People tend to have more free time over the holidays, so it’s a great opportunity to catch up on some of the best recent shows. The holidays can also be a good time to rewatch some older shows that are set to return in the new year. Shows likeSeveranceandStranger Thingshave taken such long breaks between seasons that it might be wise to refresh one’s memory. It’s also the perfect time for newcomers to catch up before the new seasons drop.
2024 has produced a mix of brilliant new shows and some old favorites returning for great new seasons. If people were too busy to keep up with these shows when they came out, the holidays might provide a chance to finally watch them. Shows likeShōgunandMasters of the Airrepresent the pinnacle of television in 2024, whileWhat We Do in the ShadowsandOnly Murders in the Buildingprovide something more lighthearted that’s perfect for binge-watching.
Apple TV+ has developed a reputation for great sci-fi shows in recent years.Silo, For All MankindandFoundationare all worth watching, butSeverancestands out from the crowd. The sci-fi dramedy imagines a world in which people can undergo a medical procedure to detach their memories of work from their memories of the outside world, essentially creating a copy of themselves who is forever forced to carry out mindless data entry.
Severanceseason 1 is gripping from start to finish, with moments of humor sprinkled in to keep up the pace. However, fans have had to endure a long wait for season 2, which is finally coming in January 2025. This long wait has been especially exhausting considering the number of unanswered questions leftover from the show’s outing.After Mark’s escape plan and the reveal about his wife, season 2 has a lot of ground to cover.
Just likeSeverance, Andordelivered a breathtaking first season and then took a long break. Since Disney has taken over theStar Warsfranchise, they have created a raft of live-action TV shows, withAndorandThe Mandalorianbeing the pick of the bunch. WhileThe Mandalorianhas had three seasons already with a movie on the way,Andorhas produced just one scintillating season. It is finally set to return in April 2025.
It’s a good time to catch up by watchingAndorseason 1.Andoris one of the best shows for casual fans ofStar Wars,and it would even be a good choice for newcomers to the franchise. The show follows a supporting character from 2016’sRogue One: A Star Wars Story,so it’s already two steps removed from the franchise’s main storyline. It’s set in the same universe as the Skywalker saga, but there are fewer droids and aliens, so it’s more approachable for the uninitiated.
What We Do in the Shadowsis set to air its series finale in December, so there’s still time to catch up. Throughout its six seasons, the horror comedyhas solidified its claim as one of the funniest shows on TV. TheWhat We Do in the Shadowscastis a big reason why, from the bombastic eccentricity of Matt Berry to the excruciating cringe comedy of Mark Proksch.What We Do in the Shadowshas plenty of ways of making its audience laugh.
The vampire mockumentary is based on a movie directed by Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement. It moves the action from New Zealand to New York, but it’s just as funny. Although there’s plenty of death and gore,What We Do in the Shadowsis still a surprisingly effective comfort watch.It can be watched in order, but there isn’t much lost by dipping in and out of random episodes.
Masters of the Airwas made by the same team behindBand of BrothersandThe Pacific, and it’s yet another epic story about the extreme circumstances of the Second World War. With a $250 million budget,Masters of the Airis one of the most expensive TV shows ever made, and it’s more expensive than most Hollywood blockbusters too. The investment pays off with some spectacular aerial battle scenes, remarkable period details, and a superb ensemble cast.
Austin Butler continues to distinguish himself as one of the most compelling young actors in the business inMasters of the Air, but he is just one part of an impressive cast. Callum Turner, Barry Keoghan, Ncuti Gatwa and more help to create an immersive portrait of the war.IfMasters of the Airisn’t the best show of 2024, which it very well could be, then it’s certainly the most spectacular.
Stranger Thingsis one of the biggest Netflix shows ever, but the three-year wait between seasons has all but robbed it of its momentum. If it were any less popular, people would likely forget about it, butthe hype is now building forStranger Thingsseason 5, just as it did when season 4 came out in 2022 after a three-year wait.Season 5 ofStranger Thingswill be the show’s last.
