Well, well, well, we’ve made it to the end of 2024. It feels like a fever dream, doesn’t it? But whether your year was filled with joys or disasters, there was always one constant we could rely on for some pure, unfiltered escapism — TV shows.
There were so many incredible shows this year that had us gooped, gagged and addicted. Although I admittedly spent most of my TV time watching Below Deck, The Sopranos and The Real Lives Of Mormon Wives, there were a heap of shows that sparked discussion weekly in the PEDESTRIAN.TV office.
So, I thought I’d ask my lovely/smart/talented/hot colleagues about which shows they adored this year. We’re a diverse bunch so no matter your flavour, I’m sure we’ll have something for everyone. Hopefully, our wrap-up can act as some inspo for gooch week watching!!!!
The best TV Shows of 2024, according to the PEDESTRIAN.TV office
1. Baby Reindeer
If there was one show that had the biggest gorilla grip on pop culture this year, it was Baby Reindeer. The series follows an aspiring comedian and bar worker named Donny Dunn (Richard Gadd). One day, as he’s working in the local bar, he gives a free cup of tea to a sad-looking woman named Martha (Jessica Gunning). From that one moment, his life changes and she becomes totally and utterly obsessed with him. Eventually, Donny realises that Martha is stalking him.
“This shit had me cackling, bawling and scared for my life all in one sitting,” arvo/ nights writer Bek said.
It’s an incredibly compelling watch and that description only skims the surface. However, the reason the series became such a cultural moment was the drama happening off-screen. You see, the show was allegedly based on real-life events that Richard Gadd experienced, inspiring Netflix to refer to the tale as a “true story”.
Punters started searching for the woman who inspired the Martha character and eventually, a woman named Fiona Harvey came out publicly, admitting to be the inspiration for the character. However, she wasn’t happy with the portrayal and is currently suing Netflix for defamation.
For the whole story, you can check out our explainer HERE or you can also watch Baby Reindeer on Netflix.
2. The Penguin
According to a few of the blokes in the PTV office, The Penguin cannot be missed.
The series kicks off after the events of The Batman, with (a completely unrecognisable) Colin Farrell reprising the titular role. It follows Oz Cobb‘s (better known as The Penguin) rise to power in Gotham City’s underworld.
“The Penguin has to be right up there for one of the best things I have watched!” Andrew, advertising and partnerships manager, says.
I’ll be honest, I haven’t seen this show but for the record, Colin Farrell could get it. In costume for The Penguin? Who knows, put the man in front of me and I’ll report back.
You can watch The Penguin on Binge.
3. We Are Lady Parts, season 2
If you talk to our entertainment & native content producer Rachel, We Are Lady Parts season two has been an absolute standout on streaming this year.
“We Are Lady Parts is one of the best TV shows to hit our screens for yonks,” she says.
“The sitcom is somehow goofy yet edgy, and you’ll fall in love with the all-female, all-Muslim punk band for sure. Season two has hit 95 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes, so don’t just take my word for it!!!”
The series follows a band called Lady Parts as they try to make it in the British punk music scene. By season two, they’ve started to make traction but they still have a pretty big hill to climb.
You can check out We Are Lady Parts seasons one and two on Stan.
4. Extraordinary
At first, when PTV’s creative projects manager Pia said Extraordinary was her favourite show of the year, I had no idea what she was talking about. After googling it, I realised it was a show that I’d been watching incrementally on TikTok.
Extraordinary is a British superhero drama following a 25-year-old girlie pop named Jen. Although everyone else in her life developed superpowers at 18 years old, Jen did not. Now, she’s navigating her life as a single, powerless gal, hoping that she’s just a late bloomer.
You can watch Extraordinary on Disney+.
5. Arcane, Season Two
Arcane season two received rave reviews from multiple members of the team.
It is an animated drama about the origins of two iconic League of Legends champions — sisters Jinx (Ella Purnell) and Vi (Hailee Steinfeld). Despite being connected by blood, the sisters find themselves on opposite sides of a developing war between the rich utopian city of Piltover and the oppressed underground world of Zaun.
If you haven’t guessed, the series is based on the lore of online multiplayer game League of Legends. However, even people who haven’t engaged with the game like this show.
You can watch seasons one and two of Arcane on Netflix.
