The 25 Best TV Shows of 2024 So Far

It’s only halfway through 2024, but we’ve already been treated to a wealth of outstanding stories on television. Given the number of streaming options available, one could argue there’s never been more TV to watch — which often makes narrowing down the best of the best a little difficult! That said, some shows have already stood out among the rest of the pack so far. They immerse us in worlds ranging from the spectacular and fantastical (looking at you, House of the Dragon) to ones that feel a little closer to home. They’re anchored by talent both in front of and behind the camera. They’re new shows, returning shows, sleeper hits, word-of-mouth phenomenons, and the list goes on… literally! For now, we’ve managed to settle on our picks for the top 25 TV shows of 2024 (so far); who knows what the rest of the year will bring?

Abbott Elementary

Season 3

When I said Quinta Brunson‘s Emmy-winning series Abbott Elementary was funnier than ever back in 2022, there was part of me that thought in the back of my mind that this couldn’t surely last forever. Little did I know that the show would continue to outdo itself, remaining at the very top of its class as it continued to find plenty of uproarious humor in both the classroom and outside it. Each member of the cast remains outstanding, hitting all the right comedic notes perfectly as they continue to carry the most spectacular sitcom on television right now to greater heights. Sure, there was the big moment in the finale that everyone had been waiting for, but everything around it was just as great as it continued to find new comedic ground. Wherever it goes from here, it’s worth following with Brunson and co at the wheel. — Chase Hutchinson

Watch on Hulu

Baby Reindeer

When you hear a name like Baby Reindeer, you might assume the show in question is about Christmas or something cute and animated — or, at the very least, some sort of nature documentary following an adorable baby deer. What you might not think is that it’s about a man battling trauma, depression, and stalking. But that’s exactly what Richard Gadd‘s self-written, directed, and starring series is about. Gadd plays Donny, a struggling comedian who becomes the target of an aggressive stalker named Martha (Jessica Gunning), but the series is so much more than just a story about the terrors of being stalked. We venture deep into Donny’s past, and the series isn’t afraid to dive into some heavy and dark material. Gadd’s storytelling is compelling, and the way he writes not only Donny but also Martha offers a complicated view of these two nuanced characters in one of the year’s biggest sleeper hits. — Therese Lacson

Watch on Netflix

The Boys

Season 4

Prime Video series The Boys is never one to shy away from any manner of mayhem, uncomfortable emotions, or events that too closely mirror real life. Season 4 sees Homelander (Antony Starr) confronted with the fact that his super-powered teenage son Ryan (Cameron Crovetti) could very well steal the spotlight from him, which is not good for someone with his level of deep-seated insecurities. On the other hand, Hughie (Jack Quaid) had very different father issues, faced with being the one to put a stop to the destruction Hugh Sr. (Simon Pegg) was causing due to his V-induced powers.

Victoria Neuman (Claudia Doumit) is getting closer than ever to the Oval Office, Billy Butcher (Karl Urban) only has months to live, and The Boys can’t seem to be able to stay on the same page, all of which is even more dangerous when you throw in a virus that can kill supes. With the knowledge that, in order for that virus to be powerful enough to take out Homelander, they’d have to take out all supes, it’s only a matter of time before Butcher’s hand will be forced and he’ll have to decide just how far he’s willing to go. And with Season 5 officially the last installment of the blood-soaked series, it’s all clearly leading to a showdown between Homelander and Butcher. — Christina Radish

Watch on Prime Video

Bridgerton

Season 3

After three seasons, it’s safe to say that the Bridgerton craze is not a fluke. Season 3 focuses on the story of Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan), a pairing lovingly dubbed “Polin” — and it would not be an exaggeration to say that people have been looking forward to the ship for quite some time. After building Pen and Colin’s character for two seasons, especially since Penelope is the mysterious gossip columnist Lady Whistledown, the season did not disappoint, giving us some of the steamiest episodes of the entire series between two electrifying leads.

