Tears streaming down my face as I grasp my blanket closer for comfort. Sadness. Laughter. Cheers and fist-pumping. Giggling and kicking my feet. Amazement and wonder coursing through my veins.
These are just some of the emotions I have felt while watching TV in 2024.
Vampires, period romances, Greek mythology, sci-fi and game shows dominated my screen last year.
It was a strange year emotionally, and it’s always TV that I cling to get me through the year.
I’ve always believed that it’s fun watching a series but that the viewer experience is at its peak when I get to talk about it with people afterward. That being said, I haven’t been able to shut up about these shows I watched last year.
Here are 24 shows (in chronological order) that got me through 2024:
‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’
Available on Disney+
Renewal Status: Renewed
“Percy Jackson and the Olympians” was the perfect way to start off 2024. It was so fun and so perfect. I’m jealous of all the people who get to experience this show as a kid. I guess that’s also part of the magic of it though. This show transported me back and made me feel like a kid again when I watched this. It’s an instant classic and the casting is wonderful. I’m thrilled to have fun TV again.
“Percy Jackson and the Olympians” is an adaptation of Rick Riordan’s book series of the same name. It follows 12-year-old demigod Percy Jackson as he discovers new powers after Zeus accuses him of stealing his master lightning bolt. New friends Annabeth Chase and Grover Underwood join Percy on his journey to restore Olympus and discover the truth.
‘Good Omens’
Available on Amazon Prime
Renewal Status: Renewed
“Good Omens” was addictive and imaginative. It was the perfect follow-up to “Percy Jackson.” Fun characters, godlike powers, and the complexity of truth were both entertaining and intellectually stimulating. My mind was going a mile a minute while laughter bubbled out of me. I loved it.
Michael Sheen and David Tenant don’t miss a beat in this Neil Gaiman adaptation. Angel Aziraphale and Demon Crowley drive the story forward as they learn to grow from one another despite their different societies trying to keep them apart. It’s essentially a story of star-crossed love with a backdrop of a looming Armageddon. Heaven and Hell use these two to keep an eye on the 11-year-old Antichrist, a boy who is unaware of the part he will play. Chaos ensues.
The colorful story and fandom shipping culture of “Good Omens” reminds me of what made TV so fun when I was a teenager.
‘The Traitors’
Available on Peacock
Renewal Status: Renewed
“The Traitors” (US version) marked my first game show of 2024, and I quickly became obsessed. I started with season two and watched it every week. Survivor alums Parvati Shallow, and Sandra Diaz-Twine were my reasons for beginning the show, but I stayed for the campiness and dramatics of it all. “The Traitors” feels less like a game show and more like a dramatic hijinx, but I love it nonetheless.
The UK version sticks with regular folks playing, but the US version has now become all about pitting reality stars against each other in this murder-mystery game. Actor Alan Cumming hosts 20 contestants at a Scottish castle where a small number of them are secretly chosen to be the “traitors.” They must don cloaks and meet under the guise of darkness, and choose which “faithful” to “murder” from the game. That person will then receive a letter notifying that they must leave. The next day, the rest of the group gets to vote on who they think a traitor is and who they want to leave the game.
Throughout the series, they all compete in challenges to add money to a prize fund of up to $250,000.
It’s like watching the real-life “Clue” but without the stakes of actual murder. I’m obsessed.
‘One Day’
Available on Netflix
Renewal Status: Completed
I went from fun TV shows to getting absolutely emotionally demolished by “One Day” on Netflix last year.
This limited series based on David Nicholls’ novel mastered the art of yearning. It follows Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew’s complicated relationship from university into adulthood. Each episode shows what their lives look like on July 15, beginning in 1988 and ending in 2007. We get to watch them meet and grow in and out of love with each other over nearly 20 years.
It’s a love story that feels real and beautiful and tragic. My heart shattered watching this. I feel like the world all had a good cry together when this came out in February 2024. “One Day” is a certified classic in my books.
‘Love Island All Stars’
Available on Peacock
Renewal Status: Renewed
I desperately needed something fun and non-committal to watch after sobbing throughout “One Day,” and “Love Island All Stars” was there to greet me with open arms.
“Love Island UK” has been a personal favorite since 2019, and I lost my mind when I learned they were making an all-stars season in 2024. Fan favorite Love Island UK contestants were given another chance at love in this new take on the series.
