In recent years,television has become more engaging and ambitious than ever,even if some of the best contributions to the small screen have been overlooked. Though the era of peak TV might be over, innovations in technology have made exciting new visual styles possible, and the amount of fresh stories that are being brought to life by streamers and networks is impressive. While some series likeUnder the Bridgedraw their narratives from realities, while others likeAll The Light We Cannot Seeare based on books, they’re all worth watching from beginning to end.
From thebest TV shows that premiered in 2024to series that have been airing for a few seasons but flew under the radar, these shows deserve to be as popular as the biggest titles on TV. These projects come from a variety of genres, providing something for all audiences, no matter what you’re interested in. Unfortunately, a few of these shows didn’t find an audience fast enough and were canceled after just one season. However, they’re still hidden gems that make for exciting discoveries thanks to their fresh takes on classic narratives.
Netflix’s adaptation of Anthony Doerr’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel,All The Light We Cannot See, wasn’t a hit with critics, but this doesn’t mean it should be forgotten about.Though Doerr’s sparkling prose is difficult to bring to life onscreen,All The Light We Cannot Seeis a worthy iteration of the story and does justice to the original text. Aria Mia Loberti and Louis Hofmann costar as Marie-Laure and Werner. They are the dual protagonists of the narrative who experience the harrowing realities of World War II from opposite sides.
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In conversation with the harsh and brutal realities of war,All The Light We Cannot Seetakes this violent setting and intertwines it with the power of storytelling and finding humanity in small moments.All The Light We Cannot Seeis a visual feat, fully bringing the audience into the period and using this to further the story. There are intense moments throughoutAll The Light We Cannot See, butthe series balances this with the glimmers of hope that Doerr infuses into the text.
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A TV spinoff of one ofHumphrey Bogart’s best film noir movies,The Maltese Falcon,Monsieur Spadecatches up with the legendary Sam Spade at a different point in his life.The retired detective is living a quiet, anonymous life in France when a sudden, brutal murder forces him to dust off his old skills and get to work. Clive Owen takes on the role of Spade, and while it’s impossible to follow the likes of a performer like Bogart, Owen does a good job of making the character his own.
For fans of film noir and the aesthetics of the early espionage thrillers of the 1960s,Monsieur Spadeis sure to hit home, as it captures the best parts of both. While revivals and spinoffs are more popular than ever,Monsieur Spadefeels more fresh than a simple reboot.This Spade is older, wiser, and less brash than the hard-boiled man we met inThe Maltese Falcon,and this changes the way he and the series engage with this brand-new mystery.
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Max’s gorgeously animated and at-times terrifying sci-fi series,Scavengers Reign, doesn’t hold back from exposing the audience and characters to the reality of the untamed world. In the wake of a crash landing on a foreign planet, a group of survivors attempt to make the best out of their lives in their unknown environment and find a way to be rescued.Though beautiful and intriguing, the planet is harsh and uncaringabout the character’s wishes and desires, exposing them to a side of nature they’d forgotten.
WatchingScavengers Reignwill take you somewhere you’ve never been before and will explode the deepest and darkest parts of the human spirit along the way.
Scavengers Reignis one of thebest cartoons that are just as good as anime, showcasing where animation should be going in the 21st century. WatchingScavengers Reignwill take you somewhere you’ve never been before and will explode the deepest and darkest parts of the human spirit along the way. Though there’s only one season,Scavengers Reigndoesn’t need much more to get its point across or fully immerse the audience in the world.
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Lily Gladstone and Riley Keough make a compatible pair of investigators in Hulu’s true crime miniseriesUnder the Bridge. Though the true crime genre has been taking the world by storm in recent years,Under the Bridgedidn’t enjoy the explosive popularity that similar miniseries have received. However, this isn’t an indicator of quality, asUnder the Bridgeis a tense, atmospheric, and emotionally impactful retelling of a true story.
Though the mystery of the series' central murder and the tangled web of lies and betrayals are what will initially capture your attention, the relationship between Cam (Gladstone) and Rebecca (Keough) is surprisingly poignant. It’s a fine line to walk when tackling dark and violent events that took place in the real world without seeming exploitative or contrite. However,Under the Bridgeapproaches the material with grace and an awareness that the story being told is importantand deserves time to unfold.
Under the Bridge (2024)
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Blending and experimenting with multiple genres has been a feature of the TV landscape in recent years, but few shows have played with this as deftly asSugar. Colin Farrell leads the cast as John Sugar, a private investigator in the style of the classic noir PI, living and working in Los Angeles.Sun-drenched and mysterious,Sugarenjoys bringing elements of old Hollywood moviesand the decaying glamor of the idea of Los Angeles into the twisting narrative.
You might think you know whereSugaris going, but the series will astound you with its shocking narrative turn halfway through season 1.
