Yahoo Lifestyle 25 TV Shows That Were So Amazing, Brilliant, And Even Heartbreaking, It's What Made Them The Best Of 2024
There are a lot of great TV shows these days, and 2024 was filled with brilliant new ones, the endings of some beloved favorites, new seasons that just knocked it out of the park, and limited series we couldn't stop watching.
So, below are 25 TV shows that delivered amazing seasons in 2024. So much so, they're the very best of the year:
1.First, Shōgun
This was easily THE TV show of 2024, and the accolades the show and its actors have received speak for themselves. Anchored by award-winning performances by Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai, Shōgun was one of the most breathtaking shows I've personally watched in a long time. The attention to detail from the cast, costume designers, set decorators, director, and writers is something I have talked about all year because it's truly outstanding that the show was able to adapt James Clavell's novel in such a perfect way.
Also, Sawai better stay booked and busy after this one because I have thought about her performance, particularly in "Crimson Sky," for literal months.
In 2024, it felt like Interview with the Vampire finally began to get the recognition it deserved since Season 1 aired two years prior. Based on Anne Rice's The Vampire Chronicles, every single aspect of this show deserves to be celebrated, starting with the truly mesmerizing performances from Jacob Anderson and Sam Reid as Louis de Pointe du Lac and Lestat de Lioncourt, respectively.
There are not enough adjectives in the English language to properly express my deep love for the show, so I will leave you with this: If you are not watching Interview with the Vampire, you are missing out on one of the best TV shows in the last 10 years.
Baby Reindeer was THE limited series everyone should've watched this year. Based on a true story, the show was equal parts dark comedy and psychological thriller, as actor and writer Richard Gadd crafted one of the most can't-stop-watching TV shows of the year. Alongside Gadd, Jessica Gunning and Nava Mau deliver can't-miss performances as Martha and Teri, respectively.
All in all, this show had everything you want from a psychological limited series: a jaw-dropping storyline and a stellar cast of relatively unknown actors who should now be household names. Episode 3 of this show still makes me shiver because it's just that jaw-dropping.
4.Abbott Elementary
Every year, I think Abbott Elementary can't get any better, but somehow it does. Now into its fourth season, Quinta Brunson and company continue to create some of the funniest comedy episodes on TV right now while also delivering very poignant and heartfelt moments. Honestly, all the makings of what will likely land Abbott on the list of best comedy shows of all time when we look back on its success.
In Season 4, the show continues to showcase the supporting cast in such beautiful ways. From an episode centered on Ava being asked to deliver a speech at a conference to Melissa becoming obsessed with her classroom's new pet, Abbott Elementary was firing on all cylinders in 2024.
5.One Day
Every year, there is always one show that eviscerates me emotionally, and the 2024 winner for that award is the Netflix adaptation of One Day. Even though I've seen the 2011 film adaptation and knew the story, what Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall were able to achieve in this show was next-level. It made me forget that I knew exactly where the story would end as I fell deeply in love with their portrayals of Emma and Dex, respectively.
The type of natural chemistry Ambika and Leo had in One Day is rare, and it carried this show to one of the very best of the year.
WandaVision was one of the best shows of 2021, so it should come as no surprise that creator Jac Schaeffer and star Kathryn Hahn were once again able to deliver one of the best Marvel shows since. Hahn remains one of the most valuable assets the MCU has at its disposal right now, and letting her have fun, coupled with brilliant writing by Schaeffer and her team, is what made Agatha All Along such a success.
Alongside Hahn, Aubrey Plaza, Patti LuPone, Joe Locke, Sasheer Zamata, Debra Jo Rupp, and Ali Ahn round out a truly remarkable cast that should be praised for their moments of comedy, as well as their moments of heartbreak.
And what if I also said Hahn and Plaza had the best chemistry on TV in 2024, too.
7.The Penguin
If I had to sing the praises of one showrunner this year, it would be Lauren LeFranc. How she managed to give us this year's version of The Sopranos with DC and The Batman characters is a work of art, and everyone should sing her and the writers' praises.
