Some might argue that so-called prestige TV has reached its peak and is now on a slow decline. That might not be entirely wrong, but it doesn’t feel entirely right either — at least for me. Ironically, as I’ve noticed in recent years (especially in 2024), most TV shows are no longer bound to traditional television — particularly for non-US viewers. I streamed every show I watched in 2024, and that says something. Maybe this is the future, and we’re already living in it.
The downside to all of this is, that I have to subscribe to multiple streaming services just to keep up with the shows I’m invested in the most. This might sound like a disclaimer, but it’s simply the reality. Prime Video’s lineup has been lackluster for most of the year, even in a year when they released some of their most anticipated shows, like Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Fallout. The Boys delivered a stopgap season to set up future chaos, and The Rings of Power felt like it was taking one step forward and two steps back.
Netflix, on the other hand, continued its hit-or-miss binge-fest with arguably the largest roster of the year. I reallyenjoyed Ripley, though I couldn’t quite finish it. Cobra Kai remained as entertaining as ever, but its finale has been stretched across three parts (and the third part isn’t coming until 2025). Apple TV+ had another year of lackluster marketing, leaving their best — and worst — shows to fly under the radar. Browsing through their catalog often felt like a frustrating guessing game.
HBO and Disney+ (bundled with Hulu in Indonesia) each had their own share of issues, though I won’t dwell on those too much here.
Maybe there are just too many shows out there, and they’re more accessible (yet also more expensive) than ever. Or maybe that’s a problem for 2025. Despite all this, I managed to put together a list of TV shows that helped me get through 2024. I won’t call these “the best” because I didn’t watch everything (well, actually, I did watch a lot, but I didn’t manage to finish most of them — that’s on me).
So, here’s my list of the TV shows I enjoyed the most in 2024.
08. True Detective: Night Country
To be frank, Night Country doesn’t deserve the hate and rage it has received from True Detective fans. Moving away from original creator Nic Pizzolatto might have been the show’s biggest gamble, but it paid off brilliantly. Issa López brings a fresh perspective to this grim detective saga while simultaneously bringing the series full circle. Traditionally, True Detective has been a sweaty, somber testament to machismo — with the first season cementing itself as one of the pinnacles of TV in the past decade. However, Night Country flips the script, offering a bleak reflection of that iconic debut. It trades the masculinity and oppressive heat for a female-driven narrative set against the cold, moody Alaskan wilderness.
Each episode unravels pieces of a story that drifts in and out of rationality, with Jodie Foster’s committed performance serving as a beacon. For a show many thought was on its last legs, Night Country not only breathes life into the franchise but elevates it, proving that risks can lead to brilliance.
07. Black Doves
Draped in the green and red of the Christmas season, Black Doves plunges us into a world of betrayal and whispers, saturated with the green of money and the red of blood. Keira Knightley stars as an undercover agent with a talent for knife work, while Ben Whishaw shines as her gay assassin sidekick. Sarah Lancashire rounds out the trio as their handler, navigating a high-stakes conflict with the potential to trigger global catastrophe, all set against the backdrop of London’s bustling streets.
Part espionage thriller, part intricate world-building exercise, Black Doves carries a subtle John Wick vibe while maintaining its own unique identity. The pacing is sharp, the twists are satisfying, and the mysteries linger just enough to pique curiosity with each new clue. Already renewed for a second season, the show’s future feels both promising and precarious — but for now, it’s a fresh and satisfying festive treat.
06. Pachinko
Faithful to its source material yet unafraid to take creative liberties, the second season of Pachinko builds beautifully on the aftermath of its brilliant first season. The split timelines amplify the resonance of generational trauma, crafting a narrative that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable.
Minha Kim’s transformation from the innocent young girl, Sunja, to a resourceful hustler is breathtaking, commanding the spotlight with poise and depth. Meanwhile, Jin Ha’s Solomon embodies generational trauma with poignant precision. To call the performances beautiful would be an understatement. Alongside the exquisite art direction and masterful writing, Pachinko continues to push the boundaries of television as a medium, delivering a true artistic modulation.
05. Say Nothing
The only thing Say Nothing approaches without restraint is its urgency to tell a timely story about a distraught country — torn apart by religious divisions, occupation, and mistrust. Based on Patrick Radden Keefe’s bestselling book about The Troubles in Ireland, this limited series is a gripping political thriller that pulls no punches. Brutal, unforgiving, yet brutally honest, it leaves no stone unturned.