You might think you know whereSugaris going, but the series will astound you with its shocking narrative turn halfway through season 1. It will be interesting to see whereSugarseason 2 takes our protagonist and how the unexpected plot of the first installment is expanded. Praised for its gorgeous visual language and the central performances,Sugaris a fun watch and tells a complete story without limiting the possibilities for the show’s next outing.
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School Spiritshas been growing in popularity since season 2 recently dropped, but this innovative supernatural teen drama deserves much more recognition. Starring Peyton List as Maddie, a high school student who wakes up one day to discover that she has died and is doomed to haunt the halls of her alma mater,School Spiritsis surprisingly emotional. As Maddie meets the other unfortunate ghosts in school,she attempts to piece together the mystery of her murder and find some peace.
School Spiritsseason 1 included some unforgettable twists and developments that shook the audience and characters to their core, and season 2 kept up this drama and intrigue. Despite being torn between the land of the living and the dead,Maddie is a relatable character the viewer has fun getting to know alongside the cast of characters in the real world and the afterlife.Balancing grief with humor and heart,School Spiritspunches above its weight.
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Anyone who was aware ofMy Lady Janeat the time of the romantic fantasy series premiere knows just how devastating the show’s cancelation was. Despite critical and audience acclaim, Prime Video didn’t renewMy Lady Janefor a second installment, even though there were plenty more avenues of the story to explore. A fantastical retelling of the life of the real Lady Jane Grey,My Lady JanefeaturesEmily Bader and Edward Bluemel as Jane Grey and her romantic interest Guildford Dudley, who make a compelling enemies-to-lovers couple.
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While it’s disappointing thatMy Lady Janewon’t be back for season 2, there’s still a lot to recommend about season 1, as the series delivers a satisfying conclusion for Jane and Guildford. However,it’s not just the romance that makesMy Lady Janeso fun and engaging,as Jane’s development as a leader and all the character’s growth throughout the season are well executed. Returning toMy Lady Janein the coming years will be a reminder of where fantasy should be going on television.
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After a somewhat rocky debut season,Mayfair Witchesseason 2 proved that this Southern Gothic fantasy series is finding its footingand is a series on the rise. After AMC’s success withInterview with the Vampire, the network adapted Rice’s additional series,Lives of the Mayfair Witches, starring Alexandra Daddario as Rowan, the protagonist. Beginning with Rowan’s discovery of her magical powers and family legacy,Mayfair Witchessees her dive headfirst into their world of mystical danger.
ThoughMayfair Witchesseason 3 is not yet confirmed, season 2 was gripping from beginning to end and paves the way for further explorations into Rowan’s future with the Mayfair family. The setting and style ofMayfair Witchesis one of the best parts of the series, asit takes the classic Southern Gothic aesthetic and weaves this into every corner of the show.Daddario does great work anchoring the series as Rowan, a woman who’s forced to grapple with life-changing events at every turn.
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One of the most innovative recent additions to Netflix’s original content,Adolescencetakes make of the classic elements of the crime genre and transforms them into something entirely new. Notable for its cinematography and visual style,each episode ofAdolescenceunfolds through one continuous take,with no edits or breaks in the action (viaVariety). This is an impressive feat and instantly sets the series apart from other recent thriller miniseries. Though this is a difficult style,Adolescenceuses the format to achieve a specific tone and atmosphere.
Though it isn’t always easy to watch,Adolescenceis a relevant project that will stand the test of time.
Adolescencehas a dark and interrogative story, as it chronicles the arrest of 13-year-old Jamie (Owen Cooper) after he’s suspected in connection with the murder of a classmate. In conversation with the indoctrination of young men into dangerous online spaces that promote violence and isolation,Adolescenceis a timely investigation into the way development and coming-of-age have changed in the internet age. Though it isn’t always easy to watch,Adolescenceis a relevant project that will stand the test of time.
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The emotionally gripping animated sci-fi seriesPantheononly ran for two seasons, but every moment of its episodes made an impact. Following the story of Maddie,a young girl who realizes the consciousness of her dead father has been uploaded to an illicit online cloud systemthat has been scanning people’s brains illegally,Pantheonis a wild ride. As Maddie delves further into the secrets of “Uploaded Intelligence,” she meets other people who hold the keys to unlocking the conspiracy.
Adult animated television has been having a heyday in recent years,with incredible projects likeInvincibleandCastlevaniamaking an impact within the genre space. However,Pantheonis just as compelling and arresting, blending elements of coming-of-age narratives with sci-fi and emotional realism. Maddie is a fantastic protagonist who makes it easy to spend time diving into the mysteries at the heart ofPantheon. Using its visuals to propel the story and engage the audience,Pantheondeserves a much bigger following.