While Season 3 was not without some flaws (a chief complaint is that there just wasn’t enough of Polin), it also took the show to places that it hasn’t gone before, making its first major divergence from the book series it’s based on. With the series continuing to top Netflix charts and break records, it’s never been a better time to be a Bridgerton fan. Now, if we could only get a couple more shows like this! — Therese Lacson

Watch on Netflix

Criminal Record

Police procedurals are a dime a dozen these days, especially coming out of the UK, so it takes something really special to make any of them stand out from the crowd. It’s hard to know what that something special is, but Apple TV+ seems to have the formula for a perfect series locked down, and they’ve brought that to the procedural in 2024 with Criminal Record. There’s probably no better duo on TV this year than Peter Capaldi and Cush Jumbo, playing two detectives at odds with each other when their morals clash over a missing persons case. Each star is electric on their own, with Capaldi bringing years of experience to a grizzled but not entirely unemotional DCI, but together they’re a force of nature, knocking almost every other show on the streamer out of the park. It’s fresh and innovative while still hitting all the classic marks of procedurals that audiences love so much, taking them up a notch to make you question your own ideas of right and wrong, and whether anything can truly have a happy ending in the midst of a corrupt system. — Maggie Boccella

Watch on Apple TV+

Dead Boy Detectives

The eight-episode Netflix comic book series Dead Boy Detectives follows Edwin Payne (George Rexstrew) and Charles Rowland (Jayden Revri), ghosts who became best friends in death and have teamed up to solve mysteries that will help those in limbo be on their way. Edwin was sacrificed by a group of bullies in 1916, which left him having to escape Hell, and Charles was killed by bullies in 1990 at the same school that Edwin attended, leading them to form the Dead Boy Detective Agency as a way to help wayward souls resolve things and move on to the afterlife.

In order to continue avoiding Hell and Death, Edwin and Charles team up with a clairvoyant named Crystal Palace (Kassius Nelson) and her friend Niko (Yuyu Kitamura), who can see ghosts after a near-death experience. Crystal and Niko rent a room from Jenny (Briana Cuoco), the owner of the Tongue & Tail butcher shop, who comes with some very helpful advice and support, as the foursome find themselves up against an immortal witch seeking revenge, a demon stalking his ex, a Cat King, Dandelion Sprites, and the head of the Afterlife’s Lost and Found Department. But the strongest aspect of it all is the bond formed between this team, through friendship, unrequited love, and new romance. Now, all that’s left is for Netflix to greenlight a second season. — Christina Radish

Watch on Netflix

Doctor Who

Season 1

Following a delightful 60th anniversary celebration last fall, Doctor Who returned in full force this year with a soft reboot and a new Doctor. Despite fighting an uphill battle against a lower episode count than most of the show’s previous seasons, Russell T. Davies delivered an exciting season that has revitalized our love for the long-running series. Ncuti Gatwa bounded onto the scene as the 15th Doctor with more charisma than all of his previous regenerations combined and instantly solidified himself as one of the best Doctors of all time. Mixed with that charm is a deep well of emotion, a big big heart filled with love for all creatures, and a haunted past that keeps him running from one planet to the next. Meanwhile, we also met new companion Ruby Sunday, played by the bright Millie Gibson, and though it seems like her story is wrapped up with a happily ever after, we can’t wait to see her again in Season 2.

Disney+ gave the series a dazzling new coat of paint, allowing for some truly stunning visual and practical effects, though the heart of what we’ve loved about Doctor Who for decades still shines through. From a queer Regency romance and sharp political commentary to the return of Steven Moffat and the introduction of one of the best villains in years, the new season is filled with top-notch episodes that will have you riding an emotional rollercoaster you won’t want to get off of. The new season runs a range of genres from scary and poignant to silly and campy, making Doctor Who feel limitless. It’s definitely worth your time, whether you’re completely new to the franchise or you’ve been here since 1963. — Samantha Coley

Watch on Disney+

Fallout

In the wake of HBO’s groundbreaking The Last of Usshattering the mold for video game adaptations and setting the bar for sharp, nuanced storytelling, Prime Video’s Fallout has proven itself as a solid contender for the best of 2024. Thanks to the vision of Jonathan Nolan (Westworld) alongside creators Graham Wagner and Geneva Robertson-Dworet, the essence of the iconic game is still intact with the eight-episode series, which only amplifies its charm. It also makes for some very comedic situations that find Fallout much more humorous than a hardened drama like The Last of Us.

