Every year, the process of narrowing down the literal hundreds of shows that air on broadcast TV, come through your cable boxes, and stream on your favorite platforms can be a challenge. But sometimes, when you know, you know, and the five series which topped our Best TV Shows of 2024 list all defined that.
As part of the 2024 Annual Report, we considered all of this year’s television for inclusion, and many of the shows in our Top 5 were featured on our mid-year list. This includes the jaw-dropping spectacle of Shōgun, starring TV Performer of the Year Anna Sawai, which brought feudal Japan to life on a whole new level.
Additionally, we were blown away (too soon?) by the fascinating and irreverent apocalypse depicted in Prime Video’s Fallout. Another genre show — the revival of X-Men ’97 — proved that even a revival of a classic children’s cartoon could tell a mature story that would resonate with adults.
Plus, there were two comedies that spoke authentically to where we are today, while never skimping on the laughs: The third season of Hacks wasn’t just this year’s Emmy winner for Best Comedy Series, but a frank exploration of Hollywood’s worst and best qualities. And English Teacher brought together an incredible team of talent while showcasing the unique charms of creator and star Brian Jordan Alvarez, leading to a series that we knew from the beginning would be one of the best of the year.
See our Top 5 TV Shows of the Year highlight video above, and check out the full list here. Make sure to peep our complete 2024 Annual Report for more exclusive interviews (like with our Film Performer of the Year, Timothée Chalamet) and best-of lists (like the 50 Best Albums of the Year). Plus, you can check out our new Consequence UNCUT: Annual Report podcast exclusively on Amazon Music, featuring a staff discussion of our Best Albums list, plus interviews with Chalamet, Sawai, Composers of the Year Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross (plus their Challengers [MIXED] collaborator Boys Noize), Comedian of the Year Nikki Glaser, and more!
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