My Favourite TV Shows of 2024

As 2024 draws to a close, it’s time to once again reflect on the year of television we’ve had. For many of us, TV isn’t just a way to unwind after a long day; it’s a shared experience that brings friends and families together, sparks conversations, and even gives us those much-needed moments of escape. Whether you’re juggling work deadlines, school drop-offs, or the endless chaos of parenting, finding the right show to watch can feel like striking gold.

This year in my opinion has been top-heavy for memorable shows, while still providing something for everyone—from gripping dramas and laugh-out-loud comedies to shows that transport you to unknown worlds. I know how precious those rare moments of downtime can be. That’s why I’ve put together this list.

Whether you’re looking for something to binge solo after the kids are in bed or a series you can enjoy with your partner, these shows are sure to deliver. So grab your remote, and let’s dive into my favourite TV shows of 2024.

Just like last year, I will list in reverse order to try and build a little bit of suspense. Please do agree or disagree with me in the comments.

15. House of the Dragon S2 (HBO)

House of the Dragon’s first season was fine, but I think a lot of my dislike wasn’t truly fair. I wanted it to keep on trucking as Game of Thrones. It had parts, but it wasn’t grabbing me. Upon my rewatch before season 2 came out, I appreciated it more. That being said, season 2 was really enjoyable. There was the needed character build and the dragon battles were pretty epic. Apart from the storyline of Harrenhal, where Daemon confronts haunting visions of his past failures across multiple episodes, I was happy with what I saw until the finale which left us once again awaiting a big battle that will probably not happen until 2026.

14. Mayor of Kingstown S3 (Paramount Plus)

I would be quite happy if all I had to watch were Taylor Sheridan shows. While Mayor of Kingstown wasn’t as good as the first two seasons, I enjoyed being in that world again. Mike is a great character. I can’t tell if this was the final season or if there will be more. An added part of this season was the fact that when we were visiting Pittsburgh earlier in the year, we saw them filming the show. So now I pretty much look at Kingstown as Pittsburgh. I will admit the Russian mob storyline for me is getting tired, but like I said, I am a sucker for Taylor Sheridan’s universe and how it shows a raw portrayal of a town consumed by violence and moral compromise.

13. The Bear S2 (FX, Disney Plus)

The Bear was one of my most anticipated shows for the year. And that’s why maybe it fell down a few notches on the list of my faves. It was flying too close to the sun. Just like the perfect meal, sometimes it just doesn’t hit. I still really enjoyed season 3, but it had a lot to stand up against as the first two seasons were pretty close to perfect. Everything got a little too fancy. I have less interest in the workings of a fine dining restaurant compared to a chaotic diner. This season felt like a setup for the next season which is totally fine. I predict it will be back to being one of the hits of 2025.

12. Slow Horses S4 (Apple)

A common theme I am finding is the shows that have always been my favourite are having trouble wowing me anymore. That’s pretty standard. It’s hard to maintain a level of excellence after multiple seasons. Slow Horses fell into that category for me. I liked the show a lot, but it came and went without much impact. Slow Horses biggest win for me, is they are one of the few shows keeping a fast pace of turning out new seasons. You get to know the characters and not forget them. I enjoyed the focus on River Cartwright’s family secrets, culminating in a shocking revelation about his father, Frank Harkness, played by Hugo Weaving (The Matrix guy).

11. The Diplomat S2 (Netflix)

I should preface this with a quick bias. I could watch anything with Keri Russell. Thankfully for the most part she is always in amazing shows. The Diplomat is a well-written drama, that isn’t slick and that’s what I like about it. There is some comedy and everyday life mixed in to show how real people act and talk. It gives the show a more grounded vibe even though it’s a world 99% of us will never be in. The politics seems to be what would happen in the real world and I could watch endless episodes of it. The Diplomat is a compulsively watchable political thriller that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Also, the guy who plays the British Prime Minister is excellent.

10. Curb Your Enthusiasm S12 (HBO)

What can you say that hasn’t been said? Larry’s final season was everything you wanted it to be. Cringe. Smart. Very funny. The finale was a gold mine for Curb and Seinfeld fans. I will miss this show and that’s why it had to be on my list.

9. Paris Has Fallen S1 (Crave)

I don’t know anyone who has seen this show. It popped up on Crave in the fall and the only reason I gave it a chance was I liked the “Has Fallen” movie series. The show was mostly dubbed, but it was a hidden gem. For me, Sean Harris steals the show as Jacob Pearce. He was the ultimate bad guy with a story that you can feel would turn anyone against the establishment. Paris Has Fallen delivers exactly what it promises: thrilling entertainment with a touch of emotional depth set against the backdrop of Paris. Fans of the franchise will find it an enjoyable ride, even if it doesn’t quite reinvent the wheel.