While it draws on typical Western archetypes to harness its likability, Fallout‘s authenticity is found in its brilliant, multi-dimensional characters, like Lucy (played by series lead Ella Purnell). On a quest to save her kidnapped father (Kyle MacLachlan) after a breach in the Vaults where they live, Lucy’s journey into a devastated Los Angeles explores something of a coming-of-age story for her as she digs into the truth. However, there are bumps along the dusty road when she crosses Walton Goggins’ cynical yet charismatic Ghoul, a typical rogue and radiation-damaged gunslinger, and Aaron Moten’s Maximus, a Knight of the Brotherhood of Steel (with a giant asterisk). For a post-apocalyptic gaming franchise that powers up visually stunning graphics, Fallout is every bit of fun as you would imagine. Balancing high production value with immersive storytelling and a fresh narrative that resonates with both fans of the game and new viewers, it’s a series that perfectly captures the dark irony and twisted humor of a post-nuclear America. Couple that with a gripping plot and very likable characters (I see you, sexy Ghoul) and you’ve got one of the best standouts of the year. — Tania Hussain

Watch on Prime Video

The Gentlemen

Guy Ritchie is one of those filmmakers where I’ll go out of my way to seek out whatever new project he cooks up. Sure, he’s had some stumbles, but he’s one of the most consistent directors when it comes to delivering an entertaining action flick. The Gentlemen, a spin-off to his highly underrated 2020 movie of the same name, is some of his best work in years. I’d argue it even surpassed the movie. You wouldn’t think that watching Theo James’ Eddie Halstead evolve (or devolve) from an English aristocrat to a criminal kingpin would be as fun as it is. Pair that with a dynamite performance from Kaya Scodelario and a shockingly Emmy-worthy turn from Vinnie Jones, and you have what is easily one of the best shows of 2024. Each of the eight one-hour episodes flows at such a breakneck pace that I was losing track of time watching this eccentric batch of characters navigate the British criminal underworld. Where is the Season 2 renewal, Netflix? — Nate Richard

Watch on Netflix

Hacks

Season 3

In 2021, co-creators Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello, and Jen Statsky gifted us Hacks, a comedy series about famed Las Vegas stand-up comedian Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) who is paired up with Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder), an unfiltered and somewhat disgraced 25-year-old comedy writer, in the hopes of expanding her career beyond Vegas and appealing to a larger audience. Typically, when a series has an exceptional first season, the seasons that follow can never live up to the hype or quality. Hacks, however, simply keeps getting better.

Aside from being as sharp and quick-witted as ever, Season 3 of the Emmy-winning series continues to peel back the layers of the premise we fell for in the first place, further complicating Ava and Deborah’s very loving — and very toxic — relationship. What makes their dynamic so unique is that both Deborah and Ava have bold personalities, which often leads to butted heads and raised voices. In an effort to avoid spoilers, we’ll skirt past specifics, but Einbinder packs an epic emotional gut punch in the finale that surely secures her spot at the Emmys, and Smart’s steely, restrained reaction does the same. It’s also nice to see standout supporting character Kayla (played by the hysterical, impeccably timed Megan Stalter) continue to grow beyond her one-liners. Season 3 of Hacks is charming, thought-provoking TV at its best. — Emily Bernard

Watch on Max

House of the Dragon

Season 2

Though it may have gotten off to a bit of a rocky start in establishing the pieces on the board, this bigger and bloodier second season of House of the Dragon has proven to be one of the most enthralling and disquieting depictions of power consuming all that fantasy of this scale has seen in some time. For all the ways this story may be sprawling in scope and the number of growing characters, it’s actually growing more intimate as we see the fault lines tearing open all the well-acted characters. Plus, we can actually see them, unlike some of the low points of the last season, as everything is far better shot and lit this time around. If you found yourself tuning out after the first episode, trust me when I say that you’re going to want to saddle back up and take flight, as the dragons of this world have plenty of fire left. — Chase Hutchinson

Watch on Max

Interview with the Vampire

Season 2

With its second season, AMC’s adaptation of Interview with the Vampire arguably had an even higher bar to clear than the first. Although Season 1 didn’t necessarily earn the same kind of awards buzz that other, non-genre shows did at the time of its release, it provided Jacob Anderson with even more of a playground to showcase the true extent of his talents on the heels of his all-too-brief time on Game of Thrones. Meanwhile, if there was anyone who could inhabit the unpredictable, mercurial Lestat de Lioncourt opposite his Louis de Pointe du Lac, it was Sam Reid, who arguably plays the best version of the character to date and made up one-half of the reason why we fell in love with this complicated vampire duo in the first season.

