Feminista's 8 Favorite TV Series of 2024 - Can You Guess Which Made The Top Spot?

More well-scripted dramas and comedies, more diverse casts, more relatable characters, and less reality tv was a good look.

As would be expected, the COVID-19 pandemic had a severe impact on the entertainment industry. Several productions were stalled or ended abruptly for a couple of years. That’s why it’s nice to see evidence of a rebound. The industry seems to be moving back towards more well-scripted dramas and comedies with less reliance on reality television, which is a good look for all the talented writers, showrunners, and actors who take pride in their crafts. With more streaming services like AppleTV, Amazon Prime, and Netflix to distribute shows, on top of networks like NBC, AMC, and FX, there has been quite a bit of quality content this year. Here are my top 8:

8. Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story

I remembered the brothers’ crime story from my childhood, so it was fascinating to see Ryan Murphy’s take as part of his “Monsters” series. The timing of the show’s release was controversial because there was also a documentary about the case airing at that time. I wrote a review of the show earlier this year, and thought the cast was fantastic! It’s a great watch for anyone who’s into fictionalized true crime. It’s streaming now on Netflix and trust me, you’ll end up binging this one, so carve out some time in your schedule.

7. Presumed Innocent

What a ride this was!! AppleTV has so many GEMS and, while I rarely endorse any one streaming service, I’m telling you not to sleep on AppleTV. Jake Gyllenhaal is at his peak with his performance as a philandering husband who is accused of killing his pregnant mistress and colleague. This show has more twists and turns than a lactose-intolerant gut after a double-scoop of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. Ruth Negga plays his wife and delivers a subtly powerful performance throughout the series. The show did so well that it’s been renewed for a second season with possibly an entirely new cast, but we will have to wait and see what’s cooking. I’ll definitely be tuning in if it’s anything like this first season.

6. Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist

The all-star ensemble cast is filled with Black Hollywood royalty and they all deliver knockout performances in this throwback gem. With Samuel L. Jackson, Taraji P. Henson, and Kevin Hart, Fight Night is an enjoyable heist series set in the 1970s that will make you laugh and keep you wanting more. Check out my full review here and give it a go if you’re looking for a fun period piece that brings Blaxploitation to the modern era. You can stream it on Peacock.

5. Cross

I was not sure what to expect when I first heard there would be a television series based on James Patterson’s famous character Alex Cross. The films, Along Came A Spider and Kiss The Girls, were decent but were only about two hours long and very specific to those books. This version is an expansive retelling of his story with a lot to pack in. I think, for the most part, they pulled it off. Consider watching this show if only to enjoy Aldis Hodge’s captivating presence, as he graces nearly every scene with his charm. Check out my full review here and add it to your watchlist if you’re interested in detective procedurals and stories with strong family ties. Stream it on Amazon Prime.

4. Found

This was a great year for shows with diverse casts led by people of color and there were several engaging options to choose from. I have been lamenting the lack of shows that feature women over age 40, but this year we began to see a shift in focus, and more shows have centered Gen Xers. While this wasn’t its first season, Found continues to deliver when it comes to intriguing storylines and centering marginalized people. Read more about one of my all-time favorite shows (yup, it’s that good) here. It airs on NBC and can be streamed on Peacock as well if you prefer to binge it.