Top 5 Series of 2024

By starrymag | December 30, 2024

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

 

While Santa is making his own special list and checking it twice, I thought that I would make a short one that included my favorite shows from the 2024 season! While my original list of series might be of similar in length to Santa’s, I whittled mine down to five standouts that struck my fancy that I felt hit the mark the most for me. Feel free to let us know below which ones hit your top spots!

 

Some of the other selections that did not make the list but still deserve a name drop are “NCIS: Hawaii” (who still has a Save campaign going on), “Slow Horses,” “Lioness,” “Abbott Elementary,” “The Gilded Age” and “Only Murders in The Building.”

 

 

Bad Monkey

 

With a penchant for sarcasm and not an F to give, Andrew Yancey (Vince Vaughn) takes the law into his own hands – usually at his own detriment. “Bad Monkey” is a comedy drama that proves to be cheeky and full of suspense as much as it is schtick. Developed and executively produced by Bill Lawrence, this Apple+ series was a weekly must not miss for the twists and to see what troubles Yancey’s mouth and actions would wind him up in. Whether dragging his police department partner or current paramour, the county Medical Examiner (Natalie Martinez), into a certain danger; Yancey’s penchant for landing in disastrous situations gives the audience a rambunctious ride. Narrated by Tom Nowicki, the series prefaces viewers in episode one by telling us to be patient, and promising “it will all make sense eventually.” Putting the pieces of the puzzle together while also asking us to leap first with Yancey and figure it out later is one of this series specialties.

Watch On AppleTV

 

Courtesy of Apple TV+

 

Shrinking

 

Another Apple+ series involving Bill Lawrence, but this time as co-creator along with Jason Segel and Brett Goldstein! Season 2 of this hit show centered around therapy, grief, and the blurred boundaries within Jimmy’s (Segel) work and friendship environments with life as a father provides quite the walk on a tight rope. Wanting the best for his patients and using out of the box techniques to help them with their therapy, Jimmy struggles by getting tangled in his patient’s personal lives while maintaining professional decorum. This poignant show balances acerbic humor with relatable dysfunctional friendships and emotions. Plus, Harrison Ford’s chutzpah and a whole lot of Christa Miller’s surly snark should reel you in to watch. Heartbreak and healing collide in this cathartic series that leaves you lingering with a whole lot of self-reflection and plenty of endearing lessons on life.

Watch on AppleTV

 

Courtesy of Apple TV+

 

Shōgun

 

Powerful, riveting and compelling – this striking series showed off some of the highest caliber of acting from its extensive cast.  A thrilling and engaging series that focuses on feudal lords, every moment you watch feels like you are immersed within this historical world. Though most of the dialogue is in Japanese with subtitles, the series packs on the evocative and leaves a stunning awe in each episode’s wake from the dialogue, angst, aggression, and tension building drama. The ornate costumes, captivating cinematography, and the impressive production make it evident why “Shōgun” has received such well-deserved acclaim along with its dynamic cast. Hiroyuki Sanada as Lord Yoshii Toranaga provides a ferocious presence while Anna Sawai’s stoic hidden storm as dutiful Lady Mariko makes her a fierce force.

Watch FX on Hulu

 

Courtesy of FX

 

Dead Boy Detectives

 

Like most Netflix series these days, “Dead Boys Detectives” was a victim of the one and done plague. One fantastic season of spookiness, suspense, and two dead boys investigating mysteries for supernatural clientele with their clairvoyant bestie Crystal (Kassius Nelson) who so happens to be mentally stalked by her demon ex. Things are complicated enough as it is, until a powerful witch comes along and makes their corporeal existence even more challenging. This ragtag group provides representation through sharp clever writing, camaraderie, and a unique tether that seems to be tested episode after episode. The cases the group takes on provide plenty of thrilling intrigue and messy tie ups, all while the group tries to both confront and/or escape from their personal traumas. George Rexstrew and Jayden Revere provide a perfect pair for these ghost besties with hearts of heroes.

Watch on Netflix

 

 

English Teacher

 

TVs best comedy and it comes to you from FX via the brain of Brian Jordan Alvarez. Alvarez not only created the series, but also wrote, starred in and directed this hilarious and provocatively entertaining show.  “English Teacher” is a sitcom that is not afraid to show you the absurdity between both the teacher and student dynamics. Teachers are being hassled and held to certain expected standards by parents while having to make sure students comprehend the curriculum and meet performance expectations. Students with the height of technology like Chat AI that allows them to shortcut their homework and their rampant disinterest in learning while expecting to still pass their classes. The classroom chaos amplifies the humor where a caring and concerned charismatic English teacher in Texas is faced with apathetic students and overzealous parents while trying to have an impact both within and outside of the boundaries of teacher’s professional responsibilities. You will laugh, gasp, and wish you could watch more than the eight-episode stint that was given by FX.

FX on Hulu

 

Courtesy of FX

 

*The Loyal Pin

 

Special shoutout to the GL series “The Loyal Pin” as one of the best of 2024. YouTube is a prime space that Thailand’s entertainment industry really is taking great advantage of when it comes to GL/BL and LGBTQ content. The Loyal Pin featuring Sarocha Chankimha and Rebecca Patricia Armstrong takes place in 1950s Thailand and centers around a poignant touching love story through the lens of the royal class system. Sarocha and Rebecca’s impressive reverent portrayals of the devotion, love, and tribulations as Lady Pin and Princess Anil, their nuanced expressionism, and undeniable, palpable chemistry provided deeply meaningful LGBTQ representation that felt truly rewarding. Though the setting maybe be in the past, the themes of the series and many aspects of characters and the various relationships we see within the series resonate and remain remarkably relevantly relatable. Thai culture, products, commerce, and food were also highlighted through utilizing soft power during episodes. This provided the opportunity for the audience to learn about Thailand’s beautiful history, traditions, and landscape. The production, cinematography, and creative detailing by the talented director Kittisak Cheewasatjasakun are other significant elements of what helped to leave such an incredible lingering imprint on everyone who has watched “The Loyal Pin.”

Catch Sarocha Chankimha and Rebecca Patricia Armstrong portraying scientific rivals, and enemies to lovers, as Dr. Phinya Thananon and Dr. Busaya Methin in their upcoming new GL series slated for 2026 called Cranium.

You can watch all episodes of “The Loyal Pin” on the YouTube page for IdolFactory.

 

Courtesy of Idol Factory

 

The landscape of television production only continues to expand as new streaming services pop up and/or merge with other providers. You can Disney, Peacock, YouTube, Paramount, MGM, Apple or Freevee your way now through programs not just airing on currently on your series screen; but are also being solely shared online. The quality of content is becoming increasingly hard to keep up with because of all of the memberships you have to manage, but it’s well worth the dollars you spend because you don’t want to miss out on the bounty that might be here one minute and gone the next.