Am I addicted to television? Absolutely. Could I dominate a binge-watching competition? Without a doubt. With that in mind, selecting my favorite returning series of 2024 was a feat. I have so many favorite shows. How do I narrow it down? Well, I decided to focus on entertainment value, binge-worthy appeal, and the shows I enthusiastically recommended to friends and family.
So, let’s dive in! Here are my top picks for new shows in 2024!
Interview with the Vampire (AMC+)
My obsession with the AMC+ series Interview with the Vampire only grew with season 2. Jacob Anderson is exquisite as Louis. Getting to see him explore the world outside of New Orleans with Claudia (Delainey Hayles). I loved getting to see moments that were left out of the films, and even more expanded on from the books. The time change allows for an interesting twist of war the duo has to survive through. The season also explores the Theatres des Vampires in a way we haven’t seen before. In the first book, the majority of the characters are just there. In the series, we get to dive into the theater, Armand’s hands at events, and my new favorite character Santiago.
I was curious how they would keep Sam Reid’s spectacular interpretation of Lestat alive knowing we were leaving him in the swamp. The use of hallucinations (or are they) gave me everything I needed until the final 2 award-worthy episodes. The entire trial was horrific in the best way. Everyone’s performance is top-tier and award-worthy. Even Daniel Molloy (Eric Bogosian) reveling in the truth had me kicking and screaming.
Shrinking Season 2 (Apple TV+)
Apple TV+’s Shrinking has some of the best storytelling on television. Listening to Harrison Ford (Indiana Jones) talk about his experience on the show and fans’ reactions is everything you need to know. The story revolves around a family who is trying to process their grief. Jason Segel plays the father, Jimmy, who cannot keep it together and allows his grief to infiltrate the workplace. By the end of season 1, Segel and his daughter, Alice, are reconciling, and he’s patching up friendships, and his psychologist career. However, in season 2, everything isn’t hunky dory.
Creator/Writer/Actor Brett Goldstein (Ted Lasso) plays the man who killed the mother/wife in a drunk driving accident. Adding him into the mix adds another layer of unexpectedness that the series needed. Alice, and Jimmy, BFF Brian, build a relationship with him behind Jimmy’s back. Gaby’s divorce is done and she’s dating someone new. Dr. Paul Rhoads (Ford) is still dealing with family, Parkinson’s, and Jimmy’s crazy life. While neighbors Liz and Derek are dealing with a bombshell of their own. Season 2 of Shrinking has leveled up the show in unexpected ways and continues to create characters I can’t help but fall in love with.
Tell Me Lies Season 2 (Hulu)
Hulu’s hit series Tell Me Lies continues the crazy mess we love in season 1. While season 2 has a different vibe than season one, Lucy and Steven still can’t leave each other alone. No matter how much they try their game of cat and mouse gets crazier and crazier. The new season also adds Thomas Doherty (Gossip Girl) and Tom Ellis (Lucifer) to stir the pot. While one of them stirs things up more than the other, Doherty is a welcome addition (even if short-lived).
Bree (Catherine Missel) goes on a journey I was never expecting for her character. Diana becomes the ultimate girls’ girl. Pippa and Wrigley have my favorite storyline of the season. Poor Evan is still left on the sidelines only being a focus when the show jumps forward to the wedding we are still attending from season 1. I’m hoping with the renewal of the show they’ll figure out something interesting for Evan to do or be a part of. Right now he’s just a simp with no interests or life of his own.
Ghosts Season 4 (CBS)
Ghosts is one of my favorite comedies for 4 years running. The storylines they come up with, and the comedic timing of every actor is chefs kiss. This season the show gave fans the best Christmas gift. Jay (Utkarsh Ambudkar) was finally able to see the ghosts! This is something fans of the series have been waiting age for! It was fantastic to see Jay interacting with the ghosts he’s only heard about through his wife, Liv (Rose McIver). Now, he also has more of an understanding of what Liv deals with every day. I can’t wait to see what else this show has in store for the rest of the season.
Based on a True Story (Peacock)
Peacock’s Based on a True Story was one of my favorite new series last year. The premise is so outrageous that I think it could happen. Kaley Cuoco (Big Bang Theory) and Chris Messina (The Mindy Project) play a couple who has hit a bit of a rut. However, when they realize their handyman is actually the local serial killer, the West Side Ripper, the duo decides to blackmail him into doing a True Crime Podcast with them. So many ridiculous scenarios happen in season one leading up to the two losing the upper hand.
Season 2 dives into the consequences of last season’s finale. Ava (Kaley Cuoco) navigates motherhood while simultaneously concealing a murder, and Nathan’s (Chris Messina) tennis coaching aspirations are stagnant. Ava’s sister finds herself in a relationship with a serial killer, and there’s a possibility of a copycat killer on the prowl. Meanwhile, Matt (Tom Bateman) embarks on his path of transformation and redemption.
Found Season 2 (Peacock)
I’m a sucker for a cop drama and NBC’s Found does a great job of putting a twist on one of my favorite genres. The series stars Shanola Hampton as Gabi Mosely, a woman who was kidnapped as a child. As an adult, she opened a pro-bono company that helps find those who have been forgotten. Her entire team is built of interesting characters who all have a personal relationship with “missing”. Whether kidnapped themselves, being a prisoner of war, or losing someone themselves the team has individual skills that help bring people home. Continuing on the path of setting itself apart, Found also stars Mark-Paul Gosselaar as Sir, the man who kidnapped Gabi as a child who she now uses to help her with unsolved cases.
At the end of season 1, Sir has broken free and Gabi is asking Dahn to help her hunt him down. In the end, Gabi came clean to her entire team and every lead for Sir was a red herring. It turns out Sir is after Lacy. In season 2, Sir is still on the loose and the team is after him for the first half of the season. We also meet Sir’s family, and the mid-season finale is fantastic. If you’re not watching Found, fix that!
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