Once Season 2 rolled around, the story didn’t let up in terms of shocking pivots, heartbreaking reveals, and incredibly messy relationship dynamics. Now having revealed himself, the vampire Armand (a hypnotizing Assad Zaman) joins the interview with Daniel Molloy (a wonderfully dry Eric Bogosian) in present-day Dubai, providing his own perspective on what transpired once Louis and Claudia (an equally sage and fiery Delainey Hayles) reached Paris — and met a wholly new vampire coven. Newcomers to the series, like Ben Daniels as the manipulative vampire thespian Santiago, and Roxane Duran as Claudia’s unexpected human companion Madeleine, only helped to build out and enrich the world of Interview that much more. Season 2 also, ultimately, leans even further into the notion of the unreliable narrator, reminding us that one person might remember a certain memory in a wholly different way than someone else, and that new details always emerge upon deeper reflection. The late Anne Rice, on whose books the series is based, was once quoted as saying that television is where her vampires were always meant to be — and now that the show has been confirmed for a Season 3, it’s clear these vampires are still just as enduring and captivating on the small screen as they were when she first committed them to the page. — Carly Lane

Watch on AMC+

Manhunt

When it comes to quality content, Apple TV+ is by far the most consistent streamer, with Manhunt just further proving this point. Based on James L. Swanson‘s Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer, the historical limited series follows U.S. Secretary of War Edwin Stanton (Tobias Menzies) as he wrestles with the assassination of his right-hand man and the president, Abraham Lincoln (skillfully played by Hamish Linklater), by mediocre actor John Wilkes Booth (Anthony Boyle).

Manhunt might take place during one of the most well-documented periods of American history, but it digs impressively deep into details of the era that history books easily gloss over. As the title suggests, the relentless search is on for Booth, a wormy, cowardly, narcissist that Boyle inhabits so well from start to finish. Menzies gives an unwavering performance of a man who is both riddled with grief and determined to avenge the death of his closest companion — all while the country watches. It also features notable dramatic turns from Matt Walsh and Patton Oswalt, two performers most often associated with the comedy genre. Manhunt is a gripping, unexpected look into one of the most shocking moments in American history. — Emily Bernard

Watch on Apple TV+

Mary & George

Mary & George is what happens when every single department is operating at its highest level. Each frame looks like an oil painting, and the score sounds like it was put together by a classical composer, immersing you into the luxurious world of early 17th-century royalty. But make no mistake — this isn’t another dry, by-the-book period piece. Mary & George is overflowing with personality. It’s witty enough to make your stomach hurt from laughter, sexy enough to leave you blushing, and moving enough that you might even shed a tear or two when you least expect it.

I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it a thousand more times if I have to: Julianne Moore deserves to secure another Emmy for this. Her role as the cunning, calculating social climber Mary Villiers is an extremely challenging one, yet she manages to make every delightfully wicked second look easy, giving her surprising depth and vulnerability underneath the clever quips, sneaky schemes, and lavish costumes. Nicholas Galitzine and Tony Curran are similarly impressive, with their complex dynamic acting as the beating heart of the show and revealing more and more layers as each perfectly paced episode progresses. It’s rare that the smartest show on television is also the most fun, but Mary & George manages that feat. Long live King James I and his horny, hilarious, irresistible court. — Taylor Gates

Watch on Starz

Masters of the Air

If you haven’t realized that Apple TV+ has been quietly killing it in the period drama sphere for the last couple of years, you haven’t been paying attention. Shows like Masters of the Air are proof that there’s an appetite for big-budget, cinematic fare you can stream in the comfort of your living room, too. Executive produced by Gary Goetzmann, Tom Hanks, and Steven Spielberg, and based on the book of the same name by Donald L. Miller, the series is a powerful, gripping examination of the human condition during wartime and a tribute to the Air Force pilots and crewmen who were placed in some of the deadliest situations during World War II — all while thousands of feet up in the air.

