2024came with stellar surprises and highly anticipated returns. While some series faltered under the weight of the aforementioned pressure, others rose to the occasion, leaving memorable scenes behind. Furthermore, the year saw new, exciting shows debut and win the hearts of its vast audience.Streamingoriginals, in particular, stunned audiences, with some shows offering ten, uninterrupted hours of compelling storytelling and others taking their time with a higher episode count.
From pleasant surprises likeNobody Wants Thisto marvels likeTrue Detective: Night Country, these shows made their mark in 2024 with their fresh, forward-pushing, and genuinely entertaining stories.
10‘Boarders’ (Tubi)
Boardersis a 2024 collaboration between the BBC and Tubi, following the lives of five young black scholars during their time at a prestigious boarding school. Drowning in negative press following a scandal, St. Gilbert’s Academy opts for a mutually beneficial arrangement that grants them five extraordinary students and good press. Recognizing the plot for what it is, the students and their counselor, portrayed by showrunner Daniel Lawrence Taylor, attempt to make the most of their newfound situation, resulting in one of the best new shows of the year.
A Razor-Sharp Teen Dramedy
Recently, many have taken to social media and online publications to discuss issues such as the vanishing examples of representation for young black characters. Favorably compared toSex Education,Boardersjuggles well-written reflections about identity and adolescence with witty, relatable humor. Championing multi-faceted characters created with consideration for the stories told and real-life, overlooked experiences,Boardersis one of the stronger reflections of reality audiences have on streaming.
9‘Hacks’ Season 3 (Max)
Hacksreturned for an equally successful third season and, while it may not come as a shock to fans and critics, it felt all the more amazing to sit down and dive into the best comedy about comedy. Picking up after Deborah (Jean Smart) and Ava’s (Hannah Einbender) split, the series initially tracks their respective career milestones before gifting audiences a messy, hilarious, but necessary reunion. Throughout the season, the beloved collective find themselves in bewildering situations that test their ingenuity, loyalty, and ambition.
A Stellar, Star-Studded Adventure
Hacksoffers more laughs with a healthy side of contemplation. Between Ava’s reassessment of her professional relationship with Deborah, the latter’s quest to earn a long-dreamed late-night show, and the resounding effects on characters like Marcus (Carl Clemons-Hopkins), Jimmy (Paul W. Downs), and Kayla (Megan Stalter), the triumphant third season is both a rewarding reunion and a sturdy foundation for the future.
How the Shocking and Dark Hacks Finale Suggests a New Direction for the Show
Is Hacks becoming a black comedy? The Season 3 finale certainly makes it seem so.
8‘True Detective: Night Country’ (HBO)
True Detective
True Detective: Night Countrytakes the famous franchise to the cold north as the fourth season follows an investigation into the disappearance of Alaska-based researchers. A joint effort by detectives Liz (Jodie Foster) and Evangeline Navarro (Kali Reis), the mystery at hand gives light to a cold case, one that picks Navarro’s interest due to personal trauma as well asthe all-too-real injustices against Indigenous women. Juggling grief, mental health, and corruption,True Detective: Night Countryis a moving and enthralling addition to the series.
A Haunting Mystery That Hits Close to Home
Falling in line with previous seasons ofTrue Detective, the Issa López-directed story unearths overlooked examples of corruption in law enforcement. Concurrently, the audience dives into the past lives of both Liz and Evangeline, the show holding nothing back in terms of sifting through the reasons behind their pain, animosity, and motivation for solving the web of mysteries they find themselves entrapped in. As a result, the series commanded attention from a resounding number of viewers upon its release.
7‘Nobody Wants This’ (Netflix)
Nobody Wants This
Nobody Wants Thisstole the hearts of millions upon its release on Netflix. The series follows a sex and dating podcast host named Joanne (Kristin Bell) and free-spirited rabbi Noah (Adam Brody) as they attempt to make sense of their mutual attraction. Despite being from seemingly different universes, Joanne and Noah’s shared effort at making things work results in a hilarious and heartfelt romance comedy.
An Insightful, Amusing Rom-Com
Nobody Wants Thismakes the most of this initially awkward pairing. From poignant discussions about religion and the purpose of life, to making light of the discomfort that comes with forging new relationships and reassessing others, the series is a refreshing addition to the genre. With a vested interest in exploring modern relationships and contemporary discussions about one’s ambition, identity, and fear,Nobody Wants Thisis a truly exceptional exploration of romance.
6‘The Penguin’ (Max)
The Penguin
The Penguinsees Colin Farrell starring as the titular villain, otherwise known as Oswald “Oz” Cobb. Set after the events ofThe Batman, the series tracks his rise from overlooked accomplice to a threatening kingpin in his own right. Alongside the appearance of a new confidant (Rhenzy Feliz) and the return of scandal-ridden Sofia Falcone (Cristin Millioti), Oz maneuvers quite the difficult ascent to power while also revisiting a complicated past.