Alongside a brilliantly plotted out season, Colin Farrell continues his memorable performance as Oz Cobb, aka The Penguin, that started with The Batman. And while Farrell is great, and his transformation into Oz's prosthetics is a feat, it's Cristin Milioti who walks on screen as Sofia and absolutely steals the entire show. Milioti gives one of my favorite performances of the year, particularly in the final three episodes of the season.
8.English Teacher
This was probably one of my favorite new TV shows from 2024. Brian Jordan Alvarez crafted such a hilarious series from start to finish, and he gave such a hilarious and warm performance as Evan Marquez, the English teacher at the center of this story. In a TV landscape filled with so many shows to choose from, English Teacher rose to the top for me as the show I couldn't help but recommend to everyone.
The show is refreshing, hilarious, and heartwarming. The quick wit from the entire cast, namely Alvarez, Jordan Firstman, and Stephanie Koenig, is one of the strongest assets that English Teacher has and I hope we get even more episodes.
9.Silo
Silo is hands down one of the best sci-fi shows on TV. Period. Led by a remarkable and mesmerizing performance by Rebecca Ferguson, no show has had the ability to surprise me the way that Silo does. I feel like for years, people have been chasing a show to fill the Lost hole, and I say look no further than this one. The show's ability to somehow feel large and grand while making its characters feel trapped is a testament to how well-crafted and engaging the story is.
With Season 2, the show dives deeper into the dystopian world set up in the first season, with every performance from this remarkably assembled cast just getting better and better week after week. Graham Yost's smart writing only helps elevate the mystery of Silo to new heights, and this is must-watch TV at its finest for me. You need to be watching, plain and simple.
10.Arcane
Arcane is hands down one of the most beautifully crafted TV series of all time. With a three-year wait between Season 1 and this year's final season, when Arcane finally returned, it proved once again why it is continuously hailed as an epic achievement for animation. While the show also ended in 2024, it left us with so many standout story moments that I will be talking about for the foreseeable future. Very few shows can deliver jaw-dropping action and sci-fi moments alongside some of the best character arcs, all within a two-season period. Arcane is just that special.
Led by award-worthy voice performances by Hailee Steinfeld and Ella Purnell, their work as Vi and Jinx should not go unnoticed when we talk about the mesmerizing performances they have delivered in their careers.
11.Hacks
Hacks has continuously been one of my favorite comedy series in recent years, and Season 3 is no exception. Not only is the comedy hysterical, with jokes flying so fast every episode and impeccable comedic timing on display from every member of this cast, but this season really got to showcase the incredible range that both Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder have.
In fact, several of the standout moments came from moments of pure drama between Smart and Einbinder, especially in the season finale. They continue to be so good together in every moment of this show and it's a testament to their incredible talent but also the writing from creators Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky.
12.X-Men '97
I never watched the original '90s animated series, so I had no preconceived notions going into this one, and oh my god, X-Men '97 really delivered one of the best superhero shows of the year. It's been a long time since we've seen these X-Men characters fighting together, and so the animated series throws us right into all the action, delivering not only moments of pure superhero bliss but also very nuanced character moments that genuinely made me cry.
The show manages to give Marvel fans exactly what they want while also delivering a refreshing take on these beloved characters and stories. Again, this is one of a few entries on this list where I just think animated shows and the voice actors involved deserve more praise because X-Men '97 genuinely delivered one of the most well-crafted shows of 2024.
13.Somebody Somewhere
If Schitt's Creek taught us anything, it's that people yearn for wholesome comedies. Somebody Somewhere is exactly that. Over the course of the show's run, which concluded this year with Season 3, this show has remained kind-hearted and funny until the very end. Bridget Everett deserves to be in the awards season conversation because what she has done portraying Sam is just astounding.
It's a shame that Somebody Somewhere will end its run being a pretty underrated series because it had such a universal story. Sam learns to trust others (and herself) as well as accept the love she doesn't thin she deserves. I think we can all learn that about ourselves, too.
