Top 10 TV Shows of 2024 (So Far)

Following up “Band of Brothers” and “The Pacific” is no easy feat. The former is considered one of the best shows ever made, a cinematic achievement that was ahead of its time in blurring the line between film and television. And “The Pacific” is certainly no slouch, either. Luckily, “Masters of the Air” was a success, even if it didn’t quite reach the heights of “Band of Brothers.” Starring a brilliant ensemble cast, the show follows the 100th Bomb Group and their harrowing adventures in World War II. The show’s production design was suitably outstanding, and you can’t go wrong with stars like Austin Butler and Barry Keoghan leading the way.

It’s probably safe to say that Netflix is winning the streaming wars, and it’s not difficult to see why. The network has something for everyone, including black and white prestige dramas about charming con men. “Ripley” is the first series adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s seminal crime novel “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” which had previously been made into a movie starring Matt Damon. But now it’s Andrew Scott’s turn as the titular antihero, and what a magnificent turn it is. Scott disappears into the role, and the sumptuous black and white photography provides plenty of eye candy. It’s a modern noir masterpiece, harkening back to the classics with enough technical skill to include itself among them.

We return to the second World War for this acclaimed Hulu drama. “We Were the Lucky Ones” stars Joey King and Logan Lerman and is based on the book by Georgia Hunter, who was inspired by her family’s experiences during the period. It follows the Kurc family, persecuted Polish Jews who find themselves running, hiding, and surviving during the Holocaust. It certainly doesn’t make for easy viewing, but the show is impeccably made, with an outstanding ensemble cast and mesmerizing production design. The story it tells also deftly mixes the tragic with the hopeful, depicting a touching and life-affirming story in the midst of extreme sorrow.

HBO makes its first appearance on the list with “The Sympathizer,” a black comedy based on the Pulitzer-winning novel from Viet Thanh Nguyen. With a unique mix of genres, the story follows the Captain, a North Vietnamese spy who infiltrates a community of South Vietnamese refugees. The show is brilliantly structured and edited, and it beautifully adapts the source material, however ambitious it may be. The cast is also superb, with Hoa Xuande making a great leading man and Robert Downey Jr. being unrecognizable in multiple villain roles. And finally, “The Sympathizer” serves as a turning point for Vietnamese representation in Hollywood, even though it is currently banned in communist Vietnam.

Donald Glover and director Hiro Murai reunite on “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” an Amazon drama loosely based on the 2005 movie starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. The series takes the general concept of the film and expands it, following the titular characters, their ever-changing relationship, and their thrilling adventures around the globe. The series has a nice variety to it, with an episodic nature that allows for numerous fun stories and stunning locales. But there’s also a grander narrative at work, as the twists and turns of the couple’s relationship build towards an inevitable confrontation. And come on, you can never get enough of Donald Glover.

Preying on an all-too common fear, “Baby Reindeer” follows Donny Dunn, a bartender and aspiring comedian who becomes the target of stalker Martha Scott. It’s a harrowing story made even scarier by the fact that it’s true. Yep, the show is loosely based on the real experiences of showrunner Richard Gadd, who fictionalized himself in the form of Donny. “Baby Reindeer” is both darkly comedic and unbearably tense, offering up a deft blending of genres and keeping its viewers utterly captivated. We don’t know it managed to squeeze so many laughs out of such difficult subject matter, but it did!

“Game of Thrones” showrunners David Benioff and D. B. Weiss are no strangers to book-to-screen adaptations. And together with Alexander Woo, they’ve done a compelling job so far of adapting Liu Civin’s novel “The Three-Body Problem” - although with a lot more changes than the 2023 Chinese adaptation. This is hard science fiction, featuring plenty of complex philosophical ideas and lessons in theoretical physics. It’s heady stuff, but Weiss, Benioff, and Woo handle it with surprising aplomb. The show is often difficult, but it’s also a ton of fun and is made with an impressive amount of technical skill. Heart, excitement, intellectual stimulation - “3 Body Problem” has it all. Let’s hope they keep up the quality through every season!

Some people doubted Amazon, but those doubts can be put to rest. “Fallout” is based on the popular RPG series of the same name - not an adaptation per se, but an original story that takes place within the same continuity. The series looks magnificent, with Amazon putting in the bottle caps necessary to depict a hellish, post-apocalyptic California. The cast is also terrific, with each character embodying a different playstyle and bringing something unique to the series, whether it be violence, adorable naivety, technical ingenuity, or that awesome power armor. It’s fun, funny, mysterious, brutal - it’s everything the games are, and we’re thrilled that the adaptation turned out so well.

While technically a revival of “The Animated Series,” “X-Men ‘97” is different enough in tone and style to be considered its own show. Picking up where that beloved show left off, “X-Men ‘97” continues the adventures of the titular group and sees a number of cast members returning. The show beautifully blends the old with the new, with the vintage 2D animation capturing that nostalgic memory of sitting in front of a fuzzy TV on Saturday mornings with a bowl of cereal. But it also contains some great writing, a surprisingly mature tone, and many thoughtful themes about oppression and persecution. The ‘90s kids grew up, and the show grew up with them.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“One Day” (2024)
A Heart-Throbbingly Romantic Show About a Working Class Girl & a Rich Guy

“Elsbeth” (2024-)
A Different Kind of Detective Show Following the “Howcatchem” Format

“Mary & George” (2024)
Chronicles the Romantic Affair Between James VI & I & George Villiers

“Manhunt” (2024)
A Historical Drama Following Edwin Stanton As He Hunts Down John Wilkes Booth


“The Curse” (2023-)
Only Two Episodes Aired in 2024, But What Episodes They Were!

And here we come to the best new show of 2024, a thrilling adaptation of James Clavell’s historic novel. After English sailor John Blackthorne washes up on the shores of Japan, he soon finds himself embroiled in a deadly struggle for power between the country’s leaders. The ensemble cast is suitably terrific, and the stellar production design brings 17th century Japan to our 21st century screens. With an expansive story filled with multiple characters, locales, and intertwining storylines, it’s easy to see why “Shogun” has received such universal praise. Whether you’re familiar with the novel or not, “Shogun” is must-watch TV.


Is there another show that we missed? Let us know in the comments below!