TV has always been a reflection of our times. But in 2024, it feels more like a mirror we can’t look away from.
Take, for example, post-apocalyptic drama Fallout which taps into our need for fantastical escapism (in the form of gun-slinging ghouls and super mutated axolotls) while also intensifying our anxiety that, on a geopolitical level, things could go wrong at any second.
Quirkier shows like Abbott Elementary — now on its fourth season — allow us twenty minutes of peace and silliness while also raising conversations about the public education system.
TV plays a huge role in shaping and reflecting the global cultural landscape, and it’s no wonder that this year’s top TV shows successfully make us reflect on and embrace the times we’re living in. In no particular order, from thought-provoking dramas to kilig-inducing romances and absurd comedies, here are the year’s top TV shows (so far) that reflected our cultural moment.
Arcane (Netflix)
Arcane combines breathtaking visuals, complex characters, and gripping storyline that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The series takes the emotional depth of its first season to new heights, diving deeper into the world of Piltover and Zaun with even more heart-pounding action and powerful twists. Whether you’re a League of Legends fan or a newcomer, it’s a must-watch that blends beautiful art, storytelling, and character development in a way that few shows can.
Interview With The Vampire (AMC, AMC+)
In its second season, Interview with the Vampire has found its stride as a deliciously dark treat that sinks its fangs into both gothic imagination and pop culture. In 2024, as the world feels more chaotic and uncertain than ever, the show’s exploration of immortality feels less like a fantasy and more like a metaphor for how we’re all grappling with the weight of an unpredictable future. Main characters Louis (Jacob Anderson), Armand (Assad Zaman), and Lestat (Sam Reid) are morally ambiguous, dripping with charisma, and unafraid to shy away from portraying a type of loneliness that simultaneously feels timeless and shockingly relevant.
The Penguin (HBO, Max)
While The Penguin at first glance looks like the strange love child of The Sopranos and Batman franchises, underneath its needlessly gritty and dirty aesthetic lies a show that is interested in exploring Gotham City’s unfair class dynamics (against a gloriously violent backdrop). Colin Farrell’s Oswald Cobblepot and Cristin Milioti’s Sofia Falcone ooze with ambition as they go toe-to-toe against each other. Dark, moody, and unapologetically demonstrating the lengths people will go to get on top, The Penguin kept fans guessing until its messy finale.
Bridgerton (Netflix)
Although the much-awaited third season of Netflix’s hit show fell short of expectations, it undoubtedly provided viewers with a melodramatic, pastel escape. The show’s classic romantic tension, steamy moments, and over-the-top dialogue were more than enough to entertain new fans and devout supporters of Bridgerton. Despite contention about how this season holds up against its predecessors, no one can deny that love duo Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton were a welcome distraction from the everyday struggles that come with not being born to an upper-class family in Britain’s Regency era.
Abbott Elementary (ABC, Hulu)
Now in its fourth season, the Emmy Award-winning Abbott Elementary has been widely praised for its original brand of comedy, fresh take on the mockumentary genre, and ability to address the very real issues that plague public school systems in Philadelphia and beyond. Although still ongoing, season four already does an excellent job of balancing comedic bits, big character arc moments (Spoiler alert: Janine and Gregory are finally a thing!), and thoughtful subplots, specifically with the introduction of a newly built golf course that brings with it new people and new structural problems to Abbott Elementary.
The Bear (FX, Hulu)
After the chaos of the second season (ahem the “Forks and Fishes” episode), fans were excited to see how the third season of The Bear could outdo itself. While this season was met with mixed reviews — with some fans voicing frustration about the even slower pace and others praising its focus on character development — The Bear continues to be a show that people can’t stop thinking about even after watching the season finale. From white T-shirts selling out as fans race to copy Carmy Berzatto’s laid-back style to a full-on Jeremy Allen White look-alike contest being organized in Chicago earlier this year, we can’t get enough of the loud traumatizing kitchen nightmare sequence that is The Bear.
Fallout (Amazon Prime Video)
The first season of Amazon’s latest hit series completely reimagines the iconic video game franchise in a way that feels fresh while staying true to what made fans fall in love with the post-apocalyptic world of Fallout. Following the overlapping stories of vault dweller Lucy, knight-wannabe Maximus, and radioactive celebrity-turned-gun-for-hire Cooper Howard (who goes by The Ghoul out in the wastelands), newcomers to Fallout are surprisingly able to easily follow along the smart, action-packed narrative without needing to have ever touched the game (although there are several Easter eggs for those who grew up playing it).
We Are Lady Parts (Peacock)
After an almost three-year wait, we finally have the second season of We Are Lady Parts, Peacock’s comedy about an all-Muslim, all-female punk band. Now facing success of “not insignificant proportions” (lead guitarist Amina’s words), the band must navigate their newfound moderate-level fame. At the same time, each band member is faced with their own personal struggle this season, such as entering their self-proclaimed “villain era” or coming out to their parents. Honorable mentions include the season’s song numbers like “Jimmy Ate My Yoghurt” (the anthem for all disgruntled corporate girlies) and “Malala Made Me Do It.”
Industry (HBO)
Industry returned with a high-stakes, high-glamor bang in its third season as the cutthroat world of Gen Z finance gets even wilder. Show creators Mickey Down and Konrad Kay level up on the chaos and drama, exploring how main characters Harper, Yasmin, and newcomer Sweetpea dive deeper into the dark, dirty world of investment banking. The series is filled with alienating finance jargon and over-the-top office politics, but at its core it is about the all too relatable struggle of young people trying to find their footing as they enter the workforce for the first time. Power struggles, betrayals, and finance bros abound — it’s corporate warfare in the world of Industry.
Drag Race Philippines (WOW Presents Plus)
Drag Race Philippines’ third season served up fierce, high-stakes glam with a twist of drama that kept fans on the edge of their seats all the way until the grand finale. This season, the queens brought killer runway looks, jaw-dropping performances, and some addressing of old drama (e.g. rotating judge Rajo Laurel calling Eva Le Queen ‘trash’ in the first season). With a fierce mix of creativity, charisma, and charm, these queens gave it their all this season.
Culinary Class Wars (Netflix)
The South Korean cooking competition released its first season this September, much to surprising success. It’s like Netflix’s other South Korean reality show, Physical: 100, except way more intense as it takes 100 chefs from different parts of the culinary industry and has them compete in a dramatic gastronomic showdown. It’s a high-stakes battle where every dish tells a story, every strategy gets tested, and the heat of competition brings out the best — and the worst — in every contestant.
