Photo Credit: FX
2024 was a year of standout television, with fresh takes on contemporary issues, historical dramas, and cultural commentaries. While many shows felt “mid” in execution, a select few stood out as groundbreaking or profoundly entertaining. Here’s a look at some of the year's best offerings across genres and platforms, blending originality, rich storytelling, and critical acclaim.
Breaking Boundaries in Comedy and Representation, Created by and starring Brian Jordan Alvarez, “English Teacher” on FX has been hailed as a bold sitcom tackling the complexities of post-COVID educational culture wars. The show strikes a balance between progressive humor and real emotional stakes in its portrayal of the trials an openly gay teacher faces amidst conservative politics in his suburban Texas school. It seamlessly incorporates Gen Z humor and issues, making it both a heartfelt and hilarious watch.
This year, HBO’s “Somebody Somewhere” was able to come to a remarkable close: a poignant comedy about community and individuality in small-town Kansas. Bridget Everett as Sam connected with audiences for her perfect blend of humor and heartfelt exploration of LGBTQ+ and small-town life.
Diving into Complex Histories and Cultures, FX’s “Shogun” is a new, deeper, and more culturally authentic take on the 1980 miniseries, putting a real spotlight on the power plays of feudal Japan. Moving beyond its predecessor, it added depth to the Japanese characters’ story and became one of the most engrossing epics of 2024.
HBO’s “My Brilliant Friend”, which concluded with its fourth season, continued to weave a compelling tale of friendship and resilience against the backdrop of mid-20th century Naples. Its final episodes remained faithful to Elena Ferrante’s novels, capturing the emotional intensity of its source material.
Dark Humor and Psychological Depth, The British series “Without Sin” featured Vicky McClure in a haunting performance of grief and redemption, while FX’s “Say Nothing” was a searing look at the Irish Troubles, mining moral ambiguity for gripping storytelling.
Closing Chapters with a Flourish, Shows like “Evil” (Paramount+) and “Reservation Dogs” (Hulu) ended on high notes. “Evil” kept its trend of combining supernatural elements with existential dread, ending on a note that was intellectually ambiguous. Meanwhile, “Reservation Dogs” wrapped its coming-of-age story with humor and depth, cementing its place as a groundbreaking exploration of Indigenous lives.
Global Perspectives and Unique Thrills, International hits like “A Shop for Killers” from South Korea and “The Lesson” from Israel proved global television was more relevant than ever. From high-octane thrillers to political dramas, these shows have brought new stories and cultural insight to international audiences.
2024 was kind of a mixed bag overall for television, but these shows proved that great performances and innovative storytelling can elevate it. Whether through historical revisionism, contemporary explorations, or even simple escapism, they raised the bar for what’s next in 2025.
