2024 in review: The best TV series of 2024

Teaming again with Michael Schur ( The Good Place), Ted Danson may have found his next hit. From Netflix, Danson's Charles is a retired widower who answers an advertisement for an assistant to go undercover at a retirement community to help solve the case of some missing jewelry. And, to no surprise, Charles also finds himself finding the companionship that's been missing in his life. In addition to Danson's strong performance, fellow acting veteran Sally Struthers is quite fun to watch.

Four seasons in, Abbott Elementary remains the gold standard for network television situational comedies at the moment. In fact, it can be argued that the ABC hit is getting better with age. As usual, the show is driven by its stellar cast. Quinta Brunson, Janelle James, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Tyler James Williams have all received Primetime Emmy Award nominations for their work on the show. Brunson and the veteran Ralph have taken home Emmy victories. We also like what we see from Janine (Brunson) and Gregory (Williams).

There were fans -- and some critics -- who weren't too keen on Season Three of this Hulu favorite that continues to rack up the awards. Then again, the first two seasons are the stuff from which streaming legends are made. However, the tension and pressure are as high as ever for Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) and Co. However, 2024's Season Three should be remembered for some of the show's best individual performances, notably from Liza Colón-Zayas ("Napkins") and Abby Elliott and Jamie Lee Curtis ("Ice Chips").

Bridgerton's short but impactful third season was certainly impactful. And, it was the season, that arguably, Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) showed her maturity, and Coughlin able to essentially carry the season at times. Shunning her wallflower status, her crush for Colin (Luke Newton) was taken to new and intensely emotional heights -- and steamy at that. It's another reason why the massively popular Netflix series has been a must-see for so many.

For those unfamiliar with this Carrie Preston character from The Good Wife (2009-16) and The Good Fight (2017-22), Elsbeth Tascioni delivered some memorable, though often brief, appearances on both shows a quirky, comically inquisitive attorney. Two years after The Good Fight ended, Elsbeth got her own show on CBS, though this time she turned her legal knowledge into a career as a de facto detective — now living in New York.  The first season was a hit, and with guest stars like Nathan Lane, Vanessa Williams, and Laurie Metcalf featured during Season Two, the series could very well end up being bigger than the other two shows. 

The first of two series on this list starring breakout 2024 star Ella Purnell. In this screen adaption, from Amazon Prime Video, of the popular post-apocalyptic role-playing game , a resource war ensues following the Great War of 2077, a nuclear battle between the U.S. and China. Purnell's Lucy MacLean is the series protagonist. However, the series star remains Cooper Howard, a former actor-turned-mutated ghoul and bounty hunter. That character earned Walton Goggins a Primetime Emmy nomination. 

For many, there is never enough Dune to be seen. It was a big year for the franchise, and this HBO series might be the best of that specific lot for 2024. A prequel to the recent Dune and Dune: Part Two films, Dune: Prophecy is a well-made series on the backstory origin of the almighty Bene Gesserit. Now, for those unfamiliar with the two noted Dune films, it might be tough to follow, so some advanced franchise preparation is needed to fully understand the story.

The nine-episode Season Three of Hacks came roaring back and proved that the popular Max comedy-drama is still going strong after what many thought was a middling second campaign. Of course, Hacks continues to be fueled by the on-screen chemistry between Deborah (Jean Smart) and Ava (Hannah Einbinder), which was again on display in 2024. Let's hope there's more fuel in the collective tank for the series going forward. 

Kaitlin Olson made a name for herself through  It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and now she gets another crack at leading her own series with this ABC crime drama which debuted in 2024 -- that also boasts numerous funny moments. He character, Morgan, is a highly intelligent single mother of three who works as a cleaning lady for the LAPD. She eventually earns a consulting job with the department after involuntarily helping with various investigations, which proves her worth even more. Though the show still has the second half of its initial season to go, it's off to a strong start.

Perhaps it's no longer fair to say that Industry is a poor man's (or family's) version of Succession. If 2024's Season Three of the HBO drama might be the most in-depth that the series has offered, especially in terms of deeper character analysis. Yes, the cutthroat world of high finance is on full display, but in 2024, viewers seem to really understand the pressures the likes of Yasmin (Marisa Abela) and Harper (Myha'la Herrold) tick.