I’m sad I don’t get to participate in the public voting since I live in the United States, but it was still thrilling to see some of my favorites return and interact with people from other seasons. “Love Island All Stars” was a marvelous surprise last year, and I’m proper buzzing that it’s returning for a second season this year.
‘Deal or No Deal Island’
Available on Peacock
Renewal Status: Renewed
The year was 2024, and Boston Rob (a six-season Survivor alum) returned for another season of reality TV. Oh, life can be such a treat sometimes.
I grew up watching “Deal or No Deal” with my parents and was stoked to see a new version of it last year with a competitive twist. Hosted by Joe Manganiello, 13 contestants come to the banker’s private island to compete in challenges to find briefcases to add to a prize fund. A player gets selected each episode to participate in a game of “Deal or No Deal” with the banker in the hopes of adding money to the prize pot and avoiding getting eliminated from the game.
Only one player may win the game, and all of the earned money in the end. Rob Mariano, “Boston Rob,” joined the first season’s cast, which enticed me to watch in the first place. All in all, it’s a fun show. I’m even more excited that Parvati Shallow joins the season two cast beginning in January this year.
‘Fallout’
Available on Amazon Prime
Renewal Status: Renewed
One thing I miss most about the 2010s was all the dystopian and post-apocalyptic stories we got. It felt like I got a little piece of myself back when “Fallout” aired on Amazon Prime in 2024. There’s a character for everyone in this show, and I guess the “choose your player” is kind of the point.
“Fallout” is based on a video game set in post-apocalyptic Los Angeles caused by nuclear devastation. People must live in underground bunkers to protect themselves from radiation and all the danger that lurks on Earth’s surface. There just might be more to that story, though. Dun, dun, dunnnn.
The dark humor and twists make for a wonderful backdrop to just enjoy watching what the characters do. They’re relatable, complex and fun to watch. I can’t wait to see what they get up to in season two.
‘Bridgerton’
Available on Netflix
Renewal Status: Renewed
My dearest reader, there are few things I love more in this world than a Regency romance, so “Bridgerton” will be my cup of tea every time.
This show is really “Pride & Prejudice” mixed with “Gossip Girl,” and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Each season focuses on a different Bridgerton falling in love, so grab your flowers, everyone. Season three was all about #polin. “Bridgerton” aired on Netflix starting last May, and we finally got to dive into Penelope and Colin’s relationship after years of these two yearning for one another.
It didn’t hit as hard as season two did for me, but it was still a joy to watch. It almost felt like the season focused more on other characters than its two leads, but Penelope and Colin gave it their all on screen. I can’t lie, though. I am absolutely stoked for Benedict’s upcoming season (whenever that may be).
‘Doctor Who’
Available on Disney+
Renewal Status: Renewed
Bring on the fun! Ncuti Gatwa absolutely smashed it with his portrayal of the Doctor last year. It was brilliantly written with each episode seemingly better than the previous one.
“Doctor Who” was thought provoking while staying joyful in nature. There’s also so many plot threads I hope we pick up again this year. I desperately need to know what happened to Jonathan Groff’s character from the “Bridgerton” themed episode.
The season picked up from its 2023 Christmas special with the Doctor and Ruby Sunday traveling through space and time in the TARDIS. We met the Beatles in episode three, “The Devil’s Chord,” went to an odd utopia in episode six, “Dot and Bubble,” experienced Regency Era romance in episode seven, “Rogue,” and even met space babies in episode two.
The 2024 Christmas special featuring Nicola Coughlan also made me cry. I can’t wait to see where we journey to in the next season. I love what Gatwa is doing with the Doctor’s character.
‘House of the Dragon’
Available on Max
Renewal Status: Renewed
I went straight from sci-fi to fantasy when I started watching “House of the Dragon” season two last June. Dragons were all the rage last year, and I proudly declare myself Team Black instead of Team Green.
This “Game of Thrones” spinoff did a good job in season one at setting the tone for the characters and backstory for the Dance of Dragons battle we’re about to be fully immersed in. Season two focused more on the political struggles both Team Black and Green are facing. It was a little less intriguing for me than season one was, but I’m sure the build-up for season three will be worth it.