6. X-Men ’97
According to native content writer Ben, this year has been incredible for animated TV and X-Men ’97 is no exception.
“X-Men ’97 is some of the best TV out there right now, and everyone should watch,” he said.
Advertising and partnerships manager Jack agreed: “It was so iconic. Marvel did not disappoint with the highly anticipated and longest-waited show of all fkn time.”
We all know what the gist is for this one. You can watch X-Men ’97 on Disney+.
7. Nobody Wants This
Early 2000s heartthrobs Kristen Bell and Adam Brody are back where they belong in the adorable rom-com series Nobody Wants This. It follows a brash, outspoken podcaster named Joanne (Bell) who suddenly falls for a hot Rabbi named Noah (Brody). Although their worlds are completely different, they fall into the kind of relationship they’ve both always dreamed of.
The catch? Their friends and families don’t approve. With all the other outward factors, will their relationship make it in the real world? You’ll have to watch to find out.
Not only is this a brilliant show, but it was based on a true story! Don’t you love that?
You can read more about the real story behind the show HERE or watch Nobody Wants This on Netflix.
8. Dungeon Meshi / Delicious In Dungeon
Creative projects manager Mateus completely outed himself as a weeb by not only recommending Delicious In Dungeon but referring to it as its authentic Japanese name, Dungeon Meshi. He describes the series as a delightful animation that asks the question: “what if Dungeons & Dragons was about cooking?”
He’s got a goddamn point! There is something inherently delicious about animated food.
You can watch Delicious In Dungeon on Netflix.
9. Frieren: Beyond Journey
Another banger suggestion from Mateus was Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End which he describes as “a great take on what happens to our intrepid heroes 100 years after they’ve defeated the greatest evil?”
For a more standard description, this series follows elf mage and immortal being Frieren and her human friends after they manage to defeat the awful Demon King. Eventually, now that the Demon King’s reign is over, life gets back to normal. Well, until the immortal Frieren realises that her mortal friends are approaching their end and she must work out how to navigate life without them — and hopefully fulfil her friend’s deepest wishes before they pass away.
What a bittersweet concept! You can watch Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End on Crunchyroll.
10. Sweetpea
Sweetpea is a dark British comedy series starring Ella Purnell. She plays an unassuming admin assistant called Rhiannon who has spent most of her life blending into the shadows and being pushed aside. One day, Rhiannon is pushed a teensy bit too far. Instead of taking it on the chin like she has her whole life, she loses it — killing the person who tipped her over the edge.
From there, she finally steps out of the shadows as she attempts to be seen whilst simultaneously avoiding the prying eyes of the law.
It’s an absolute mess and we were all extremely invested in the drama of it all.
“I love how stabby this show was,” Rachel said. “I’ve been recommending this to anybody who will listen!”
You can watch Sweetpea on Binge.
11. Agatha All Along
No show has created more in-office chatter this year than Agatha All Along, the spin-off series from Marvel’s WandaVision.
According to deputy editor Matty, Agatha All Along is “the weirdest, wackiest, most addictive scripted” he’s watched in a long time.
“I was hanging on EVERY episode and legitimately so depressed when it ended. It had it all: humour, mystery, magic, and a KILLER cast from the wickedly funny Kathryn Hahn to the cool and quirky Aubrey Plaza to theatre legend Patti LuPone.
“I cannot wait to rewatch over the holidays!”
You can watch Agatha All Along on Disney+.
12. Yellowstone, Season 5
If you’re wanting to be in your yee-haw era, Yellowstone is defs one for you. It’s a certified smash, and season five didn’t disappoint! Created by Taylor Sheridan and John Linson, the story follows the Dutton family, who have to fight tooth and nail to protect their cattle ranch in Montana. Oh, and there seems to be an obscene amount of unsolved murders?! Spooky.
The ensemble cast includes Kelly Reilly, Luke Grimes, Wes Bentley, Cole Hauser, Kelsey Asbille, Brecken Merril, Finn Little and Gill Birmingham. And yep, supermodel Bella Hadid even made a cheeky cameo with her hunky cowboy boyfriend Adan Banuelos in episode 13!
While Yellowstone season five is the last, there’s going to be a sequel called The Madison in the future. So you’ll still be able to get your Yellowstone fix, even after you’ve burned through this show!
