Our Favorite TV Shows of 2024 (Network & Cable)

Posted by By our-little-miss-is-home December 29, 2024 5 Views 6 Min Read
Our Favorite TV Shows of 2024 (Network & Cable)

Summary

  • Shogun garnered critical acclaim, depicting Japanese culture authentically.
  • The Penguin showcased exceptional performances and writing, standing out in the superhero genre.
  • Superman & Lois ended the Arrowverse with a gripping finale.

It’s been another great year for TV shows with gripping new limited series, returning seasons of old favorites, and fresh original stories making their way to screens around the globe.

TV shows are released on all sorts of platforms nowadays, but primetime viewing on network and cable channels still delivers the goods. Game Rant has already rounded up some of the best series on different streaming services this year. So, instead, this list is dedicated to all the shows that were not just released on streaming and instead were produced for network or cable channels like HBO, ABC, and FX.

Disney Plus Best Shows 2024

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Our Favorite Disney Plus Shows Of 2024

Disney Plus had a strong year in 2024, delivering some fantastic television shows to keep people entertained.

Shogun

Shōgun was an exceptional series out of 2024. A big-budget modern adaptation of James Clavell’s classic novel of historical Japanese fiction was undoubtedly a risk for FX, but it’s one that paid off after Shōgun earned a record number of Emmys at the 2024 ceremony. The critical acclaim was well-deserved as the series established itself as a respectful and authentic portrayal of Japanese culture during a pivotal period in history. Shōgun delivered a riveting story with enough high-stakes and character-driven drama to rival that of Game of Thrones. The performances were exceptional, particularly those of Hiroyuki Sanada (Lord Toranaga) and Anna Sawai (Lady Mariko), and the dialogue being presented largely in Japanese was a milestone for a series of this scale in Hollywood.

The Penguin

With Matt Reeves’ The Batman providing audiences with another gripping take on the Caped Crusader in 2022 and The Batman: Part 2 only getting further away, The Penguin served as a nice stopgap between installments and is one that threatens to outshine its source. Colin Farrell stars in the series as Oz Cobb, aka the Penguin (a character he played in the 2022 film), who takes his chance to seize power in Gotham after the fall of Carmine Falcone.

Farrell’s performance, plus that of Cristin Milioti as Sofia Gigante and Rhenzy Feliz as Victor Aguila, are standouts from the year and were elevated thanks to The Penguin’s excellent writing and tone. The series was a surprising reminder that the heroes don’t always have the most interesting story, and the HBO series managed to bring Oz’s journey to life in a riveting manner. The Penguin brought a taste of premium HBO quality to superhero series and managed to serve as not just an excellent spin-off from The Batman but an outstanding TV series in its own right.

Superman and Lois – Season 4

The CW’s Arrowverse officially came to an end in 2024 with the conclusion of Superman & Lois. The TV-friendly take on one of DC’s most famed superheroes followed Superman (Tyler Hoechlin) in his era of being a father and husband, focusing on the Man of Steel’s split focus as a family man and world savior. Season 4 was an effective finale for the series and saw Superman face his greatest threats yet, including his iconic foe Doomsday. Despite skewing toward a younger audience, Superman & Lois felt different from other Arrowverse shows in its cinematography and themes. That continued to the tragic end of Superman & Lois Season 4, but it still managed to be a touching send-off for the superhero TV universe.

The Bear – Season 3

The Bear has quickly become a favorite series of viewers all around the globe. The series’ frantic insight into the high-stakes restaurant world paired with its deep character drama and eclectic humor have made it a repeat winner at awards shows and a beloved series by audiences.

Season 3 of the FX show saw Carmy and his restaurant staff deal with the ramifications of the friends-and-family night at their new spot The Bear, plus attempt to launch it as a Michelin-star-worthy establishment. Ayo Edebiri and Ebon Moss-Bachrach remained standouts as Sydney and Richie, plus Jamie Lee-Curtis returned in Season 3 as Carmy’s mother for another standout episode. Season 3 of The Bear also wasn’t afraid to play with style and introduced even more standout episodes that rival that of “Fishes” and “Spoons“.

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