“House of the Dragon” is set nearly 200 years before the events of “Game of Thrones.” It chronicles the story of the Targaryens’ reign and how they crumble during their own civil war through a clash of siblings and dragons. The war becomes known as the “Dance of Dragons” and is even described in bits and pieces throughout “Games of Thrones.” Each episode feels like its own movie – a masterpiece.
‘Maxton Hall – The World Between Us’
Available on Amazon Prime
Renewal Status: Renewed
A new teen drama entered the scene last year with this German-language television series based on books by Mona Kasten. I need all the enemies-to-lovers fans to go watch this show right now. You won’t regret it. It’s giving me everything I want from this genre. Bantering, longing looks from across the room, subtle hand touches, hurt/comfort trope and more. “Maxton Hall” is the epitome of the female gaze.
Scholarship student Ruby witnesses an explosive secret at her school, Maxton Hall, at the beginning of this series. Arrogant millionaire and fellow classmate James Beaufort quickly jump in to protect the secret, causing him to keep an eye on Ruby to ensure she doesn’t expose it. Their witty interactions start to shift things between them.
The two lead actors had so much chemistry that they even started dating in real life. The show also got renewed very quickly, with production starting right away. It’s the first drama in a long time where we don’t have to wait two years for the next season. Filming wrapped in fall 2024, and the first look was released in December. There isn’t word yet on the season two release date, but people are speculating that it will drop in the spring as the previous one did.
I couldn’t be happier with “Maxton Hall.” The show is fan service in the best way possible.
‘Love Island USA’
Available on Peacock
Renewal Status: Renewed
A hot new bombshell has entered the villa. The 2024 “Love Island USA” season is absolutely everything I want when I watch reality TV. Last summer marked the first summer where I truly enjoyed the United States version more than the UK one. The people who did the casting for this last season deserve a raise. Leah, Serena and JaNa as PPG (Powerpuff Girls) are iconic, and I had a blast rooting for them every single day this show aired.
The recouplings were dramatic; Casa Amor was next level; I gasped when Serena dumped the breakfast on Kordell, voted to save Leah and Miguel every chance I had, and cried when Kenny and JaNa were on the outs.
I ate up everything the same way I ate avocado toast for breakfast every morning last summer while drinking water from my personalized Love Island water bottle. This season was giving, and I’ve never been healthier.
‘My Lady Jane’
Available on Amazon Prime
Renewal Status: Cancelled
“My Lady Jane” was perhaps my favorite new series of 2024. It was a perfect season of TV for me. Period romance? Check. A powerful woman who stands up for herself and the rights of others? Check. Men who yearn and look gorgeous doing it? Check. A funny narrator with mythical creatures? Check.
The show is based on the real-life Lady Jane Grey, infamously known as the UK’s “Nine Days Queen.” She had the shortest reign in British history after her cousin King Edward named her as his heir instead of one of his sisters. Jane Grey takes the throne after he dies from an illness, with her new husband, Lord Guildford Dudley, as the king’s consort. Edward’s sister Mary ends up creating a coup, takes the crown back after nine days and has both Jane and Guildford killed for treason.
The show (based on a book series by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton and Jodi Meadows) decides to rewrite history. What if instead of England being torn between Catholics and Protestants, the country is torn between humans and humans who turn into animals? And what if Guildford Dudley turns into a horse for half the day? The list goes on.
The show was spectacular with a growing fanbase, but Amazon Prime cancelled it prematurely. The cancellation was jarring, especially for a beloved one-season show that held even more potential.
‘North and South’
Available on Peacock
Renewal Status: Completed
One might be surprised at how many limited series period romances exist in the world, and I’m making it my life’s mission to watch as many as possible.
“North and South” is a 2004 BBC production based on Elizabeth Gaskell’s 1854-1855 novel. Margaret Hale is forced to leave her southern English home for the northern town of Milton and is quickly thrust into the industrial society there. She takes offense to the loudness and dirtiness of the city, and mill owner John Thornton represents all of this disgust to her. Margaret begins to learn that she was too quick to judge, though, and her mind opens up to this new world and John Thornton himself.
The miniseries consists of four one-hour-long episodes, so you can watch it in one sitting on a Sunday afternoon. It was a nice show to tide me over after watching “Bridgerton” and “My Lady Jane” last year.
‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’
Available on Hulu
Renewal Status: Completed
Each generation comes with a show so powerful that one becomes incapable of thinking about anything else.
