The best TV shows of 2024 so far — the critic’s verdict

The best TV shows of 2024

Arthur Wilson, right, in D-Day: The Unheard Tapes

BBC

D-Day: The Unheard tapes

80 years ago, the largest seaborne operation in military history began the liberation of France from Nazi Germany and paved the way for an Allied victory on the Western Front. This remarkable piece of documentary filmmaking uses recordings of the brave people who fought on the beaches of Normandy in 1944, and brings their testimony to life through lip-syncing their first hand accounts of what happened with young modern-day actors. The resulting programme lays bare the fog of war; bravery, brutality, fear and loss in a hard-hitting but unmissable piece of television across three parts.

First broadcast: June 2, 2024, BBC2

Where can I watch D-Day: The Unheard tapes now? BBC iPlayer

Eric

Benedict Cumberbatch serves up one of his best television performances in Abi Morgan’s dark and twisty tale. Cumberbatch plays troubled drink and drug-addled television puppeteer Vincent in search of his missing son, Edgar, across (and under) the mean streets of early 1980s New York City. Convinced that if he brings alive Edgar’s drawings of a monster called Eric on his TV show that his son will see it and return, Vincent’s life spirals quickly out of control as his marriage, job and relationship with his parents goes into freefall. With visions of a 7ft version of Eric following him through the story, this enterprising and well-executed show will take you out of your comfort zone as a viewer, but across its six episodes it manages to deliver on an ambitious premise.

First broadcast: May 30, 2024, Netflix

Where can I watch Eric now? Netflix

My Sexual Abuse: The Sitcom

In this brave and bold documentary, comedian and writer Mark O’Sullivan reveals how he was sexually abused by a member of his extended family when he was 11 or 12. The story takes viewers to dark places in his childhood, but his response to this tragedy is somewhat unorthodox; he decides to write a sitcom about it. A heartfelt and personal film which explores the deep and lasting effects abuse has on its victims, the unusual premise brings much-needed moments of levity to a difficult subject as we see O’Sullivan write and rehearse the comedy designed to tell his childhood story. This easily might not have worked, but far from making light of the abuse he suffered, O’Sullivan’s careful and thorough explanation of his motivation to exorcise his demons in this way lends even more power to his story.

First broadcast: May 27, 2024, Channel 4

Where can I watch My Sexual Abuse: The Sitcom now? Channel 4 streaming

The Responder

It’s not often that the second series of a TV show can capture the same level of intensity as its first, but The Responder, which stars Martin Freeman as a Liverpool police officer on the edge, manages to do so without missing a beat. Set six months after the events of the exceptional first series, Chris Carson (Freeman) is still separated from his wife Kate (MyAnna Buring) and despite his best intentions quickly gets pulled into a spiralling set of circumstances that make his already difficult situation unbearable. A career-defining performance from Freeman, this is some of the finest British drama of the last decade.

First broadcast: May 5, 2024, BBC1

Where can I watch The Responder now? BBC iPlayer

Red Eye

There is a grand tradition of rip-roaring thrillers set on aeroplanes from big-screen blockbusters like Con Air and Air Force One to last year’s excellent Apple TV+ series Hijack starring Idris Elba. Although ITV perhaps won’t be sweeping the board come award season with Red Eye, this edge-of-your-seat espionage drama starring Richard Armitage, Jing Lusi and Leslie Sharp is a lot of fun and has all the twists-on-a-plane storylines you have come to expect in all dramas set at 40,000 feet. Yes, you may have to suspend disbelief at times, but once you start watching, you’ll find it hard to stop. Across six episodes laced with thrills, kills and plenty of questions — you’ll reach your destination safely, having enjoyed the ride.

First broadcast: April 23, 2024, on ITV1

Where can I watch Red Eye now? ITVX

Blue Lights

One of the BBC’s breakout hits of 2023, this police drama set in Northern Ireland received rave reviews from critics and the public alike, prompting the BBC to make the unusual decision to announce the third and fourth series before the second run even aired. Even with this pressure on it, the show navigated the tricky second album in style, bringing us more of our favourite rookie recruits as they became more established in their roles, their relationships developed and the world around them continued to grow more dangerous and unpredictable.

First broadcast: April 15, 2024, BBC1

Where can I watch Blue Lights now? BBC iPlayer

Baby Reindeer

Written by and starring comedian Richard Gadd as Donny Dunn, a fictionalised version of himself, this exceptional seven-part chilling drama tells the story of Gadd’s real-life experiences of being stalked and sexually assaulted while in his 20s. Adapted from his one-man Edinburgh Fringe Festival show it doesn’t take long for the show to draw you deep into Donny’s world of desperation and despair as he struggles to find fame as a comedian in London while working in a bar and living with his ex-girlfriend’s mum. However, things take a much darker turn when he meets Martha (Jessica Gunning) a woman who walks into the pub he works in and will soon become his stalker. Confused by her behaviour, his feelings and deeply damaged by sexual abuse in his recent past Donny’s life begins to spiral out of control. The type of show that makes you feel uneasy for some time after watching each episode, it combines a terrifying and desperately sad and troubling story with wonderfully well-executed lead performances from Gadd and Gunning.

