New TV Series 2024: The Shows That Still Hold Up
New TV Series 2024: The Shows That Still Hold Up
The top new TV series of 2024 include Shōgun (FX/Hulu), Baby Reindeer (Netflix), X-Men '97 (Disney+), Fallout (Prime Video), and The Sympathizer (Max). These critically acclaimed debuts earned Metascores above 85 and dominated 2024 award seasons, with Shōgun winning 18 Emmys including Outstanding Drama Series-the first non-English program to achieve this honor.
Top 10 Best-New TV Series of 2024 by Critical Score
Metacritic's official ranking identifies these highest-rated first-year series based on professional critic reviews (0-100 scale) as of December 19, 2024:
| Rank | Show Title | Platform | Metascore | Episodes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baby Reindeer | Netflix | 80 | 7 |
| 2 | Shōgun | Hulu | 85 | 10 |
| 3 | The Sympathizer | Max | 71 | 7 |
| 4 | Fallout | Prime Video | 95 | 8 |
| 5 | X-Men '97 | Disney+ | 91 | 10 |
| 6 | Say Nothing | Hulu | 87 | 9 |
| 7 | English Teacher | Hulu | 83 | 8 |
| 8 | One Day | Netflix | 86 | 14 |
| 9 | Black Doves | Netflix | 78 | 6 |
| 10 | Penelope | Netflix | 76 | 8 |
Must-Watch Dramas That Defined 2024
Shōgun stands as the epic historical drama of the year, set in feudal Japan during 1600's brewing civil war. Hiroyuki Sanada, Cosmo Jarvis, and Anna Sawai deliver career-defining performances in FX's adaptation that outdid Game of Thrones for many critics. The series led all 2024 programs with 25 Emmy nominations and made history as the first non-English-language program to win Outstanding Drama Series.
The Sympathizer offers a cultural satire and espionage thriller adapted from Viet Thanh Nguyen's 2015 Pulitzer-winning novel. Park Chan-wook directs Robert Downey Jr. in multiple roles as a half-Vietnamese, half-French communist spy during the Vietnam War's closing days. Sandra Oh co-stars in this fearless HBO original that Collider called "a future television classic."
Say Nothing traces true stories of IRA members across four decades of Northern Ireland's Troubles in just nine episodes. Based on Patrick Radden Keefe's nonfiction bestseller, this Hulu limited series stars Lola Petticrew and Anthony Boyle. The Washington Post called its achievement "astonishing" for delivering a survey of the Troubles, a true-crime case, and a tragedy without trivializing suffering.
Comedies and Limited Series Worth Binging
- Baby Reindeer (Netflix): Scottish comedian Richard Gadd adapts his own one-man stage play about real-life stalking events. Jessica Gunning co-stars as Martha, who relentlessly stalks struggling comedian Donny Dunn. The series won 6 Emmys including Outstanding Limited Series.
- English Teacher (Hulu): Brian Jordan Alvarez's workplace comedy centers on Austin high school teachers. Time called it "easily the year's best new sitcom" for balancing funny character beats with timely observations from the politicized realm of public education.
- Black Doves (Netflix): Keira Knightley plays Helen Webb, wife of British defense secretary whose secret spy life is jeopardized after her lover's assassination. Ben Whishaw co-stars in this well-executed spy thriller with humor already greenlit for season 2.
- Ren Faire (Max): The Safdie brothers' comedic docuseries follows employees at the world's largest Renaissance festival vying to succeed 86-year-old "King George" after 50 years.
Animated Series and Genre Standouts
- X-Men '97 (Disney+): A revival of Fox's 1990s cartoon picking up where the original ended in 1997 with Professor X's death. Original voice cast returns, and season 2 is already greenlit. Collider calls it "quite possibly the best animated series to come from Marvel".
- Fallout (Prime Video): A24's seven-part adaptation offers post-apocalyptic action for newcomers and longtime game fans. Ella Purnell and Kyle MacLachlan star in this adaptation that feels like a "true extension of the games".
- Arcane: League of Legends Season 2 (Netflix): The final season provides a supremely satisfying capper to the epic saga with 100% Tomatometer score.
- Batman: Caped Crusader (Prime Video): Bruce Timm's long-awaited return to Batman mythos delivers hard-boiled retro treatment for Dark Knight fans.
How to Choose Based on Your Viewing Preferences
For historical epic lovers, Shōgun delivers cultural verisimilitude and visual sumptuousness enriched with feudal Japanese authenticity. Reality show fans seeking radical honesty should watch Jerrod Carmichael's intimate reality series documenting his coming out as a gay man, described as revelatory despite itsmessiness.
Documentary enthusiasts will find In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon fascinating, examining the legend's six-decade career while focusing on his newest album Seven Psalms. Sports fans should watch the four-part Simone Biles docuseries chronicling her redemption arc attempting to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games following her Tokyo 2020 withdrawal.
Key concerns and solutions for New Tv Series 2024 The Shows That Still Hold Up
What are the best new TV series of 2024?
The best new TV series of 2024 are Shōgun (FX/Hulu), Baby Reindeer (Netflix), Fallout (Prime Video), X-Men '97 (Disney+), and The Sympathizer (Max), based on Metacritic's official rankings and critical consensus.
Which 2024 TV show won the most Emmys?
Shōgun led all 2024 programs with 25 total Emmy nominations and a record-shattering 18 wins, including Outstanding Drama Series-making it the first non-English-language program to win that honor.
Are any 2024 new series based on true stories?
Yes. Baby Reindeer adapts Richard Gadd's real-life stalking experience, Say Nothing traces true IRA member stories across four decades of Northern Ireland's Troubles, and Nolly tells the true story of British TV presenter Noele Gordon's firing after 18 years on Crossroads.
Where can I stream the best 2024 TV shows?
Netflix streams Baby Reindeer, Black Doves, and One Day; Hulu offers Shōgun and Say Nothing; Max has The Sympathizer and English Teacher; Disney+ features X-Men '97; and Prime Video hosts Fallout and Batman: Caped Crusader.
Will any 2024 new series get season 2?
Yes. Shōgun is being turned into a three-season show, X-Men '97 already has season 2 greenlit, Black Doves received season 2 confirmation, and Rivals season 2 is planned though likely won't air until 2026.