14.Mr. & Mrs. Smith
Donald Glover and Maya Erskine's comedy is renowned in their own ways, so it was refreshingly smart to see them put their comedy into a spy series that you literally could not turn off. Their natural chemistry together is what made Mr. & Mrs. Smith a standout for me in 2024. The comedy came from the duo being, for lack of a better word, bad spies to start out, and then the real meat of the show came from seeing how Glover and Erskine's characters learn to work together despite it all. It was remarkable to see how much heart was actually at the center of this thriller, which is something I think is this show's strongest asset.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith also gifted us with an A-list group of guest stars ranging from Paul Dano to Michaela Coel to Sarah Paulson, which made each episode more exciting than the last.
15.High Potential
Okay, High Potential wins the award for my favorite new network drama of 2024. I simply cannot stop thinking about it. Starring Kaitlin Olson, the series centers on Morgan, a single mom with a high IQ who ends up landing a job helping the LAPD's major crimes division. It's everything I want in a procedural: engaging cases-of-the-week, a leading character who has her faults, but I can't help but love, impeccable chemistry between the core cast, and yes, I'm already spying on a hopeful slow-burn romance that will consume me. Also, Olson is so funny but also brings so much heart to the character of Morgan.
I think at the end of the day, TV fans crave a 22-episode show that they can turn on. It's why Grey's Anatomy, Suits, and so many others have stood the test of time. So this is me humbly requesting you check out High Potential and make it one of the next great network dramas we are talking about for years to come.
16.True Detective: Night Country
Just when I thought this impeccable anthology series was never going to come close to the magic that was in Season 1, writer Issa López emerged from the crowd and gifted us a TV masterclass with True Detective: Night Country. I think what made this season so special was the story but also the brilliant performances from Jodie Foster and Kali Reis, who just astound together on screen and make it so you can't stop watching them.
Having Foster take the lead in this season with such a complex character as Captain Liz Danvers was reminiscent of when Matthew McConaughey led Season 1. It was a leading character you couldn't help but root for and see their faults. It's what makes True Detective so enthralling to watch. Lopez gifts this anthology with a female-driven drama that made it one of the very best of 2024.
17.Slow Horses
Another show on this list where I feel like everyone is finally catching up to its brilliance. In 2024, the fourth season of this engaging and jaw-dropping British spy thriller aired, and it simply just keeps topping itself. Led by knockout performances from Gary Oldman and Jack Lowden, Slow Horses is a show I want to talk to everyone about.
This year, the show won a much-deserved Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series, which should tell you everything you need to know about how smart this show is. The twists and turns continue to leave me speechless even four seasons in. With a remarkable and captivating ensemble cast, Slow Horses is the best drama series you probably aren't watching.
18.Extraordinary
This is likely the most underrated entry on my best TV show list for 2024, but I can't help but sing the show's praises any chance I get. Created and written by Emma Morgan, the show has filled the Derry Girls–sized hole in my heart by gifting me another hilarious comedy series that makes me laugh out loud in every single episode.
Extraordinary is set in a world where everyone has superpowers — and I'm not talking typical powers like speed and strength but some of the most out-there powers you could possibly think of like summoning sea creatures — but the main character, Jen, is one of very few that doesn't have a superpower. This sets the stage for a hilarious exploration as Jen tries desperately to gain a superpower. Extraordinary is not only hysterical, but it also manages to explore grief in a very moving way. I cannot recommend this show enough.
Overall, I think animated TV shows deserve more love on lists like this, so I'm taking this time to give The Legend of Vox Machina its flowers for crafting such an outstanding third season. Based on the beloved Critical Role campaign, Season 3 hit the heart of Campaign One, and while it brilliantly adapted some of the best moments — Vex coming up from the bathtub will always be one of Laura Bailey's best improvised moments — it also managed to surprise devoted Critical Role fans like myself with some of the big swings it chose to take in this adaptation process.
What makes The Legend of Vox Machina so special is there can be massive moments, like huge fights with dragons, that make you remember you're watching an epic adventure, but then the show manages to slip in some of the most devastating scenes that remind you how human this story is at its core. I just truly love every second of this show.
I adore rom-coms. I think somewhere along the way, we've kind of lost the magic of what made movies like When Harry Met Sally... so extraordinary that it has stood the test of time. So, into a landscape where everyone seemingly just craves to watch two people fall in love came Nobody Wants This. The show did everything it needed to do to be one of the most talked about shows of 2024. It gave us an honest and refreshing story of what it's like to fall in love, plus an ensemble cast that was simply just enjoyable to watch together on screen. It aced the 2000s rom-com formula perfectly.