I finally watched “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” for the first time. My Halloween season was spent cheering on Buffy slaying both vampiresand her outfits, yelling at Xander to shut up on my TV, crying over Tara and swooning over Spike.
I don’t know why it took me so long to watch “Buffy,” but I’m thrilled that I finally did. However, I do have a love/hate relationship with it. This show consumed my every waking thought for months, but it also made me really angry.
There’s a reason that “Buffy” is a cult classic. It paved the way for supernatural teen dramas. Two things can be true at once though. Joss Whedon’s treatment of female characters was disgusting.
It’s a weird feeling to have this girly excitement within me when it comes to this show. It was fun, and I loved watching Sarah Michelle Gellar kill it on my screen. I loved shipping characters.
Whedon’s strong involvement cast this dark light on it, though. I would go from giggling and kicking my feet to having my heart plummet to my stomach. The sporadic sexist moments he created within “Buffy” were like that dark feeling creeping up your spine when you’re walking alone at night. It was an emotional whiplash all the time, but not always in a fun way.
I love how the fans have really run with this world, though, and made it their own. “Buffy” is larger than the sum of its parts, and it’s larger than the man who created it.
‘The Anonymous’
Available on Peacock
Renewal Status: Unknown
Thank goodness there was a new reality game show to hold my attention after I binge-watched “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” last fall. Lies, deceit, and anonymity set the tone in Peacock’s reality show, The Anonymous.
12 contestants live together in a house but use fake username handles when they interact with each other online for the other part of the game. Throughout the show, they must tell the house’s artificial intelligence who they think each username handle belongs to. The person who conceals their identity the best is secretly given the title of “The Anonymous” and gets to choose who to leave the game.
The contestants also participate in challenges to add money to a prize pot that a lone player ends up winning in the finale.
It was an overall fun show, but there’s still no word on if it has been renewed for a second season.
‘Heartstopper’
Available on Netflix
Renewal Status: Renewed
“Heartstopper” has been such a beautiful consistency over recent years. It’s a series that shows love to its characters, cast and fanbase. I haven’t read the books it’s based on by Alice Oseman, but it looks like it stays pretty true to the source material. Watching this show feels like how a cozy bonfire feels.
In season three, we explored more of Charlie and Nick’s relationship. It was heartbreaking to see Charlie go on his journey last year and to see the other side of things through Nick’s perspective as well.
All of these characters are such a light to see, and I’m so happy we have a show like this existing in the world.
‘Nobody Wants This’
Available on Netflix
Renewal Status: Renewed
The world has seriously been lacking rom-coms since the early 2000s. The fact that we got one explored over the course of an entire TV show starring Adam Brody and Kristen Bell feels like a dream I never want to wake up from.
So, an agnostic podcast host (Kristen Bell) and a rabbi (Adam Brody) fall in love. With Brody’s character being newly single, disjointed family dynamics join the already complicated relationship as they learn about all their differences in their own lives.
It was so refreshing to see both of their characters being so open-minded and excited to learn about each other’s beliefs. “Nobody Wants This” is also just a cute romantic comedy in general, and it got renewed. Cue the confetti. I’m excited to see where their relationship goes in season two.
‘Outer Banks’
Available on Netflix
Renewal Status: Renewed
I feel like “Outer Banks” went kind of under the radar when it returned with its fourth season last November.
It was fun to see the traditional treasure-hunting storyline get turned a little more spooky with mysterious family lines running through it. It gave me “Scooby Doo” vibes, and I was here for it. The quick change of setting locations has started to become a bit over the top for me, though. It didn’t help that the final episode emotionally destroyed me.
I got spoiled about the “Outer Banks” season four finale, and honestly, thank goodness for that. I was still a wreck at the end. I can’t imagine how much more heartbroken I would’ve been had I gone into that final episode cold without being emotionally prepared.
I still really enjoyed watching it last fall and I’m hopeful for its final season.
‘Miraculous Ladybug: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir’
Available on Disney+
Renewal Status: Renewed
Fun fact: I got really big into “Miraculous Ladybug” when I was in college around 2018 and 2019. That was back when the new seasons were still being released on Netflix before Disney+ came along and scooped the show-up.
Because my mind was still on the show’s previous streaming service, I was out of the loop and didn’t even realize that season five had already come out. I waited years for that season and stumbled upon it one random day last November. I freaked out and immediately binge-watched it. Oh, that season was giving. It felt like I was watching fanfiction at times. Spectacular; give me 14 of them right now.
