Baby Reindeer, One Day, Ripley, Rivals... the 20 best tv shows of 2024
Marjorie Brennan's TV picks for over the festive season include Baby Reindeer, One Day, and Ripley,
This chilling story of a female stalker, based on the experiences of its star, comedian Richard Gadd, came out of nowhere to be one of the year’s most talked about shows. A challenging watch, its origins led to controversy but that didn’t stop it being lavished with six Emmys, including one for the brilliant Jessica Gunning.
This TV adaptation of David Nicholls’ phenomenally successful book hit all the right notes (we have wiped the film version from our minds). The story of Dexter and Emma — brilliantly played by Leo Woodall and Ambika Mod — told on the same day across 20 years, captured the hearts of a new generation, while the fantastic soundtrack transported the rest of us back to the smartphone-free days and nights of our youth.
The challenge for the second season of this show, created by the one-woman creative powerhouse that is Sharon Horgan, was how to continue after the dispatch of its evil raison d’être in season one.
It pivoted with varying degrees of success — notably less comedy — but the sisters were as watchable as ever.
After a 1993 TV version of Jilly Cooper’s hit novel Riders bombed, it had been considered a nigh-on impossible task to successfully adapt her hugely popular series of 80s bonkbusters set among the horsey set in the fictional English county of Rutshire.
However, Disney Plus rose, ahem, to the challenge, serving up a polished adaptation of the Riders follow-up Rivals for a hugely grateful cohort of Rupert Campbell-Black fans. With another season announced, we can’t wait for second helpings.
Broadcaster John Creedon brought his customary charm and curiosity to bear in this engaging exploration of Ireland’s musical identity, from Iron Age trumpets to hunger strike anthems. More of a snapshot than a deep dive but hugely entertaining nonetheless.
The Irish language station is a consistent producer of excellent documentaries. This beautifully crafted and heart-warming three-parter follows the children and staff of two naíonras, one in Mallow, Co Cork and the other in Tallaght in Dublin.
We see the children learning Gaeilge, acquiring vital communication skills and most importantly, making friends. An absolute tonic.
Those of a certain age will remember the 1980 mini-series adaptation of James Clavell’s novel starring Richard Chamberlain as English sailor John Blackthorne.
This wonderfully atmospheric version is a deeper exploration of the feudal system in 17th century Japan where Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) is enlisted by Lord Toranaga — a fantastic Hiroyuki Sanada — in his struggle for power.
What do women want? The simple answer is a modern, smart and sophisticated rom-com.
This tale of a rabbi romancing the host of a sex podcast had some rough edges, but it was the chemistry between Kirsten Bell and Adam Brody that people responded to in their droves. The announcement of a second season was a no-brainer.
This co-production, which debuted in 2020, took a while to get into its stride but truly arrived in its third season, especially with the addition of Game Of Thrones star Kit Harington to the cast.
The fast-paced show focuses on a group of young graduates making their way in the ruthless world of finance. One for those who are still missing the adrenaline-fuelled trip into the moral abyss that was Succession.
Deserving of plaudits for the pun-tastic name alone, this compelling documentary brings us up to the oche for a sport which is enjoying a well-deserved renaissance. It follows some of the contenders through the eventful 2024 World Championships at ‘Ally Pally’ — the production team knew what they were doing when they decided the then relative unknown Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler would be one of them.
Not another Batman spin-off, I hear you cry. However, this skilfully realised origin story is worth the investment, with Irish actor Colin Farrell showing us why he’s still one of the best of the business as Oswald Cobb aka The Penguin.
Also featuring a scene-stealing turn from Cristin Milioti as Sofia Falcone. Both Farrell and Falcone have been nominated for Golden Globes.
Going head-to-head with Farrell for a Golden Globe will be fellow Dub Andrew Scott, nominated for his role in this version of the much-adapted Patricia Highsmith novel The Talented Mr Ripley. Director Steve Zaillian’s black-and-white approach divided viewers but there was no doubt about the quality of Scott’s performance or the cinematic beauty of the Italian setting.
This adaptation of a French show was a breath of fresh air, as an audience of autistic, neurodivergent and learning disabled people quizzed Welsh actor Michael Sheen on everything from the royal family to his favourite Disney show. The question from shy contributor Leo on Dylan Thomas, and Sheen’s answer, understandably went viral.
The fourth instalment of the drama centring on a gang of outcast spies lacked the suspense and coherence of plot that characterised previous seasons but it is still one of the best shows on the box — sharp, funny and with a brilliant cast. There wasn’t enough of Jackson Lamb (a superlative Gary Oldman) in this one but he still gets all the best one-liners.
Martha Stewart is a particularly American phenomenon but this documentary about the woman who brought her sophisticated lifestyle to the masses, doing a stint in prison and becoming besties with Snoop Dogg along the way, was a fascinating watch. She came across as unapologetically haughty and rude, but one was left admiring her determination and ability to stay culturally relevant.
Based on the book about the conflict in Northern Ireland by US journalist Patrick Radden Keefe, this ambitious production took an immensely complicated narrative, with the disappearance of Jean McConville as a focal point, and crafted it into a riveting and profoundly affecting drama.
The Irish language is certainly having a cultural moment right now, as Kneecap take over the world. This accomplished six-part crime drama set around Gweedore, Co Donegal, tapped into the zeitgeist, and was the first Irish language show to be given a prime-time slot on BBC Northern Ireland.
We could all do with a laugh these days and this US comedy centred on the adventures of gay teacher Evan Marquez (Brian Jordan Alvarez) provided more than its fair share. Culture war topics are treated with a light touch while Marquez tries to sidestep the various tripwires set by his wily students, to hilarious effect.
After a promising start, the second series of this Irish answer to Fleabag didn’t disappoint, with Shiv (Roisin Gallagher) still trying to stay sober as her family situation grew even more chaotic. Some great new cast additions in Sam Keeley and Michael McElhatton and a smart script from Nancy Harris combined to satisfying effect.
An escapist watch par excellence, the second season of this extremely bingeable political thriller focusing on US Ambassador to Britain Kate Wyler (Keri Russell) was as glossy and entertaining as the first. Rufus Sewell as Wyler’s roguish but protective husband Hal brings a touch of class — and there was the added bonus of an appearance from West Wing alumna Alison Janney.