Notably, Kristen Bell and Adam Brody have gifted us so many memorable performances in their careers, so to watch their natural chemistry together shine in this show is truthfully what made it so special. Again, sometimes you just need a wholesome and fun escape while watching TV, and Erin Foster's Nobody Wants This gave it to us.
21.Industry
This was the year that everyone was seemingly trying to find a show to fill the Succession void, and Industry arrived with its third season and finally seemed to hit its stride. Yes, while the show is on its third season, it felt like it finally found its audience and delivered so many memorable TV moments this year. Industry went from being a good show to a truly must-watch one.
Alongside stellar performances by Marisa Abela and Myha'la Herrold, this season was a perfect example of why it's important to let shows last longer than a singular season. It takes a little while to set up storylines and see them come to fruition. It takes hard work to see relatively unknown actors finally hit their stride. Industry did all of this in 2024, and now I hope there is no sign of it stopping soon because it's just getting so incredibly good.
22.Ripley
I will literally watch Andrew Scott in anything, so to see him leave his mark on Tom Ripley was so intoxicating to watch. Ripley is not only another top-tier performance from Scott but also Dakota Fanning, who is simply fantastic as Marge Sherwood. It's probably one of my favorite limited series from Netflix overall.
While Scott and Fanning are both incredible, it's really creator Steven Zaillian's vision that makes Ripley a tour-de-force. From the writing to the directing, he had such a clear idea of how he wanted to present this story, and it was amazing to watch. On top of that, the choice to film the show in black-and-white with truly remarkable cinematography only helps elevate Ripley as one of the best shows of the year.
23.Fallout
Ella Purnell had a heck of a 2024. Between Fallout, Arcane, and Sweetpea, she was at the center of some of the buzziest shows of the year. Fallout surprised me, to say the least. I personally knew nothing about the games and was wondering if we really needed another video game adaptation. And, sure enough, Fallout made me realize we really did. The world is built so perfectly; the casting is exceptional, and it made me stay on the edge of my seat from start to finish.
Alongside Purnell, Walton Goggins is extraordinary as The Ghoul. His work on the show is some of his best, and that's saying something because the man churns out iconic performances in everything. With this only being Season 1, I can't wait to see how much bigger and better the show continues to get.
24.Bridgerton
Bridgerton had one of the biggest moments in 2024. With Season 3 centering on Colin and Penelope's romance, the show continued to be one of the most talked about. I mean, it's no surprise, because Shonda Rhimes and her team have been delivering viral TV moments for decades now.
Led by Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton, Bridgerton continued to give us steamy moments — need I remind you about the carriage — a press tour that had everyone talking and just a space to sit down and watch some romance on TV. If you weren't watching Bridgerton, it probably felt like you were missing out on a huge cultural conversation because, let's be honest, it's just fun to watch two characters, whose actors have impeccable chemistry, find love.
25.And finally, Percy Jackson and the Olympians
I picked up Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief in 2005 when it hit bookshelves, and it has remained one of my favorite book series of all time. So, the TV adaptation being as flawlessly executed as it was in Season 1 made my 10-year-old self happier than I can even possibly put into words right here. The show is not only a faithful adaptation, but it also managed to expand elements of the story perfectly. Like, a scene between Virginia Kull and Toby Stephens as Sally and Poseidon is one I still think about often.
From the casting of Walker Scobell, Leah Sava Jeffries, and Aryan Simhadri as Percy, Annabeth, and Grover to the writing to the grand scale of the show, everything finally came together perfectly to give book fans like me an adaptation that this beloved series so wholeheartedly deserves. Scobell, Jeffries, and Simhadri's chemistry is brilliant, and if this is what these young actors are able to achieve in Season 1, I cannot wait to see what happens if we're gifted with adaptations of all five original books. I will be seated.
We can't fit every show into one post, so what were YOUR favorite TV shows of 2024? Tell us in the comments below!