You can read more about YellowstoneHERE or watch it on Stan.
13. Fallout
Fallout, the TV show, is an adaptation of the video game series that dates back to the ’90s!
The series takes place after the world launches all of its nukes at each other, leaving Earth and all its big cities as a nuclear wasteland. Before the nukes were launched, a company named Vault-Tec designed a bunch of vaults to withstand a nuclear attack. However, all of these vaults were secretly science experiments made to test different cultural, political or straight-up body horror situations.
The series follows Lucy (Ella Purnell), the daughter of a vault overseer (essentially like the president of the vault) who oversees the people and keeps in contact with Vault-Tec. In the first episode, the vault is attacked by outside Raiders, who abduct Lucy’s dad and slaughter a bunch of its residents.
Trust me though, this is only skimming the surface for this brilliantly thought-out series. And, just like Arcane, the Fallout series didn’t just appeal to the gamers but the non-gaming public too. That’s a fkn win if you ask me.
You can watch Fallout on Prime Video.
14. The Boys, Season 4
In case you’ve been living under a rock, The Boys is a satirical superhero series that takes place in a universe where superheroes (or “Supes”) are real and they’re just as influential as celebrities. However, when a group of powerful superheroes called The Seven get too big for their superhero boots, a vigilante group with no powers called The Boys seek to bring them down.
“With the final season on the way, The Boys Season 4 has completely turned the tide and I cannot wait to see how Butcher and the gang get out of this mess,” Adam, social video and content producer, said.
You can watch The Boys on Prime Video.
15. The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives
Calling all the girlies who love reality television and TikTok drama — The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives is for you.
This surprise smash-hit series followed a group of hot young Mormon mums who posted about their lives on TikTok. Creatively, they referred to their group as “MomTok”. The series kicks off after the ringleader Taylor Frankie Paul admitted on a TikTok Live that the gang sometimes did a thing called “soft swinging” which involved hooking up with each other’s partners.
In the conservative Mormon community, this was a huge fkn scandal.
For news writer Simran, this show was a wonderful, juicy breath of fresh air for a bunch of reasons.
“I thought the show was actually so educational on how people navigate their faith within a social media world and how it impacts them,” she said.
“I always say that reality TV is like a window into the human experience and this was an experienece I had no idea about, so I was happy to learn. Plus I can’t believe they don’t drink coffee but they do ketamine. Like WDYM!!”
You can watch The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives on Disney+. To read about all the bombshells we learnt from the show, click HERE.
16. Colin From Accounts, Season 2
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: If there are no fans of Aussie television, I am dead. I am the biggest advocate for the incredible shows Australians manage to pump out year after year. In 2024, my favourite Australian offering is without a doubt romantic comedy series Colin From Accounts, season two.
Season one was incredible. It was one of the only shows that truly made me laugh out loud, rather than just exhaling air heavily from my nose. I was worried that the second season wouldn’t live up to the incredibly high expectations I had. Thankfully, the hot, married creators Patrick Brammall and Harriet Dyer did not disappoint.
Colin From Accounts follows what happens after a student doctor flashes her tit to a brewery owner, causing him to accidentally hit a dog with his car. They end up adopting the dog — who they call Colin — and the bizarre situation brings them together.
You can watch Colin From Accounts seasons one and two on Binge.
17. Black Dove
Black Doves is the kinda Christmas TV show that’s the perfect antidote to the cheesy Hallmark-style movies we’ve been bombarded with for like, ever. The spy thriller shot to number one on Netflix in record time and it’s all about deception, the London underworld and danger.
Keira Knightley plays Helen Webb, a secret agent who realises her cover is at risk when her lover gets assassinated. Her spy agency sends an old friend, Sam (Ben Whishaw), to come and protect her… and things escalate.
The creator actually took inspiration from the real-life spy cops scandal that took place in the UK over multiple decades. Basically, a squad of UK police officers were “placed deep undercover in political groups” and became intimate with women on the inside. This idea of long-term deception heavily influenced this thrilling drama.
You can read more about the true story behind the show HERE or watch Black Doves on Netflix.
18. The Day Of The Jackal
The Day of the Jackal is a British TV show based on the classic novel of the same name. For those who love any sort of spy thriller, this one’s for you! It’s a cat-and-mouse show, with a MI6 agent Bianca Pullman (Lashana Lynch) set on capturing the evasive and notorious assassin known only as The Jackal (Eddie Redmayne).