A Gripping Character Study
Earning rave reviews andfavorable comparisons toThe Sopranos,The Penguinled audiences down a mature and gripping adaptation of the famous mobster’s story. In only eight episodes, the series displays a strong understanding of the complexities within a single human. From his devastating childhood to his relentless, yet somber race towards control,The Penguinis nothing short of sublime in its exploration of Cobb, Gotham, and the makings of a prolific villain.
5‘How to Die Alone’ (Hulu)
How To Die Alone
How to Die Aloneinvites audiences into the morose life of Mel (Natasha Rothwell), a JFK flight attendant who seems to be the living definition of Murphy’s Law. After a near-fatal accident, Mel pledges to actively seek enjoyment and growth while remaining on Earth. What ensues is a series of powerful and hilarious moments that wake up a lingering hope and excitement that thrives within Mel, and potentially her audience.
A Poignant Look at Loneliness and Introspection
Best known for her unforgettable contributions toInsecureandThe White Lotus, Natasha Rothwell is simply magnetic in her role. Alongside familiar faces like Conrad Ricamora (How to Get Away with Murder), Elle Lorraine (Insecure), and Bashir Salahuddin (South Side), the bevy of characters bring touching and earnest reflections of life from the pits of their tortured hearts to the surface, generating important conversations about self-worth, identity, and the unimaginable possibilities of a life that awaits anyone.
4‘Fallout’ (Prime Video)
Read Our ReviewInspired by the video game of the same name,Falloutenvisions a world ravaged by nuclear war and additional bloodshed. Set in the year 2236, the series follows a young woman named Lucy (Ella Purnell), who ventures beyond the security of the vaults that have sheltered humanity for the past two centuries. In search of her father, Lucy finds new allies and enemies while out in the dangerous terrain.
An Exciting, Experimental Adaptation
JoiningThe Last of Usas a successful reimagination of a popular video game franchise,Falloutbecame one of the most consumed series of the year, marking a personal best for Prime Video. From the commanding and captivating performance from leading lady Ella Purnell and the clever approach showrunners took in incorporating the game’s strengths, as well as areas of growth, into the series, there is no wonder behind the immediate success ofFallout.
The Ending of Fallout, Explained
Fallout season one has finally arrived, and its ending has big implications for not only the series but the entire Fallout video game franchise.
3‘Interview with the Vampire’ Season 2 (AMC)
Interview with the Vampire
Interview with the Vampirestunned audiences during its premiere. Revitalizing the iconic Anne Rice story, the series focuses on the dark and rich transformation of Louis de Pointe du Lac (Jacob Anderson). Set in New Orleans during the 1910s, the series traverses multiple terrains of topics such as religious trauma, anti-blackness, and intimate partner violence.
A Refined, Rewarding Gaze Into the Supernatural
What truly makesInterview With The Vampirea masterful addition to the genre is its invigorating consideration for the intricate themes introduced, steering away from the formulaic approach to vampirism in favor of a nuanced, sophisticated, and compelling look at the supernatural. The performances are simply sublime, a collective success that pulls at the heartstrings of its audiences. Furthermore, the rich storytelling fuses Gothic tropes with universal notions of family, pain, and fear. Interview With The Vampirecontinues to stun as news of a third season is confirmed.
2‘Shrinking’ Season 2 (Apple TV+)
Shrinkingfollows grieving therapist Jimmy Laird (Jason Segel) a year removed from the death of his wife, Tia (Lilan Bowden). Juggling clients, his disgruntled daughter Alice (Lukita Maxwell), and his boisterous friend group, the series is an astonishing exploration of what redemption and healing looks like. With two seasons under its belt,Shrinkingstands out as the perfect mélange of humor and sorrow.
A Feel-Good, Authentic Look at Life
Recently concluding its second season,Shrinkingwalks audiences through the intricate albeit identifiable emotions experienced during their road to recovery. Covering issues such as the loss of a loved one, feeling directionless, or anxiety surrounding major life changes, the series not only handles these issues with a necessary tact. Never afraid todive into the darkest cornersof its characters' stories, examining the seemingly unforgivable and inquiring about the power of forgiveness.
1‘Industry’ Season 4 (Max)
For the past two seasons,Industryhas been the streaming world’s best-kept secret. An HBO/Sky TV collaboration centered around the chaotic lives that define the financial world, the series invites audiences into a riveting game of chess from various vantage points. However, its third season saw the series earn record-breaking attention, and for all the great reasons too.
Between the pleasantly calculated Harper (MyHa’la), slowly-spiraling financiers like Eric (Ken Leung) and Rishi (Sagar Radhia), and new scandals that characters like Yasmin (Marisa Abela) and Rob (Harry Lawtey) attempted to navigate, the most recent season may very well be some of the best television had to offer this year.
A Worthwhile, Wonderful Evolution
When showrunners Konrad Kay and Mickey Down teased the third season, they referred to it as experimental, claiming they wrote each episode as if they were writing the season finale. By engaging with the timeline established in prior seasons,the darkly addictiveseries ultimately felt simultaneously reflective and refreshing. As the Pierpoint-affiliated protagonists slowly pull away from the aforementioned institution, the season opened up worthwhile wounds to explore, culminating in a series of satisfying and surprising conclusions that further widen the possibilities going forward.
