It could be argued that 2024 wasn't the best year
Highly anticipated shows like the final season of 鈥淪tranger Things," 鈥淭he Last of Us鈥� and 鈥淭he White Lotus鈥� didn't even make it on the calendar and will instead return in 2025. Streamers and networks by saying yes to less.
Writing off however, seems unfair. There were new standout comedies, dramas, reality TV and remakes of old favorites that caught the attention of viewers, awards voters and the zeitgeist.
In no particular order, here are 10 new shows from 2024 to check out before the new year.
鈥淣obody Wants This鈥�
In 2024, pop culture experienced a Brodyssance when Netflix's reminded many why they had a crush on Adam Brody in the early aughts when he was on 鈥淭he O.C.鈥� In this rom-com created by Erin Foster, Brody plays a rabbi named Noah who begins dating a gentile named Joanne (the always entertaining Kristen Bell) and their courtship as thirtysomethings unfolds. Before reaching their happily ever after, a number of obstacles 鈥� like religious differences, family pressures and career goals 鈥� need to be addressed. Hope is not lost, however, and throughout it all Noah and Joanne remain a good match. The supporting cast, by the way, is also a delight.
鈥沦耻辫补肠别濒濒鈥�
The British series 鈥沦耻辫补肠别濒濒鈥� introduced a smart spin on the superhero template. Created and written by Rapman, the show centers on a group of Black, working class people in London who discover they have superpowers. At first, it seems the powerful are linked by just the color of their skin but their real connection is a family history of The show addresses themes like the , poverty and how the media often The show has been renewed for a second season and is on Netflix.
鈥淭he Penguin鈥�
Another fresh take on the world of superheroes and their villains is 鈥淭he Penguin,鈥� on Max. The story picks up after the 2022 film but here, Batman is more a background character to the gangster story of Oz Cobb. played the criminal kingpin in the Pattinson film and reprises that role here. Cristin Milioti has also gotten positive reviews 鈥� and 鈥� for her portrayal of villain Sofia Falcone.
鈥淢补迟濒辞肠办鈥�
When CBS first announced it seemed like just a gender-flipped remake. Au contraire. Bates plays Madeline Kingston, a wealthy lawyer who comes out of retirement under the alias Mattie Matlock (with a similar folksy demeanor as Andy Griffith's). Her reason for returning to work is that she needs money but, in reality, she's out for revenge. It's also fun to see how the series addresses older people being often overlooked and underestimated, which Madeline sometimes leans into for her own benefit. It streams on Paramount+. (Bates also snagged a Globe nomination.)
鈥淭he Valley鈥�
When spinoff 鈥淭he Valley鈥� debuted on Bravo in spring, some fans rolled their eyes. It follows three former 鈥淰anderpump鈥� castmates 鈥� Jax Taylor, Brittany Cartwright and Kristen Doute 鈥� now living more settled lives amid a new circle of friends. Taylor and Doute knew the assignment 鈥� or just quickly fell into old habits of saying too much and stirring the pot. The new cast also impressed. Janet Caperna positioned herself as both above the drama and very much living for it. Jesse Lally showed vulnerability over the demise of his marriage to castmate Michelle Sanai, while also being an unapologetic snob. Viewers watched Taylor and Cartwright's marriage spiral, too (they're now divorcing). It streams on Peacock.
鈥淢r. & Mrs. Smith鈥�
Another adaptation with a twist is Prime Video's 鈥淢r. & Mrs. Smith,鈥� starring and Maya Erskine. It shares a title with the film starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, but differs dramatically: Glover and Erskine play spies assigned to pose as a married couple named John and Jane Smith. They quickly go from strangers to co-workers to lovers. Each episode sees John and Jane on a new assignment, with notable guest stars like Alexander Skarsg氓rd, Michaela Coel and Sharon Horgan. The show was nominated for 16 Emmy Awards and three Golden Globes.
鈥凌颈辫濒别测鈥�
a neo-noir Netflix adaptation about the con artist and serial killer created by Patricia Highsmith. Like the 1999 movie starring Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jude Law, this limited series is based on the Highsmith's 鈥淭he Talented Mr. Ripley.鈥� Tom Ripley is hired by a wealthy businessman to travel to Italy and encourage his son, Dickie, who is living a life of leisure, to return to the States. Ripley ends up becoming enamored with Dickie's lifestyle and the ruse turns deadly.
鈥淓nglish Teacher鈥�
Brian Jordan Alvarez created and stars in FX's 鈥淓nglish Teacher鈥� as Evan, a high school teacher in Texas, juggling the normal demands of the job amid societal changes. In one episode, Evan must show sensitivity to a student who has self-diagnosed herself with a made-up disease. In another, he successfully gets the school's gun safety program shut down but then is told all faculty must receive firearm training. As the adults on the show often struggle with getting it right, it's the students who seem less bothered with labels. The show also has a great soundtrack. It streams on Hulu.
鈥沦丑艒驳耻苍鈥�
a triumphant first season on FX, winning at this year's Emmys 鈥� including best drama series and best actor and actress in a drama for Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai. It's set during the power struggles in feudal Japan and is based on a 1975 James Clavell novel. FX didn't skimp on the production value, netting comparisons to 鈥淕ame of Thrones.鈥� It was originally planned as a limited series, but now two more seasons are planned. Episodes stream on Hulu.
鈥淧resumed Innocent鈥�
in his first TV series, 鈥淧resumed Innocent,鈥� for Apple TV+. Gyllenhaal is Rusty Sabich, a Chicago prosecutor accused of killing a colleague. Gyllenhaal's real brother-in-law, Peter Sarsgaard, plays Rusty's adversary, another lawyer trying to prove his guilt. The story comes from a Scott Turow novel that was made into a Harrison Ford film in 1990 but doesn't follow either to the letter. It was the streamer's most watched drama series so far and a second season has been ordered, with Gyllenhaal staying on as an executive producer.
Alicia Rancilio, The Associated Press