“Miraculous Ladybug” is an animated superhero series that follows teenagers Marinette Dupain-Cheng and Adrien Agreste as they transform into Ladybug and Cat Noir to save the citizens of Paris from supervillains. There’s a bit of a love square that ends up happening since Marinette/Ladybug is in love with Adrien, and Adrien/Cat Noir is in love with Ladybug. They both have a crush on the other person’s identity, which makes the show extra fun.
Season five was brilliant and, honestly, one of my favorite surprises of the whole year. I guess it’s a good thing that I waited years to finally watch it because now I won’t have to wait as long for season six.
‘The Great British Bake Off’
Available on Netflix
Renewed Status: Renewed
On your mark, get set, bake! I love the “Great British Bake Off” so much. It’s my favorite go-to comfort watch around the holidays. I even got my parents into watching the last season, and we would text each other updates about whether or not our favorites made it to the next round.
The whole premise is to watch a group of amateur bakers compete in three challenges a week (the signature, technical, and showstopper), where one will be awarded star baker, and one will be sent home by Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood. In the end, one will be crowned the UK’s Best Amateur Baker. They don’t win any money, but they do win a lovely cake stand.
“Bake Off” is so cozy and makes me believe in the good in the world. Despite competing against each other, the bakers still help each other out and offer encouraging words. I love it so much.
‘Survivor’
Available on Paramount+
Renewal Status: Renewed
I watched so much “Survivor” last year. If I wasn’t watching a new show, I was watching this one. I think I watched a total of 11 seasons (season 46, season 47, season 16 Micronesia: Fans vs. Favorites, season 13 Cook Islands, season 7 Pearl Islands, season 4 Marquesas, season 28: Cagayan: Brawn vs. Brain vs. Beauty, season 25 Philippines, season 20 Heroes vs. Villains, season 27 Blood vs. Water and season 26 Caramoan: Fans vs. Favorites).
“Survivor” has been on air since 2000, and I watched every single season with my parents growing up. We called it “Survivor Wednesdays,” and my mom would pop popcorn in the microwave at the beginning of the episodes. Even now, I still catch the scent of that buttery goodness every time I hear the show’s theme song play on my own TV.
I decided to go back and rewatch the older seasons since I was too little to remember them properly. How often do you get to experience your favorite things for the first time again? It’s been a blast.
20 castaways get split up into different tribes at the beginning of the season and must compete in immunity challenges. The tribe that loses the challenge must then go to the tribal council, where they’ll vote on who to send home. Soon enough, the tribes all merge into one, and then they must compete in individual immunity challenges instead. After the merge, everyone who gets voted off joins the jury, where they get to sit in on the tribal councils and eventually vote on who they think deserves to win the million dollars at the end. There are also different advantages added throughout the game and reward challenges.
I love watching the different social games each season and how each jury votes differently for a winner.
‘Pop Culture Jeopardy’
Available on Amazon Prime
Renewal Status: Unknown
On Wednesdays, we play pop culture Jeopardy! This show has become a highlight for me every week. It follows the same format as regular “Jeopardy” but is all about pop culture. Finally, a version of this game show where I know some of the answers.
“Saturday Night Live” star Colin Jost hosts “Pop Culture Jeopardy.” Three episodes are released weekly on Wednesdays, and it’s been airing on Amazon Prime since December 4, 2024.
It’s such a fun watch, and I really hope it gets renewed for a second season.
‘Squid Game’
Available on Netflix
Renewal Status: Renewed
After three years, we finally got “Squid Game” season two. I loved it. The new characters were my favorite part, hands down. I loved learning about their backstories and seeing their connections with each other, and I loved seeing them grow and develop on screen.
The new games were also very cool.
“Squid Game” season one really emphasized the different class systems and how the upper classes take advantage of that power dynamic. There was a new twist in the games in season two, though, where the contestants got to vote whether or not to end the games after every single game. That really put into perspective just how much people were willing to sacrifice when given a sliver of a chance to make a better life for themselves with money – even if that sacrifice is their actual lives.
The season felt like it ended in the middle of a scene, so I’m desperate to have season three to find out more. Thankfully, it’s been renewed and is returning in 2025.
