Best Of 2024: Top 10 Series Of The Year
I did publish the video a while back. If you’ve been following my Small Screen Diaries, these really shouldn’t come as much surprise. Plus, every show represented here at least was either on my list of the Best Performances or Ensembles. But, this is a Top 25. Every show is available with audio description, and below I had listed where I watch with audio description. It may not be the initial place of airing. This list will look different next year as it is very likely only 5 of them could return with new seasons in 2025. That blows open the door for huge shakeups next year.
25)- Bridgerton (Netflix)- A show that grows on me the more I watch it. I like it more with each passing season, and if I were to give out an Audio Description award this year for television, it would be to Bridgerton. This final spot was tough, because it meant for some really brutal cuts, but especially for Cobra Kai, which I’m a big fan, but this final season just doesn’t justify it.
24) Disclaimer (Apple Plus)- If you haven’t enjoyed what happens when Academy Award Winner Alfonso Cuaron teams up with Oscar Winner Cate Blanchett, Oscar Winner Kevin Kline, Oscar Nominee Sasha Baron Cohen, Oscar Nominee Oscar Nominee Kodi Smit-McPhee, and Oscar Nominee Lesley Manville, then what on earth are you waiting for? An Apple Plus free trial? There’s enough excellent content on the streamer that I hope people are at least turning it on once a year and binging. Disclaimer was excellent.
23) before (Apple Plus)- Released at almost the same time was this trippy horror mystery with Billy Crystal delivering a surprisingly effective dramatic performance. For those who loved Hugh Grant’s turn in Heretic, Crystal is as much a surprise in this limited.
22)Dead Boy Detectives (Netflix)- I wish this hadn’t been cancelled, but it is funny how even in the streaming age where we have ample shows being thrown at us all the time, somehow we still have these brilliant one-and-dones that deserved better. A spinoff of The Sandman, my hot take is… I liked this more.
21) Black Doves (Netflix)- Keira Knightley, Ben Whishaw, and Sarah Lancashire really surprised with this perfect holiday spy thriller which Netflix picked up for a second season. So very likely, this will be on this list in 2026.
20) the Completely Made Up Adventures Of Dick Turpin (Apple Plus)- I think someone needs to say it, and it should be me. Apple made a mistake reversing its renewal on this hilarious period comedy. I’m totally unfamiliar with the actors, but I was so taken by the charm, and the humor. I’ll miss this show.
19) Sweet Tooth (Netflix)- The final season of one of my favorite Netflix shows. It went out strong. I prefer Season 2, but I did like Season 3 a lot. Another one of my favorite shows was taken out back and shot in the head, as Umbrella Academy finished with a season so below its level, I understand those Game Of Thrones fans who want the final season reshot.
18) A gentleman In Moscow (Paramount Plus)- I adored Ewan McGregor’s limited. He rarely is challenged as an actor, but this is my favorite performance of his throughout his career. If you are a fan of Ewan, you owe it to yourself.
17) Laid (Peacock)- This absurd show had me giggling a lot. Critics didn’t like it, but I get this kind of thing. It was hard for me to leave Girls5Eva off this list, but after being cancelled a second time, I think it might be done. But, can we at least get a second season of Laid?
16) Agatha All Along (Disney Plus)- Wiccan. I was so happy for the return of Billy, and the introduction of a future Avenger. But, Kathryn Hahn is still fantastic, and the supporting witches, especially Patti Lupone, all blew me away.
14) Only Murders In The Building (Hulu)- Another strong season, another great cast. I don’t know who is doing Season 5, but I really really want Tom Hanks and Chevy Chase to appear. Those are my dreams for this show.
13) the Boys (Amazon)- I can’t believe this has only one season left. At least we have Gen V, and a spinoff for Soldier Boy. The franchise will continue. This season rubbed people the wrong way because they saw themselves as the villains, but The Boys has never pulled punches. It is always shocking, edgy, and exactly what you think it won’t say or do.
12) What We Do In The Shadows (Hulu)- Not including limited series in this statement, but I think What We Do In The Shadows wasn’t just the best series finale of the year, I think it is one of the best series finales of all time. I think this might be a top 10, right up there with “Sorry, we’re closed.” But, truthfully, even though they addressed it in the finale, last season made more sense to end on.
11) Baby Reindeer (Netflix)- The “moment” for 2024. The hot limited series that came out of nowhere and everyone just had to watch it. It helped launch the careers of Richard Gad and Jessica Gunning, and I think we are all better for it.
10) English Teacher (Hulu)- I didn’t know anything about this before it premiered, and I fell instantly in love. i think it will be a big player at the Emmys this year, and I’m grateful it got a second season.
10) The Bear (Hulu)- Didn’t love season 1. when Season 2 focused more on the ensemble, I fell in love. Season 3 is just as strong, even if the best episode of the series is still the fishes episode from Season 2. Jeremy Alyn White is now the least interesting character in his own show. And I approve.
9) Shrinking (Apple Plus)- Another show that Season 1 wasn’t my favorite. Sure, I loved Harrison Ford, and Luke Tieney, but they didn’t get Emmy nominations. season 2 was longer, tougher, and fleshed out the ensemble in truly engaging and interesting ways, to where there are now six or seven actors I think deserve nominations.
8) True Detective: Night Country (MAX)- My favorite iteration of the series. The leads were incredible, the story had me creeped out and on the edge. I loved this show, and I hope we get another bonkers season like this.
7) House Of The Dragon (MAX)- I actually liked Season 2 being drawn out, because it allowed for rich character development instead of rushed. Characters dying mean more if you know who they are. Lots of standout performances led this show to be my winner for Best Ensemble of 2024.It also has a Top 5 audio description track.
6) Squid Game (Netflix)- The only thing I disagreed on was that being a finale. Then, Netflix announced the third season will be the last, and Season 3 is slated to drop in June. This almost feels like how other shows release a part 1 and a part 2, but because of dates, we will get two seasons in competition at the Emmys the next two years.
5) Earth Abides (MGM Plus)- Man, I was so sad this turned out to be a limited series. I was so engaged in this cast, this story, and I could have gone on much longer. It just wasn’t on long enough, which is a good problem to have. It never overstayed its welcome.
4) Hacks (MAX)- the highest rated comedy on my list. I do love Hacks, and I hope that one day, we can figure out that someone other than Jean Smart deserves an Emmy.
3) Silo (Apple Plus)- I’m obsessed. there’s no way around it. I haven’t been this obsessed since The Walking Dead ended.
2) Shogun (Hulu) A surprise, to be sure, but I loved the rich history, the characters, and the brutality, all somehow made watchable by an audio description track that was too cheap to pay for more than one voice. That poor man read all the description, and every male and female voice. Unbelievable. When you are a massive hit nowadays, it is funny how quick that word “limited” goes away.
1) The Penguin (MAX)- I wish we’d get another season, but I also don’t. The second season would be without Cristin Miliotti, who was my pick for Performer Of The year. I hope she wins the Emmy. Yes, Colin is terrific, but he’s expanding on a role he already started. I had no idea Cristin Miliotti had this in her. No one has ever expected this much from her. The Penguin is one of the best shows I’ve seen this century so far. Like, it would make a top 25 shows since Jan 1, 2000. I think it is perfect.
