It may be said that 2024 hasn’t been the most outstanding year for television. Major anticipated shows, including the concluding season of “Stranger Things,” “The Last of Us,” and “The White Lotus,” have been postponed and will premiere in 2025 instead. Meanwhile, streaming platforms and networks have opted to tighten their budgets, resulting in fewer new shows greenlit.
However, dismissing this year’s offerings would be unjust. This year has introduced a variety of remarkable comedies, dramas, reality shows, and remakes that have captivated audiences, judges, and pop culture fans alike. Below is a selection of 10 new series from 2024 worth watching before the year wraps up.
“Nobody Wants This” takes center stage, reviving nostalgia for Adam Brody from the early 2000s when he starred in “The O.C.” This rom-com, created by Erin Foster, features Brody as Noah, a rabbi who begins dating Joanne, portrayed by the ever-charming Kristen Bell. As this thirty-something couple navigates their relationship, they encounter numerous obstacles such as family expectations, differing religious beliefs, and personal aspirations. Nonetheless, Noah and Joanne’s chemistry prevails. The supportive cast enhances the enjoyment, adding further depth to the narrative.
Another notable mention is “Supacell,” a British series that creatively redefines the superhero genre. Crafted by Rapman, the series follows a group of Black, working-class individuals in London who uncover their newly acquired superpowers. Initially, their connection seems to stem from shared racial experience, but deeper ties emerge through their familial histories of sickle cell disease. The series intelligently tackles significant themes, including the exploitation of the Black community in healthcare and underrepresentation in media. “Supacell” has already been renewed for a second season and is available on Netflix.
Max introduces audiences to “The Penguin,” a fresh perspective on the superhero universe revolving around villains. Picking up from the 2022 film “The Batman,” which starred Robert Pattinson, the new series places Batman in a more ancillary role, focusing instead on gangster Oz Cobb’s story. Colin Farrell reprises his role as the nefarious kingpin. Critics have praised Cristin Milioti’s performance as Sofia Falcone, earning her a coveted Golden Globe nomination.
CBS’s new “Matlock” brings in Kathy Bates as the lead, demonstrating that it’s more than just a gender-swapped reboot of the classic series. Bates embodies Madeline Kingston, a high-profile lawyer who adopts the alias Mattie Matlock when returning to her profession. Although her financial situation motivates her comeback, her true personal agenda revolves around seeking vengeance. This refreshing take highlights the often-overlooked contributions of older characters and emphasizes their cunning nature. The series can be streamed on Paramount+ where Bates also received a Globe nomination.
The Bravo series “The Valley,” a spinoff of “Vanderpump Rules,” debuted to mixed reactions from fans. The show features three former “Vanderpump” stars—Jax Taylor, Brittany Cartwright, and Kristen Doute—who are now navigating more conventional lives while surrounded by a new group of friends. While Taylor and Doute showcase their classic drama-inducing tendencies, the new cast members bring their own compelling narratives. Janet Caperna balances being above the fray while still immersed in it, and Jesse Lally displays vulnerability regarding his marriage’s end. The ups and downs of Taylor and Cartwright’s relationship, now leading to divorce, add further layers to this reality series, available on Peacock.
In a twist on a well-known title, Prime Video presents “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” featuring Donald Glover and Maya Erskine. Unlike the original film with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, this series follows spies John and Jane Smith, who evolve from strangers to a married couple and eventually romantic partners. Each episode features new assignments with surprise guest appearances from stars like Alexander Skarsgård, Michaela Coel, and Sharon Horgan. The series gained significant recognition, securing 16 Emmy nominations and three Golden Globe nominations.
Netflix’s “Ripley” features Andrew Scott in a neo-noir adaptation based on Patricia Highsmith’s notorious con artist. Similar to the 1999 film starring Matt Damon, this limited series draws inspiration from “The Talented Mr. Ripley.” As Tom Ripley, he is tasked with persuading a wealthy businessman’s relaxed son, Dickie, to return to the U.S. However, Ripley becomes involved in a dangerous obsession, leading the story to a dark climax.
“English Teacher,” an FX series created by and starring Brian Jordan Alvarez, focuses on Evan, a Texas high school educator navigating various challenges amidst changing societal norms. In one episode, he copes with a student who has self-diagnosed with a fictitious disease, while in another, Evan champions the end of a gun safety program yet is soon faced with mandatory firearm training. The series illustrates how adult characters often struggle while the students seem unfazed by labels, serving as a striking commentary on modern education. Viewers can find it on Hulu.
“Sh?gun,” also on FX, triumphed during its inaugural season by winning an impressive 18 awards at this year’s Emmys, including honors for best drama series and leading performances by Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai. Set against the backdrop of feudal Japan’s power clashes and inspired by James Clavell’s 1975 novel, the series boasts significant production quality reminiscent of “Game of Thrones.” Initially planned as a limited series, the show has now garnered two additional seasons set to continue the story, available for streaming on Hulu.
Lastly, Jake Gyllenhaal shines in “Presumed Innocent,” his first television project streaming on Apple TV+. Here, Gyllenhaal portrays Rusty Sabich, a prosecutor in Chicago entangled in a murder accusation concerning a coworker. He faces off against his real brother-in-law, Peter Sarsgaard, who plays the lawyer determined to prove Rusty’s guilt. While this narrative is rooted in a Scott Turow novel, it deviates from previous adaptations, becoming the platform’s most popular drama series to date, prompting the green light for a second season with Gyllenhaal continuing as an executive producer.