If it were mere fiction, it might come across as an over-the-top thriller, almost too good (or, bluntly, too horrifying) to be true. People unite. People divide. They dedicate themselves to a greater good, kill in the name of freedom, make their mark in history through resilience and strife — and still find themselves on the wrong side of betrayal. But this isn’t fiction (even when each episode ends with disclaimers distancing a particular real-world politician from the events depicted), Say Nothing is rooted in the real accounts of the Price Sisters, the protagonists of this limited series. And, that makes it even more harrowing to ponder upon.
As radical as TV can get, Say Nothing is challenging at every turn, making its raw storytelling worth every minute.
One Day
This is the same story that Lone Scherfig adapted into a 2011 film starring Anne Hathaway. While that adaptation of David Nicholls’ novel (with Nicholls himself penning the screenplay) was laudable, it often felt rushed and jarring — lacking the emotional weight and sense of time that should have been at its heart. Still, the film had its fair share of bonafide names and star power.
Netflix’s adaptation, however, takes a different approach. Stripping away the Hollywood gloss, it focuses instead on thoughtful writing to develop two relatable, root-worthy protagonists while capturing the passage of time more poignantly and in line with the characters’ development. This marks the first major role for Ambika Mod, who portrays Emma (Hathaway’s character in the film), and a significant leap for Leo Woodall, fresh off the second season of The White Lotus. Together, they bring a grounded authenticity to the rom-com formula and encrypt a passionate gospel in the characters’ body language.
As a fan of the Normal People adaptation, it’s easy to fall for the quiet charm of this swooning story, even when the vibrant color palettes sometimes feel at odds with the plot’s melancholic undertone. One Day remains a heartfelt (or heartrending?) narrative for those who still believe in the magic of romantic comedies.
The Bear
The third season of The Bear isn’t as intense or captivating as the first two, though, in hindsight, it remains a compelling story from start to finish. The key difference lies in how the show redistributes the tension and volatility that have become synonymous with the show. Gone is the ever-present sense of impending urgency that, in previous seasons, drove the characters to the brink of meltdown.
Instead, this season shifts focus, digging deeper into the crew’s psyche, their relationships with one another, and the history of the place where it all began. It also sheds light on backstories that add emotional depth to the narrative. At times, it feels as though the show is taking a step back — a deliberate calm before the storm. However, this isn’t working like a gap-year kind of season; the slower pace feels purposeful, laying the groundwork for the inevitable turmoils ahead.
Some episodes play like slice-of-life dramas, dissecting the lives of everyone around the titular restaurant. Others take a downright experimental turn, particularly the first episode, which dives deep into Carmy’s psyche. Yet, amid this introspection, the season delivers some of the show’s finest episodes to date. Napkins, directed by series star Ayo Edebiri, is a standout — a brilliantly heartfelt walk down memory lane featuring the show’s best supporting character, Tina (Liza Colón-Zayas). And then there’s Forever, the excruciating yet liberating finale that ties it all together with emotive retrospects.
02. Baby Reindeer
Baby Reindeer serves as a darkly funny yet harrowing medium for comedian Richard Gadd to confront his trauma of being stalked and harassed while grappling with his role in the ordeal. As I mentioned in the post for the show, it’s like catching a heat-seeking missile bare-handed — intense but not without its allure.
Gadd makes a surrogate for himself in this show — reliving the traumatic past and turning it into a candid, comprehensive story while starring in it. Blending fictionalized autobiography with raw honesty, the series is as darkly humorous as Fleabag and provocative as I May Destroy You. Its seven episodes deliver an emotional rollercoaster, captivating yet difficult to digest in a single sitting.
01. Shogun
The latest adaptation of James Clavell’s Shōgun isn’t just a redux of NBC’s 1985 version. It reinterprets the source material for modern audiences, offering greater cultural sensitivity and depth. The show delivers more intimate, meaningful interactions between characters while preserving the grandeur and big-budget spectacle of its massive production.
This new rendition centers on the traditional Japanese concept of the three hearts. According to this belief, every man has three hearts: the first in the mouth, visible to the world; the second in the chest shared only with friends or close allies; and the third, a secret heart, buried deep where no other living man can find it. To survive in an unforgiving world, one must keep this secret heart hidden. What the “heart” represents—whether feelings, ambition, or something else—remains ambiguous, embodying the story’s virtue without dictating answers.
This concept shapes the power dynamics between the show’s compelling characters. Shōgun avoids creating heroes or villains to root for or despise entirely, instead presenting layered personalities. Hiroyuki Sanada delivers a standout performance, while Anna Sawai adds depth with every nuance. The combination of meticulous writing, outstanding acting, and emotional sensitivity leaves a lasting impression that will linger long after the show ends.
And those are the TV shows that got me through 2024 with at least a glimpse of hope. For a more concise wrap-up, visit my Instagram post.