This reimagining of the source material has seen The Jackal be a lil’ bit more fleshed out, giving him a loving family. We stan complex characters in this house!!!
You’ll be rooting for The Jackal as he plows through what seem like impossible assignments, and yes, you might find yourself holding your breath out of fear. It’s action-packed, tense and satisfying.
You can watch The Day of the Jackal on BINGE.
19. Tulsa King, Season 2
Calling all Sopranos fans!!!
Tulsa King combines a classic mob boss story with cowboys, so what’s not to love?
This Sylvester Stallone-led show nabbed a 100 per cent fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, so you won’t be disappointed giving this one a go. It’s about Dwight Manfredi, a mobster who thinks he’ll be rewarded for his loyalty after spending 25 years in prison. Instead, he’s shipped off to Tulsa in Oklahoma, where he has to build a new crew from the ground up. Created by Yellowstone’s Taylor Sheridan and helmed by The Sopranos’ Terence Winter, it’s TV pedigree at its finest.
You can watch Tulsa King on Paramount+.
20. The Real Housewives Of [Inset Franchise Here]
It has been a big, wonderful year for the fans of The Real Housewives franchise. Deputy editor Matty is the biggest Housewives fan I know, and he has been very satisfied by the goodies from the lovely ladies in 2024.
“Bravo fans have been kept well fed this year by banger Real Housewives season after banger Real Housewives season,” he said.
“Special shoutouts to Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (Dorit‘s ciggie moment was EVERYTHING), Real Housewives of Salt Lake City (the batshit fights are giving me life) and, of course, the Real Housewives of Orange County, which had its highest ratings in years. It’s been a wonderful year to be a Real Housewives fanatic, lemme tell ya!”
You can watch every iteration of the Real Housewife franchise on Hayu.
22. Popstar Academy: KATSEYE
And the award for the best concept reality show of 2024 goes to… Popstar Academy: KATSEYE!!!!
“If you love drama shows but also miss Australia’s Got Talent — Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE is for you,” Native content writer Emily said.
“The show follows a group of girls battling it out to be in a K-Pop group, except they don’t know that it’s being turned into a reality competition. The way it pulls back the curtain on the entertainment industry is crazy, and I have so much more appreciation for singers and dancers now.
“Go watch it, you’re not going to regret it.”
You can watch Popstar Academy: KATSEYE on Netflix.
23. Interior Chinatown
Interior Chinatown is a pretty meta TV show that plays on tropes, stereotypes and the classic police procedural like Law & Order. It stars Jimmy O. Yang, who plays the background character of Willis Wu in a police procedural Black and White.
After accidentally witnessing a crime, he finds his world evolving past Chinatown as he tries to learn how to become a main character. The cast is stacked, with Ronny Chieng providing some comic relief and Chloe Bennet is stellar as Detective Lana Lee.
“It’s delightful, filled with comedy and has some truly inspired lighting and cinematography choices,” Native and Entertainment Content Producer Rachel says. “The performances are fantastic, and it’s so fun to see Jimmy O. Yang stretch his acting chops.”
It’s based on the book of the same name and Taika Waititi serves as one of the Executive Producers (as well as directing some eps!)
You can check Interior Chinatown out on Disney+.
24. Below Deck (multiple seasons within the franchise)
If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I’m a Below Deck tragic. I will never, ever stop recommending Below Deck to people on the internet. After all, it is without a doubt the least contrived reality show of all time in my opinion.
In 2024, we were blessed with season 11 of the OG Below Deck, season nine of Below Deck Mediterranean and season five of Below Deck Sailing Yacht. What a fruitful year. We were blessed.
You can watch Below Deck on Binge or Hayu.
If these suggestions weren’t enough for your holiday binge sessions, don’t worry. I’ve spent the last year (give or take a month or two, sorry) recapping the best releases each month. While some include new seasons of older shows, these wrap-ups mainly consist of newer shows to land on streaming. You are sooOOoOOOoo welcome!!!!
The best new TV shows to stream in 2024
The post The 24 Best Shows Of 2024 That We’re Still Talking About In The PEDESTRIAN.TV Office appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
