (Murray Hill) settle down with their own partners. This poignant portrayal captures the common dread that everyone around you is progressing while you remain stuck in the same rut.

5. Fantasmas (HBO)

When the world seems like an unsettling dream, bizarre tales can resonate more deeply than conventional narratives. This is precisely the hauntingly humorous appeal of Fantasmas, an unorthodox sketch comedy series about art and endurance that originates from the boundless creativity of Julio Torres (Los Espookys, Problemista). The show’s surreal scenes are a joyous spectacle, boasting this year’s most enchanting guest stars: Tilda Swinton, Steve Buscemi, Bowen Yang, executive producer Emma Stone, and many more. However, the narrative that lingers is not so much about the fantastical vignettes as it is the framing story featuring Torres as Julio, a prodigious creative living in a purple-tinged, alternate-reality New York City. His unclear profession encompasses tasks such as proposing new crayon shades. When a health scare and housing issues threaten his stability, Julio’s predicament is further complicated by his resistance to adopting a new, intrusive form of identification called Proof of Existence. With few alternatives, he resorts to selling television concepts based on his gay and Latino identities in order to live according to his own rules. Although his circumstances may appear absurd, they perfectly encapsulate the artist’s eternal struggle against red tape, mediocrity, and poverty, as well as offering insightful commentary on today’s TV industry.

4. Penelope (Netflix)

The fact that filmmaker and actor Mark Duplass, who collaborated with Mel Eslyn to create Penelope, had to independently produce the series because no television platform was interested, highlights an unconventional state of television production. Fortunately, Netflix agreed to license the final product – a dreamlike half-hour drama about a teenage girl (played by Megan Stott) who leaves her high school and social media life behind to live in Cascade National Forest. Although it is also a survival story, Penelope’s journey can be more accurately described as a spiritual quest. In many ways, she embarks on this journey to find meaning, similar to Henry David Thoreau going to the woods or Christ’s journey through the desert. This show invites us to delve into our own introspection alongside its heroine in search of deeper understanding.

3. Say Nothing (FX)

The show “Say Nothing” on FX revolves around Jean McConville, a widowed mother of 10 who mysteriously disappeared in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1972, after being forcibly taken from her home by a masked group. This event serves as the backdrop for the series, which is based on Patrick Radden Keefe’s acclaimed non-fiction book. However, unlike typical true-crime dramas, “Say Nothing” is not a straightforward potboiler. Instead, it is morally astute, filled with complex characters and compelling performances, and offers insights into how one’s moral compass can shift over the course of a lifetime.

2. Industry (HBO)

As a film enthusiast, I’ve always found the industry portrayed unfairly through the lens of arrogant financiers in London indulging in drugs, affairs, and risky financial moves. While that description isn’t entirely untrue, it doesn’t do justice to the depth and insight that this year’s third season of ‘Industry’ has brought to the table. With HBO’s strategic positioning as a successor to ‘Succession,’ Mickey Down and Konrad Kay’s gripping drama has ascended to become one of TV’s most astute observations on our contemporary society.

1. Shōgun (FX)

In nearly every possible way, the TV series “Shogun” emerged as the outstanding success story of 2024. With an impressive 18 Emmy wins, record-breaking viewership on FX, and two additional seasons in development, it surpassed expectations significantly. Initially, it was uncertain if investing $200 million in a primarily Japanese-language production, which was also the second adaptation of James Clavell’s 1975 bestseller about a 17th-century English sailor (Cosmo Jarvis) stranded in Japan and under the control of a politically isolated feudal lord (Hiroyuki Sanada), would yield returns.

In an era where American viewers appear divided along demographic and political lines, creators Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo managed to achieve a massive success in a traditional manner: by catering to all types of viewers. For fans of “Game of Thrones”, there were intense battles and complex political maneuvers. For those who appreciate prestige TV, themes like faith, honor, self-sacrifice, and cultural clashes were explored. History enthusiasts got a detailed look into a crucial era of Japanese history and the delicate East-West relationship. Unlike its predecessor, “Shōgun” offers a well-developed female character in Anna Sawai’s cunning and conflicted noblewoman, Toda Mariko. There’s also a developing romance storyline. It’s rare to find another show that seamlessly blends beautiful visuals, outstanding performances, and an emotive original score (by Atticus and Leopold Ross). With streaming platforms moving away from ambitious projects due to financial struggles, I hope “Shōgun” serves as a reminder throughout the industry that courage often leads to success.

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2024-12-03 22:07

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