First broadcast: April 11, 2024, on Netflix

Where can I watch Baby Reindeer now? Netflix

Curb Your Enthusiasm

After 24 years and twelve glorious seasons, Larry David’s groundbreaking comedy about a hyper-real misanthropic version of himself bowed out this year — and unlike the divisive ending to his sitcom Seinfeld, Curb’s swansong was almost universally applauded. It’s hard to measure the impact this curious but wonderful mix of satire, character study and exploration of the human condition has had on television comedy, but it’s fair to say that it’s been huge. Perhaps it’s time to watch it all again from the start? It’s pretty, pretty, pretty good.

First broadcast: April 8, 2024, Sky/ Now

Where can I watch Curb Your Enthusiasm now? Sky/ Now

Ripley

A far cry from the sun-kissed, colourful 1999 film starring Matt Damon and Jude Law, Netflix’s latest adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s Tom Ripley sees Andrew Scott take over in a cinematic retelling of this story of obsession and crime completely in black and white. The eight-part series, which also stars Dakota Fanning as Marge and Johnny Flynn as Dickie Greenleaf, is nothing short of a masterful piece of noir television, drawing us into the twisted world of a sociopath with acute attention to detail. The show is slow-paced and won’t deliver instant gratification, but those who commit for the long-haul will be rewarded with one of the finest Netflix original series ever made.

First broadcast: April 4, 2024, on Netflix

Where can I watch Ripley now? Netflix

The Gentlemen

A spin-off from the 2019 film of the same name, Guy Ritchie’s unique brand of brash and bold storytelling translates effortlessly to the small screen in this binge worthy gangster action comedy drama. Theo James stars as Eddie, an ex-army aristocrat thrust into a world of drugs, dodgy deals and violence after unexpectedly inheriting an estate and the title of the Duke of Halstead. When he discovers Susie Glass (Kaya Scodelario) is running a drugs empire from his land things quickly spiral out of control. If you like Ritchie’s previous works featuring highly stylised explorations of a British criminal underworld, this is a series for you. Add in the always pleasing mandatory role for Vinnie Jones and excellent if rather fleeting appearances from Ray Winstone as Susie’s incarcerated father, Bobby, and this adds up to a good night in.

First broadcast: March 7, 2024, on Netflix

Where can I watch The Gentlemen now? Netflix

Shogun

James Clavell’s 1975 historical novel was a huge best-seller and in 1980 was made into a hit 5-part television series on US network TV starring Richard Chamberlain and exported across the globe. With such pedigree it might be a surprise that it took so long for a streaming service to dust off the source material and take a fresh look at the Shogun story. And the good news is, the latest version of this epic story of a shipwrecked English sailor as he becomes entwined in the politics and power struggles of 1600s Japan is compelling television. Starring Como Jarvis as John Blackthorne and an acclaimed Japanese cast including Anna Sawai and Hiroyuki Sanada, this sumptuous drama delivers action, tension, beautiful scenery and exquisite attention to period detail in equal measure.

First broadcast: February 27, 2024, on Disney+

Where can I watch Shogun now? Disney+

Breathtaking

Set during the darkest days of the Covid pandemic, this powerful three-part drama brings into sharp focus the horrors of the public health emergency and the people who struggled on the front lines of the NHS to save lives. Joanne Froggatt delivers a superb leading performance as Dr Abbey Henderson, an exhausted hospital consultant struggling to lead a team and hold back a tidal wave of Covid cases armed with ever-changing guidelines and inadequate PPE. Written by three trained doctors, including Line of Duty’s Jed Mercurio, the programme uses a fictional hospital and staff to shine a light on the very real life-or-death issues faced by medical staff on the wards while politicians and officials procrastinated. It’s not an easy watch, but this crafted, thoughtful and at times infuriating production will stay with you long after you switch off the television.

First broadcast: February 19, 2024, on ITV1

Where can I watch Breathtaking now? ITVX

Ambika Mod as Emma and Leo Woodall as Dex in One Day

NETFLIX/AP

One Day

After the disappointing 2011 film version of David Nicholls’s bestselling novel, the announcement of a 14-part Netflix adaptation of the story may not have inspired everyone with confidence. But never fear, this beautifully crafted seven-or-so-hour story of friendship, love, loss and growing up is a triumph which carefully treads the line between indie flick and romantic comedy at a perfect pace. Telling the story of Emma (Ambika Mod, This Is Going to Hurt) and Dex (Leo Woodall, The White Lotus), university students who meet on the July 15 and form a friendship that will span two decades, the show catches up with them every July 15 from 1988 into the new millennium as their lives change and their relationship develops. Elevated by exceptional source material that is given exactly enough time to breathe, nuanced and delicately delivered lead performances and a pleasing retro soundtrack, this fabulous series can be devoured in just a few sittings.

