This is my list of TV shows from 2024 that range from acceptable to terrific. I am not going to rank them, because there are too many, but I will say without hesitation that Shōgun was above and beyond everything else. I present these with brief, nearly thoughtless commentary, in the order in which they premiered.

The Brothers Sun

Netflix · January 4, 2024

Classic Netflix, canceling a show that people actually enjoyed. There was a lot of stupid in this series, but it also had a lot of heart and style. And sometimes you want silly action with a dose of family.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith

Prime Video · February 1, 2024

I did not expect to like this, but it was pretty great. The chemistry between Glover and Erskine is easily at the top of the list this year.

The Way

BBC One · February 19, 2024

This one is not perfect, and it definitely steps across the line to be a normal TV show more than I would have liked, but the themes of mass surveillance and deepfakes most certainly speak to me. Adam Curtis, make another drama. We need your thoughts hitting the mainstream now more than ever. Michael Sheen, of course you're not related to Charlie.

Boarders

BBC Three · February 20, 2024

I don't like racists, and I don't like the ultra wealthy. When you pair that with an assortment of underdogs- both as actors and characters- I'm most likely going to enjoy it. Sure, there's nothing groundbreaking here, but Josh Tedeku really kills it in everything I've seen so far, and the rest of the cast is charming in their own ways.

Shōgun

FX on Hulu · February 27, 2024

This is far and away the best show that aired in 2024. It angers me when I recommend it to people and they don't watch it. Like, do you even like yourself? Yes, I should really read the book, and I would like to watch the 1980 NBC version at some point, but if they hadn't made this show as well as they did, I'm not sure I would've ever come to those conclusions. Impeccable acting and pacing throughout. Just watch it, please?

3 Body Problem

Netflix · March 21, 2024

A fun series that I had the fortune of not caring to read the books, so nothing was wrong or ruined for me... but after finishing the season, I thought, "hm, maybe I should read the book?". This is a common theme this year.

Sugar

Apple TV+ · April 4, 2024

We, the people living in the social media ADD era, need more shows with pacing like this. Colin Farrell, despite there being plenty of other talented actors doing what they can, makes this series feel like he's the only one there at times. Somehow, that's a good thing. If you heard about any plot twist, don't bother worrying about that- just watch.

Fallout

Prime Video · April 10, 2024

I never played the games, and generally I don't think I'd like something like this (you wouldn't catch me watching Halo, believe me), but this was an easy, enjoyable show. It had issues (casting the endlessly problematic Michael Rapaport for more or less a throwaway role... why?), but it was fun. And I do want to play the original game now. Seems like it could be good...

Baby Reindeer

Netflix · April 11, 2024

Goodness. Cue the flushed emoji. Maybe the squished face. No, scratch that. There's no emoji that can handle the emotional breadth present in this show. There really aren't many shows like this one, nor should there be. It was difficult to watch, barely softened by Richard Gadd's self-deprecating humor, but overall it's frighteningly compelling. I was very much pulled in by the acting, particularly Jessica Gunning. Yikes. In a good way? I'm sorry to hear about any potential weirdness regarding the real life side of it, but the show was rather captivating.

Under the Bridge

Hulu · April 17, 2024

Kids, my goodness. You kids can be so mean. Based on a true story, which is depressing. Lily Gladstone is a great actress, I wish there was more of her in this and less of Riley Keough, but what can you do. Did this journalist really do acid with a teenager to prove she wasn't a narc? Where's that flushed emoji, again? Another one that I tragically learned was based on a book after finishing the series.

Conan O'Brien Must Go

Max · April 18, 2024

Bless this man. How can he so proudly be an idiot, while still being insightful? How can he be such a confident and playful man, still to this day? Authenticity. I look up to this level of authenticity. Also, I mean, it's probably worth the watch for the Herzog intro alone.

Eric

Netflix · May 30, 2024

I watched this all in a big bunch when I was sick, and I found it to be thoughtful and well-acted. Don't know anybody else that watched it. Maybe there's just not much of an audience for fucked up Benedict Cumberbatch characters after his role in Patrick Melrose?

Supacell

Netflix · June 27, 2024

I don't know how many superhero vehicles I can watch and enjoy while still claiming I don't like superhero content, but I must say... this one was good.

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder

BBC Three · July 10, 2024

What can I say, I'm a sucker for a British murder mystery.

We Might Regret This

BBC Two · August 19, 2024

I'm a sucker for British murder mysteries, but I'm an even bigger sucker for a dry, comedy with a serious undertone. The whole cast was terrific, especially Kyla Harris and Elena Saurel.

The Penguin

HBO · September 19, 2024

I started watching this because I wanted something stupid. The makeup / CGI was absurd. But you know what? It was alright! There were still way too many superhero tropes for my liking, but the acting was pretty solid- especially sugarman Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti.

Ludwig

BBC One · September 25, 2024

David Mitchell. I love him, probably always will, due to Peep Show. But Anna Maxwell Martin really steals the show in this somewhat mundane, but enjoyable mystery.

Disclaimer

Apple TV+ · October 11, 2024

This was fairly intriguing, although I found a lot of the sexual content to be extremely over the top and completely pointless. Lofty without fully delivering, but still an interesting watch. Oh, how could I forget to single out the best part of the show? Kevin Kline's performance was fantastic!

Rivals

Netflix · October 18, 2024

Stupid, fun. David Tennant is great as always, but Bella Maclean impressed me as well. Katherine Parkinson has yet to disappoint me. Emphasis on stupid, though! This show leans a bit too hard on "this would get someone canceled" themes, but it's still fun because of the convincing cast and- once more for the people in back- the sheer stupidity of it all.

Say Nothing

FX on Hulu · November 14, 2024

In 2024, any pride I had in being Irish was elevated by the way seemingly the majority of that country responded to the genocide of the Palestinian people. I felt that pride while watching this series, whilst also doing my fair share of grimacing at various hardcore torture scenes and a large amount of violence against women. It seems like The Troubles was perhaps a complicated matter, but the story of sisterhood doesn't have to be.

Television Shows That Continued in 2024

Is it really possible that these were the only two shows that weren't the first season or a miniseries that I watched this year? Does that mean I should just be watching movies?

Extraordinary

Hulu · Season 2

I am not sure how or why I started watching this, but I somehow felt compelled to continue into the second season. The four lead actors do a good job and have a natural charm, and any time Julian Barratt shows up, I'm going to be at the very least curious. But really, Sofia Oxenham's absurd character reminds me of some of my relatives, and that might be why I kept watching.

Hacks

Max · Season 3

There is undeniable chemistry between the older and younger lead actors, and both are just delightful in their own ways. The third season really bounced back after a somewhat listless and aimless second season.

Silo

Apple TV+ · Season 2

I should really read the books, shouldn't I? I haven't finished the second season (still airing as I write this list), but I'm still enthralled.

Other Shows That I Meant to Watch