With a cast of big-name talent as well as up-and-comers, Masters of the Air boasts an impressive number of performances. Austin Butler and Callum Turner play real-life pilots and lifelong best friends Major Gale “Buck” Cleven” and Major John “Bucky” Egan, whose dedication to each other helps them overcome some of the toughest missions they face. As chief navigator Lt. Harry Crosby and the literal voice of the series (and a far cry from his other role on this list in Manhunt), Anthony Boyle is our window into this world, with his narration carrying us through some of the biggest times of uncertainty and loss. Barry Keoghan, Nate Mann, Josiah Cross, Branden Cook, Ncuti Gatwa, Raff Law, Kai Alexander, Bel Powley, and so many more come together to breathe life into important pieces of history, and the show’s immersive VFX sequences (with real B-17 cockpits recreated for the battles) make the dangers feel that much more vivid, engaging, and harrowing. — Carly Lane

Watch on Apple TV+

Mr. & Mrs. Smith

In many ways, it’s a miracle Prime Video’s Mr. & Mrs. Smith, an adaptation of the 2005 movie of the same name starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, got made. The series, which was initially developed by and set to star Donald Glover and Phoebe Waller-Bridge, was announced back in 2021 and endured casting changes, delays, and strikes. Not only did the spy series make it to the finish line, but it exceeded expectations — largely due to the impeccable chemistry between Donald Glover and Maya Erskine.

The duo is overflowing with immense charm, vulnerability, and playfulness in a genre that can often feel repetitive and too reliant on action rather than its characters. Erskine and Glover adeptly bring Francesca Sloane and the rest of the writers’ sharp dialogue to life, and instantly make us root for the titular John and Jane Smith, whose journey is as heartwarming as it is intense. (Shout out to Sarah Paulson for giving a hilarious standout performance among a sea of strong guest stars.) Erskine and Glover effortlessly weave comedy and drama together, and their emotional arc will likely lead you to examine your own relationships a little bit closer. — Emily Bernard

Watch on Prime Video

One Day

If you’re aching for a romance that looks past the clichés and digs into the complexities of human relationships, Netflix’s One Day is the answer. It’s not only one of the best series of 2024, but it will emotionally wreck you for days — trust us. Starring Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall, the distinctly unique mini-series consisting of 14 episodes is infinitely better than its 2011 movie version based on the 2009 novel of the same name by David Nicholls. It’s also the exact model for what every epic love story needs to include. It’s raw, emotional, and layered without ever feeling too sappy.

With Nicholls’ beloved novel previously marred by a lackluster film adaptation, the Netflix series finds its true essence with a magnetic pairing that brings another point of emotion to the dynamic. One Day chronicles the annual reunion of Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew, former university mates whose complex relationship evolves every July 15th. Creator and lead writer Nicole Taylor has crafted a narrative that unfolds over episodes, allowing for a deeper and more organic exploration of Emma and Dexter’s characters. Not to mention, Mod and Woodall deliver some of the best performances of their young careers so far.

One Day isn’t just a romance, though. Of course, it’s emotional and has characters confronting their feelings, but it’s also incredibly authentic in terms of its relationships and the complexities in the understanding of friends to lovers. In so many ways, the show is a poignant exploration of our greatest triumphs and heartaches, set against a happy/sad coming-of-age story. It’s also incredibly pointed with its balance between moments of levity and emotional depth, further drawing viewers into a journey that — as fans of the book know — ends in inevitable heartbreak. As a compelling tale of loss and love, the show promises an unforgettable experience that lingers with you long after it’s over. — Tania Hussain

Watch on Netflix

Palm Royale

As Apple TV+ continues to dominate the period programming landscape, one of its best from 2024 is without a doubt, the charming, decadent, and campyPalm Royale. Loosely based on Juliet McDaniel’s novel Mr. and Mrs. American Pie, the Abe Sylvia-created series executive produced by Laura Dern and Jayme Lemons, takes the crown for being a visual feast into the glamorous portrayal of high society. Starring the incomparable Kristen Wiig as Maxine Simmons, a determined socialite-wannabe, Palm Royale showcases the lengths one will go to belong.