One of the biggest stories of the Fall 2024 network television season is Kathy Bates' presence in primetime. Sure, Bates spent time on The Office, but she's currently starring as a retired lawyer who gets back in the game by earning a job at a law firm that she believes indirectly contributed to her daughter's death. Knowing her late daughter and surviving grandson were fans of the classic Andy Griffith sitcom Matlock, Madeline takes on the identity of "Matty" Matlock, to infiltrate the firm and get answers. This "take" on the Matlock name is entertaining, while co-stars Skye P. Marshall and Jason Ritter have also been impressive.

Donald Glover created and co-stars in this Amazon Prime Video spy series that offers a twist on the popular 2005 movie of the same name but featured Brad Pitt  and Angelina Jolie. In this case, Glover's Michael (John Smith) and Alana (Jane Smith), played by Maya Erskine, are spies posing undercover as a married couple. With quick and charming dialogue mixed with a healthy dose of action and intrigue,  this version of Mr. & Mrs. Smith is off to a strong start. 

Kristen Bell and Adam Brody (yes, from The O.C.) are delightfully entertaining and charming as a rather odd couple in the Netflix hit. Brody's Noah is a modern and contemporary rabbi who begins a relationship with agnostic, outspoken sex/dating podcaster Joanne, played by Bell. While each earned a Golden Globe nomination, Timothy Simons, Justine Lupe and Jackie Thon are quite hilarious in their supporting roles. 

While some critics think Only Murders in the Building  has played itself out through four seasons or relies on too many A-list guest stars, the fact remains that Martin Short and Steve Martin continue to ingratiate themselves with a younger generation of streaming fans. Thanks, of course, to contemporary co-star Selena Gomez. Plus, Season Four kicks off with plenty of fun, as the trio learns  their popular true crime podcast could be made into a movie starring fictionalized of real life stars Eugene Levy,  Zach Galifianakis, and   Eva Longoria.

It seems the consensus on the debut 2024 season of Rivals is that it's nothing but a good time. For the viewers, it also seems the cast of this witty comedy about wealthy 1980s British rivals Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell), the bratty womanizer, and ruthless television big wig Tony, Lord Baddingham (David Tennant), is enjoying the moment, as well. The Disney+/Hulu series drew rave reviews and was already picked up for a second season.

Whitney (Alyah Chanelle Scott), Kimberly (Pauline Chalamet), Bela (Amrit Kaur) and Leighton (Reneé Rapp) are back for their sophomore year at Essex College. And, why each seems to be a personal and academic crossroads, the brilliance, humor and genuineness of this exceptional Max comedy-drama, created by Mindy Kaling & Justin Noble, has not lost any luster. The girls are still hilariously twisted and insecure, yet wonderfully socially expressive. Just what we expect from one of the most under-streamed series available. 

This more contemporary version of the Shōgun novel and highly celebrated 1980 miniseries debuted on Hulu in February and continues to draw raves. There are many critics who have hailed it as the best streaming fare of the year. And why not, the series won a combined 18 Primetime and Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards in 2024, including Outstanding Drama Series and acting honors for stars Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai. 

The only real knock on Somebody Somewhere is that it ended after three seasons. However, we're glad Sam (Bridget Everett) finally generated some self-confidence and self-love for her soul, as well as perhaps finally coming to grips with her sister's death. Meanwhile, Jeff Hiller's Joel, who was trying to balance a new, serious relationship with his special friendship with Everett's Sam, truly came into his own in 2024's third and final season. And perhaps the funniest character this year was Trica (Mary Catherine Garrison), who hilariously found professional success amid her love life falling apart.

We noted Ella Purnell's lauded work in Fallout; however, she's truly brilliant in the little-known, at least in the U.S., Sweetpea. The British dark comedy series is probably off the radar of many streamers since it's running in the United Kingdom. However, Purnell's Rhiannon Lewis, a disgruntled secretary who seeks silent vengeance on those who have wronged her -- past and present -- is thoroughly entertaining. She is quite likable and relatable despite her psychotic thoughts.

Ever since Tracker premiered on CBS following the Super Bowl in early 2024, this creative,  fresh drama has continued to deliver without much consistent fanfare. Lead Justin Hartley has also drawn rave reviews. His Colter Shaw is one mysterious character. The son of a survivalist who leads a team that helps find missing persons while earning the reward money associated with said cases. While Colter is resourceful in just about any environment, his usual past makes for one highly interesting and intriguing character.