2024 TV Trends: A Look Ahead

Two of the top shows of 2024 were Mr. Bates vs The Post Office and Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Mr. Bates, which aired on ITV, told the true story of sub-postmasters wrongly prosecuted due to faulty software, sparking an outcry and a public inquiry. Despite its high viewership, ITV’s managing director called it a failure due to financial losses and lower viewership compared to previous years. On the other hand, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, a comedy spy drama on Prime, was praised for its ability to blend romance and thriller elements effectively.

In the streaming world, Netflix continued to dominate with popular shows like Bridgerton, Emily in Paris, and 3 Body Problem. While some shows like Shōgun were critiqued for feeling pretentious and lacking genuine human connection, others like The Diplomat, Girls5Eva, and One Day were praised for their warmth and relatable characters.

Apple TV+ also had standout shows like Slow Horses, Bad Monkey, and Pachinko, proving that good prestige TV is still possible with strong plots and well-developed characters. Similarly, Fargo on Amazon Prime Video received praise for its return to form in its fifth season, with a standout performance by Juno Temple.

HBO’s The Penguin, a crime-dynasty drama set in a Batman universe, was highlighted as a successful franchise model, while Disney+ offered unique adaptations like Rivals and true crime dramas like Under the Bridge and Say Nothing. Despite mixed reviews, Death and Other Details stood out for its exceptional performances.

Overall, 2024 brought a mix of successes and failures in the TV industry, with some shows standing out for their engaging storytelling and well-developed characters, while others fell short in capturing audience attention.