From the series’ bold and vibrant outfits to the lavish interiors that add an authentic feel, the show immerses viewers in the era. Wiig’s portrayal of Maxine is a tour de force, infusing her character with so much heart and humor. But it’s her chemistry with the cast, particularly the charismatic Ricky Martin and the ever-enigmatic Allison Janney, who propels the show to greatness. It’s all juicy and fun and features some of the most hilarious scenes from Wiig, a comedy genius who holds her own, with an icon like co-star Carol Burnett. By pairing dark humor with deep shades of drama, Palm Royale is both devilishly stylish and fun. It stands out as one of the year’s best new shows thanks to its smart blend of style, substance, and star power. — Tania Hussain

Watch on Apple TV+

Ripley

If you’ve watched all the lackluster television sludge that ends up on Netflix, you’ll know that Ripley is one of the most magnificent series on the streamer in quite some time. Not only does it feature a fantastic leading performance from the great Andrew Scott, but it was shot by the talented cinematographer Robert Elswit who previously did work on some of the best movies ever made, like There WIll Be Blood, Boogie Nights, and Magnolia. You can tell as every frame of this black-and-white wonder is gorgeous to behold. Though there was once a time when I would have said the story couldn’t be done again, this series proves that it absolutely can, carving out a thematic and visual identity all its own. — Chase Hutchinson

Watch on Netflix

Shōgun

FX’s Shōgun was surrounded by anticipation before it was even released, billed as one of the network’s most ambitious shows ever, both in terms of scope and budget. Yet the series took its time drawing in an audience — and as positive word of mouth only spread, it just meant that more and more viewers were able to tune in each week and let the series sweep them away to the world of feudal Japan. While Shōgun‘s looming war and various power struggles earned early comparisons to Game of Thrones, the Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks-created series (adapted from the bestselling novel by James Clavell) paved its own way forward on the strength of characters like Lord Yoshii Toranaga, played by star and executive producer Hiroyuki Sanada, whose control is threatened by his own political rivals; Lady Toda Mariko, played by Anna Sawai, whose Catholic faith wars with her commitment to her liege lord Toranaga; and John Blackthorne, played by Cosmo Jarvis, a wayward Protestant pilot who literally washes up on the shores of a foreign land and experiences a serious culture clash in the process.

Although Shōgun is an American series, the contributions of its Japanese cast and crew can’t be overstated enough. From powerhouses like Sanada overseeing every aspect of production, ensuring authenticity and accuracy, to presences like Tadanobu Asano as the scheming yet hilarious Yabushige and Moeka Hoshi as the seemingly meek Fuji, every aspect of Shōgun set the show up for success from the very beginning — and then the audience responded, with things like memes and online chatter each week taking everyone back to the watercooler discussion days of yore. Even if the show hadn’t been renewed for a second (or third!) season, Shōgun has already succeeded at not only becoming one of the best shows of 2024, but one of the best shows that’s ever existed. — Carly Lane

Watch on Hulu

The Sympathizer

Park Chan-wook and Don McKellar’s adaptation of The Sympathizer has one of the best pilots I’ve seen in years. It accurately recaptures both the satire and the intensity of Viet Than Nguyen’s incredible novel, and at times it even elevates the material to new levels. It shouldn’t be a shock that a director like Park can make a series like this something that you wish you could be watching on the big screen, instead of at home on your television.

While the rest of the series may not exactly top that first episode, it’s still a fantastic limited series. Hoa Xuande gives a star-making performance as the morally conflicted Captain, exuding so much charisma, even as an unreliable narrator. Coming off of his Oscar-winning performance in Oppenheimer, Robert Downey Jr. is going full-character actor mode, playing multiple roles. While this could have easily come off as distracting, Downey’s commitment to the role makes it work, and his performances pair perfectly with the series’ complex meld of dark comedy and tragedy. — Nate Richard

Watch on Max

Sugar

A TV show about a Los Angeles private detective doesn’t necessarily scream “original idea.” Then, there’s Sugar, the Apple TV+ series led by Colin Farrell that takes everything you thought you knew about the noir genre and chucks it out the side of a 1966 Chevrolet Stingray Corvette. Created by Mark Protosevich, this crime mystery series follows Farrell’s John Sugar, an unassuming, keeps-to-himself detective who’s been recruited by legendary movie producer Jonathan Siegel (James Cromwell) to get answers to his many questions involving his granddaughter Olivia’s (Sydney Chandler) kidnapping.