First broadcast: February 8, 2024, on Netflix

Where can I watch One Day now? Netflix

Masters of the Air

In 2001 Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg collaborated on the magnificent war drama Band of Brothers, telling the story of American soldiers fighting in the Second World War in Europe. It was followed in 2010 by The Pacific, about US Marines fighting in the aftermath of Pearl Harbor. Masters of the Air is the third chapter, focusing on the 100th Bomb Group of the US Eighth Air Force. It has not lost any of the edge of its predecessors, showcasing the horrors of war through the lens of young men being asked to do extraordinary things to safeguard freedom. A thoughtful and beautifully crafted piece of television with a vast cast headed by Austin Butler and Callum Turner, it’s a show that runs at its own pace, taking the viewer on a dark journey through troubled times in Europe.

First broadcast: January 26, 2024, on Apple TV+

Where can I watch Masters of the Air now? Apple TV+

Griselda

In recent years the cartel TV show has become a go-to for streamers looking for a global hit. Much of this was spurred by the success of Narcos on Netflix, a series about the rise and fall of Pablo Escobar that spawned several spin-offs. Now the makers of that show bring their exceptional pedigree to the story of the so-called Cocaine Godmother, Griselda Blanco. Played by Modern Family’s Sofia Vergara, Griselda’s story is told with style and panache in an extraordinary portrait of a woman’s determination to overcome the odds and take control in a man’s world. Although historians may find themselves questioning the accuracy of every beat of the series, the compelling central character and performance will keep you hooked.

First broadcast: January 25, 2024, on Netflix

Where can I watch Griselda now? Netflix

True Detective: Night Country

It’s been a decade since Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey appeared in the first season of this gripping, occult-tinged crime anthology series, and the show hasn’t delivered consistent viewer returns since that first scintillating series. However, those about to give up on the franchise should think twice before missing this exceptional return to form in season four. Jodie Foster delivers an exceptional lead performance as Detective Liz Danvers opposite colleague Evangeline Navarro (Kali Reis) as they investigate a mass disappearance in the dark Alaskan tundra.

First broadcast: January 14, 2024, on Sky Atlantic/Now

Where can I watch True Detective: Night Country now? Sky/Now

Gladiators

It’s fair to say I had low expectations when it was announced that the BBC was going to remake the Nineties Saturday-night classic Gladiators. Sky tried it in 2008 and it faded without a trace — and it was hard to see how this would be anything different. But how wrong I was: not only is Gladiators 2024 an excellently crafted, loving tribute to the original, it has been a ratings smash hit for the BBC, garnering more than six million viewers for the opening episode — more than one in three of all TV viewers at that time. There may be a new breed of Gladiators, from Diamond to Apollo, and a few new games — but largely speaking it’s almost identical to the original, allowing nostalgic parents to enjoy the show with their kids. When it comes to Saturday nights, perhaps old is the new new.

First broadcast: January 13, 2024, on BBC1

Where can I watch Gladiators now? BBC iPlayer

Julia

The first season of this cosy, funny and charming origin story of Julia Child, the American cooking legend, went somewhat under the radar in the UK despite being a vehicle for the extraordinary acting talents of Sarah Lancashire. Virtually unrecognisable from her role in Happy Valley, the finale of which was one of the shows of 2023, Lancashire delivers a remarkable performance as Child opposite an equally captivating and nuanced turn from Frasier’s David Hyde Pierce as Child’s husband, Paul.

First broadcast: January 4, 2024, on Sky Atlantic/Now

Where can I watch Julia now? Sky/Now

The Traitors

The reality TV hit of 2022 returned for its tricky second album in January as a group of 22 strangers once again battled it out for a six-figure cash prize in a Scottish castle. Anyone who thought the show might have been a one-hit wonder immediately had their fears allayed by a first week filled with more twists, turns and gasp-out-loud moments than most shows would get in a year. Claudia Winkleman once again oversees affairs with dry wit and Highland style. It’s a great format that draws in the usual reality naysayers and keeps you coming back for more.

First broadcast: January 3, 2024, on BBC1

Where can I watch The Traitors now? BBC iPlayer

Mr Bates vs The Post Office

The reaction to this primetime new year drama about the Post Office Horizon computer scandal that resulted in more than 700 sub-postmasters being wrongly prosecuted was nothing short of astounding. Commanding the news agenda and the corridors of power for weeks after broadcast, the brilliantly written four-part drama stars Toby Jones as the titular Alan Bates, a former sub-postmaster who, despite the odds being stacked against him, launched a tireless two-decade-long fight to bring justice to those wronged and expose the truth. With powerful performances from a large ensemble cast including Julie Hesmondhalgh, Monica Dolan, Will Mellor, Katherine Kelly and Shaun Dooley, this extraordinary television show is proof of the power of television drama at its very best.

First broadcast: January 1, 2024, on ITV1

Where can I watch Mr Bates vs The Post Office now? ITVX