In a recent column I said I didn’t get to watch much TV these days, but this doesn’t quite tell the whole story. The fact is, I watch plenty of TV, it’s just that about 80% of it is done against my will and for the enjoyment of my kids. There are few advantages to watching so much kids’ telly. The zip and verve of adult fare is rarely to be found in the shows beloved of a two- or six-year-old. Not for them, third-act twists and nuanced antiheroes, complex ruminations on trauma or exquisite action set-pieces.
But then, some outliers in their viewing diet fill me with hope, or get me hooked. So, in this month of year-end lists, reviews and gongs, I humbly present the best television I’ve watched against my will in 2024.