There are plenty of questions about the supernatural goings-on in Hawkins that need to be answered before season 5 drops. The best way to get to grips with where the characters are at the start of season 5 is simply to watch it all over again from the start. This could also be a reminder of how excitingStranger Thingscan be, and some fans will need this after three years without an episode.
BeforeThe Boysseason 5wraps up the show, it’s worth going back and seeing how it all unfolds from the beginning. This is the best way to appreciate Butcher’s journey toward darkness and desperation, as well as Homelander’s rise from a spoiled manchild to a dangerous political force. One impressive thing aboutThe Boysis that it develops its entire cast of characters across the years. Even minor players like Deep and Ashley can be surprisingly nuanced.
The Boyssells itself as an antidote to the deluge of superhero contentthat has been spat out by big studios in the last 10–15 years. It has a darkly satirical take on adult fans of superheroes and the way that fictional media can impact real-world politics. It’s also known for its shocking gore and bloodshed. It isn’t just the amount of violence that’s disarming; it’s also the endless creativity of it all.
Only Murders in the Buildingis perfect for a holiday binge,as each season presents an intriguing mystery with plenty of laughs along the way. Steve Martin and Martin Short have been a comedy double act for decades, but the addition of Selena Gomez shakes up their dynamic massively, and it allows the show to add a new angle. She fits in surprisingly well, completing the trio of amateur sleuths. The style of the show is perfect for fans of lighthearted crime, likeMonkandPsych.
Only Murders in the Buildinghas mastered the art of the cliffhanger, making it hard to resist watching multiple episodes at once. It also has cliffhangers between seasons, as the next case is teased. Season 4 sees Charles, Oliver and Mabel following a more personal investigation, as one of their close friends is gunned down. It’s a superb season that balances the show’s comedy with plenty of heart.As always, the supporting cast is filled with big stars, from Meryl Streep to Paul Rudd.
In an era when fans have become accustomed to long waits for the return of their favorite shows, it’s refreshing to seeThe Bearreliably delivering a new season every June for the past three years. What’s even more impressive is thatThe Bearhas maintained its quality throughout, which isn’t easy for one of the best shows of the last few years.Season 4 ofThe Bearlooks set for a summer 2025 release.
Most episodes ofThe Bearare around half an hour in length, which makes them easy to digest, and the show is easy to get into. For those who haven’t yet been initiated, the eight-episode first season can be binged in a single weekend.Season 3 ends on a cliffhanger, so rewatching the show in its entirety might be the only way to cope with the excruciating wait for season 4.The Bearis known for its intense atmosphere, but this is more absorbing than forbidding.
One of the most intriguing elements of 2022’sThe Batmanis Colin Farrell’s performance as Oz Cobb, but not many people expected him to get his own spinoff show.The Penguinis a fantastic crime drama, even for those who usually avoid superhero movies and TV shows. Anyone familiar withThe Batmanwill know that it’s a grittier take on the DC comic book hero, andThe Penguincarries on this tone.
While Farrell is characteristically superb, there are plenty of other performances worth watching inThe Penguin.Cristin Milioti is particularly captivating, reminding everyone that she has formidable dramatic chops despite making a name for herself in comedies.The Penguincan be enjoyed without watchingThe Batmanbeforehand, but it’s so compelling that it will likely win over many new fans for the movie.
The Emmys were utterly dominated byShōgunin 2024, with FX’s historical drama taking home a record-breaking 18 awards, including Outstanding Drama Series. Although the scale of this win may be a surprise,Shōgunwas always a firm favorite in many categories.It’s been named by many critics as the best TV show of the year, and it has managed to attract a broad audience that extends beyond the usual fans of historical dramas.
Shōgunhas drawn comparisons toGame of Thrones,with its immersive worldbuilding, gorgeous production design and its twisty game of political cloak-and-dagger. It was initially envisioned as a miniseries, but its enormous popularity has meant thatShōgunseason 2has been confirmed. While this could mean a long wait, season 1 is still worth catching up on. It’s an immensely satisfying slow burn packed with great performances.