8. Lionness S2 (Paramount Plus)

All I will say about season 2 of Lionness is, Nicole Kidman……wow. I wasn’t buying her in season 1 as much, but she was a standout for the latest installment of Taylor Sheridan’s show. This season’s plot wasn’t as nicely constructed as last time, but I still enjoyed every second. The show’s ability to mix raw emotion with gritty realism keeps it compelling, even when some plotlines feel slightly predictable. I could do with less of the husband/wife thing with Joe, but I get why it’s there. I also love how cool helicopters have become.

7. Presumed Innocent S1 (Apple)

I have heard many people compare this show to a paperback thriller you take to the beach. It’s not great, but it pulls you in hard and you don’t want to stop. This show is the definition of a binge-watch. Presumed Innocent had all the ingredients needed. The show balances courtroom tension with the unraveling of Rusty’s personal life, diving deep into themes of betrayal, obsession, and the search for truth. Every 10 minutes you are shifting to liking or hating Rusty, which only adds to the show. I do need to go back and watch the movie again.

6. English Teacher S1 (FX, Disney Plus)

This show came out of nowhere. As the sitcom as we know it slowly dies, this comedy gave me hope. It’s Abbot Elementary, but not for network TV. Easily the show I laughed at the most in 2024. The show doesn’t shy away from tackling timely issues like identity, politics, and generational clashes, but it does so with clever humor rather than heavy-handedness. This is a series that could have a really long run.

5. The Boys S4 (Amazon Prime)

I will always love The Boys. It doesn’t get critical acclaim, it doesn’t win awards, but it is such a good time. Homelander is one of the best characters on TV. This is one of the shows that still makes you gasp at what they do. And it’s not just shock for the sake of shock. The season finale also was an amazing setup for season 5, which will be the last for Butcher and his boys. Whenever that comes out, it will be epic and I can’t wait.

4. Mr. and Mrs. Smith S1 (Amazon Prime)

When I first saw the trailer for this show I just thought it would be a riff on the classic movie with Angelina and Brad. In fact I think the name actually does the show a disservice. Mr. and Mrs. Smith was the very early leader for show of the year in my opinion. The show’s unique tone, with its blend of absurdity and emotional depth, makes it stand out in the spy genre. While it doesn’t take itself too seriously, it still manages to explore themes of trust, partnership, and identity in clever ways. It also just looks cool as hell.

3. Industry S3 (HBO)

If you had told me after watching season 1 of Industry, that season 3 would be one of my fave TV shows of 2024, I would have not believed it. It was a show for young people. It was just a bunch of kids with big-money dreams doing drugs and having sex among their little friend circle. Then the show found its legs in season 2 and even more in the latest season. For you older Canadians, this is the new Traders. The show masterfully balances its frenetic pace with deeper character development, giving standout moments to secondary character Rishi’s spiraling gambling addiction in particular. That episode was hard to watch but in a great way. From the theme song to Ken Leung’s legendary performance as the “adult” in the room, Industry has everything you want in a TV show. It could have been higher on my list honestly.

2. Ripley (Netflix)

Do you like slow burns? Do you like knowing how it’s going to end but still loving the journey? Do you like black and white? Netflix’s Ripley offers all of that and more. Ripley is a gripping psychological drama that rewards patient viewers with its layered storytelling and haunting atmosphere. You will want to move to Europe. You will want to ride in tiny cabs. You won’t mind taking the stairs. The attention to detail and the cinematography are unmatched. As I have read, you can literally pause any scene, print it out, and put it on the wall as art. Have patience. Trust me, it’s good.

1. Shogun S1 (FX/Disney Plus)

It would be unfair to just call this Game of Thrones but in Japan. Shōgun provided fans with an immersive and emotionally gripping experience that’s both thrilling and thought-provoking. What I liked about it was it was set in a world I don’t know, and for the most part, they did not care about Americanizing it. Subtitles for one, were a huge turn-off for many. But once you get past that, the show has pacing and storytelling that takes you on a ride. It always felt like it was building up to something. Sometimes there was not the expected big fight, but then there was. Always keeping you guessing. Simply put it was the number one show I looked forward to each week. I only wish there were more episodes.

My friend Kevin’s Favourite TV Shows of 2024

1. Shogun

2. The Boys S4

3. Fallout

4. Lioness S2

5. The Penguin

6. The Agency

7. Yellowstone S5

8. Silo S2

9. True detective S4

10. Black Doves

What about you?

What about you? What were your favourite TV shows of 2024? I bet there are so many I missed or didn’t get to. Please share in the comments.