Sugarpays homage to noir of the 1940s and ’50s in several clever ways, the most prominent being the effective, slick use of narration throughout each episode that makes us feel like it’s us and Sugar against the world. Farrell fits the mold of what you’d expect from the protagonist of a modern noir, though his character is refreshingly more nuanced than the detectives that have come before him. He might look like a womanizer, but he’s actually the one to ward off any advances. He might look like a guy you don’t want to cross (and he certainly will put you in your place if he has to), but Sugar’s a total sweetie pie who will go out of his way to help a stranger. Amy Ryan and Eric Lange also give stand-out performances, the latter of whom plays what might be one of the most terrifying villains on TV right now. And how about that bonkers twist!? (If you know, you know.) — Emily Bernard

Watch on Apple TV+

True Detective: Night Country

Ah, HBO Sundays — how I missed you so. There’s no better way to beat the Sunday scaries than by live-tweeting the newest episode of Big Little Lies, Mare of Easttown, Succession, or — this past winter — True Detective: Night Country. The anthology’s fourth season features a compelling setting, immersing viewers in small-town Alaska, where darkness overtakes the community — both figuratively and literally. Creator Issa López weaves an intriguing mystery that begins with the disappearance of a group of men at a remote research station and spirals out to something much bigger, smartly integrating supernatural and horror elements into the procedural genre to make something that feels fresh and original. Through her story, López calls attention to underreported topics like the shockingly high rate of murdered Indigenous women and environmentalism, but the show never feels preachy or anything less than wholly entertaining.

I’d be remiss not to mention what makes the show work: the central relationship between detective Liz Danvers (Jodie Foster) and Evangeline Navarro (Kali Reis). Both of their roles require immense range, and they expertly let moments of vulnerability flicker through their tough facades. Their rich enemies-to-reluctant-partners dynamic is a rare treat, with Foster turning in a captivating performance that reminds us why she’s considered a living legend and Reis’ equally nuanced work proving that she’s a rising star to watch. – Taylor Gates

Watch on Max

Under the Bridge

Anything that has the great Lily Gladstone in it is an automatic must-see, but Under the Bridge also proved to have plenty of sharp writing as well as strong performances from its ensemble that made it stand apart from the many lesser true crime series out there. It not only managed to sidestep many of the tropes and trappings that we’ve come to expect from this often regressive genre, but it managed to challenge them by asking deeper questions about the nature of justice in a world that doesn’t value those who are often most vulnerable. It’s a tough balance to strike, but strike it this series did in haunting fashion. In the center, Gladstone once again brought the grace and presence only she can to make it all that much more profound. — Chase Hutchinson

Watch on Hulu

X-Men ’97

There is no question that X-Men ‘97 is one of the best series of 2024. With its premiere in March, it quickly garnered critical acclaim from critics as well as the fans who were tuning in to relive the glory days of X-Men: The Animated Series. Marvel returned to its roots with this nostalgia-filled blast from the past, and it paid off. X-Men ‘97 picks up right where fans were left in 1997 when the series came to an unceremonious end. It smartly builds upon the plots and character arcs that were left without closure, all while pulling from the comics to create unforgettable storylines that not only update and modernize the story but are still being talked about.

One of the most surprising aspects of the series was the unexpected love triangle between Rogue (Lenore Zann), her Cajun not-quite-boyfriend Remy Lebeau (A. J. LoCascio), and her former flame Erik Lehnsherr (Matthew Waterson), paying off a beloved dynamic from the comics that has never made it to the big (or small) screen before. But it wasn’t just this love triangle that set tongues waggin’. X-Men ’97 fully embraced the soap opera quality of the franchise and committed to the Scott/Jean/Logan love triangle that everyone has loved to play with. In an era where the MCU has been devoid of major romantic arcs and failed to follow through with undeniable chemistry, X-Men ’97 delivered in ways that fans simply weren’t expecting, and it can only go up from here. For that alone, X-Men ’97 is one of the absolute best series to grace our small screens in 2024. — Maggie Lovitt

Watch on Disney+