As we depart 2023, let’s not forget that the year provided audiences with some of the best shows on the small screen, as last year marked the debut of The Last of Us, Ahsoka, Gen V, to Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. While we cannot wait for the second seasons of some shows, even as we wait on news of renewals of others, we’re also prepared for another thrilling year of new TV entertainment!
Here is our list of the most anticipated TV shows (in order of release date and a mix of old and new) set to grace our screens in 2024. From mind-bending sci-fi epics to gripping fantasy sagas, and fresh, innovative storytelling, the upcoming lineup is nothing short of spectacular.
1. Masters of the Air
Release date: 26 January
Platform: Apple TV+
As the title suggests, Masters of the Air zeroes in on the valiant members of the Air Force, particularly the infamous 100th Bombardment Group, a B-17 Flying Fortress unit in the Eighth Air Force during the Second World War. With a jaw-dropping production cost exceeding US$200 million, this series promises to deliver breathtaking dogfights that showcase the immense scale of the conflict.
The series serves as a companion piece to the revered classics Band of Brothers and The Pacific, as this new venture is backed by the dynamic duo of Steven Spielberg (The Fabelmans) and Tom Hanks (Forrest Gump), returning as producers to guide viewers through the harrowing tales of wartime aviators. The superstar team behind this project also extends to director Cary Fukunaga (True Detective) at the helm, with hotshot actors Austin Butler (Elvis), Barry Keoghan (Saltburn), and Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who) taking flight.
2. Mr. & Mrs. Smith
Release date: 2 February
Platform: Amazon Prime Video
Based on the 2005 film of the same name, this reboot of Mr. & Mrs. Smith follows John and Jane Smith, portrayed by Donald Glover (Solo: A Star Wars Story) and Maya Erskine (PEN15), who are reluctantly thrown together by a shadowy spy agency for perilous missions around the globe. As the duo navigates high-stakes tasks as a fake married couple, they find themselves entangled in complex situations while genuine emotions start to surface. The series looks to weave a tale of dark comedy, high-octane action, and a burgeoning romance that promises to keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
3. Avatar: The Last Airbender
Release date: 22 February
Platform: Netflix
Netflix’s live-action adaptation of the immensely popular animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender seeks to rectify the shortcomings of M. Night Shyamalan’s 2010 film. Set in a war-torn world where people can bend elements, the series follows Aang, the last airbender, tasked with maintaining order and thwarting plans for total domination. The original series was praised for its exceptional art direction and nuanced exploration of themes like loss and adolescence. If Netflix can capture the essence that made the animated series beloved, it has the potential for a major hit.
4. Shōgun
Release date: 27 February
Platform: Disney+
Adapted from James Clavell’s 1975 novel, Shōgun transports us to early 17th century Japan. The narrative unfolds as English sailor John Blackthorne, played by Cosmo Jarvis (Persuasion), becomes a witness to the ascension of daimyo Yoshii Toranaga, portrayed by Hiroyuki Sanada (Bullet Train), amidst a backdrop of political turmoil. Though a work of fiction, the tale draws inspiration from the actual historical conclusion of the Sengoku period. The novel’s vivid portrayal of these events not only secured its place as a best-seller but also ignited a global fascination with Japanese history.
5. 3 Body Problem
Release date: 21 March
Platform: Netflix
Game of Thrones co-creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss are marking their return to television with an adaptation of Liu Cixin’s acclaimed novel, 3 Body Problem, winner of both the Hugo and Nebula Awards. This series delves into a non-linear, multi-generational narrative exploring an alternate history of China. It explores the consequences of astrophysicist Ye’s contact with extraterrestrial beings residing in a chaotic planetary system. For fans of intricate and contemplative sci-fi, this promises to be a must-watch experience.
6. Fallout
Release date: 12 April
Platform: Amazon Prime Video
In the realm of video game adaptations, Fallout stands as a strong contender to emulate the success of The Last of Us. Much like last year’s stellar adaptation of the hit video game franchise, Fallout weaves a post-apocalyptic narrative, infused with dark humour and distinctive visuals. What elevates expectations even further is the involvement of Lisa Joy and Jonathan Nolan, co-creators of Westworld, ensuring Fallout possesses the creative prowess to potentially become a genuine hit.
7. Arcane (Season 2)
Release date: November 2024
Platform: Netflix
Netflix’s animated gem, Arcane, is set to stage its comeback after a three-year hiatus. Known for its ambitious animation style and exceptional character development, Arcane became the first streaming series to win an Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program. Its second season is a moment eagerly anticipated by fans since its debut in 2021, particularly after the suspenseful cliffhanger that left audiences yearning for more.
8. House of the Dragon (Season 2)
Release date: Early Summer 2024
Platform: HBO Max
As a prequel to the fantasy epic Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon’s exploration of Westeros is a magnet for viewership, garnering nearly 10 million viewers with its premiere, 9.3 million viewers with its finale, and averaging 29 million viewers per episode across its first five episodes.
The word is that the show’s second season will finally deliver on the promise of showing dragons on screen. Furthermore, Season 2 is said to deviate from George R.R. Martin’s Fire and Blood novel and introduce its own story, making it interesting to see how events will play out. Let’s just pray that it won’t be a repeat of the final season of Game of Thrones.
9. The Acolyte
Release date: TBA 2024
Platform: Disney+
The Acolyte unfolds in the High Republic era, a canvas untouched by the main Star Wars saga. Melding elements of a crime procedural and a space odyssey, the series intricately traces the nascent shadows of dark powers looming over the galaxy, foretelling an ominous future. In its place as a crime-thriller, The Acolyte promises to be a captivating departure for the iconic Star Wars franchise. What’s more intriguing is that The Acolyte will be told from the point-of-view of the villains, and feature the most Jedi than any other Star Wars film or show to date.
10. The Bear (Season 3)
Release date: TBA 2024
Platform: Disney+
Basking in the glory of the 2024 Golden Globes, The Bear clinched the title of Best Television Series in the Musical or Comedy category. Adding to the triumph, its stellar leads, Ayo Edebiri (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem) and Jeremy Allen White (The Iron Claw), secured their inaugural Golden Globe victories. As Season 3 looms, The Bear promises to revisit its origins, delving into the nerve-wracking and anxiety-fueled tapestry of the restaurant business, reminiscent of the intensity that defined its first season. The continuation of its heart-pounding thrills is sure to be an unmissable spectacle for fans.
11. The Boys (Season 4)
Release date: TBA 2024
Platform: Amazon Prime Video
In the upcoming Season 4 of The Boys, diplomacy hangs in the balance, with congresswoman Victoria Neuman, played by Claudia Doumit (Timeless), inching closer to the Oval Office, all while being manipulated by the villainous Homelander, portrayed by Antony Starr (After the Waterfall). Karl Urban’s (Dredd) Butcher, grappling with the ticking clock of his mortality, has not only lost his son but also his leadership role within The Boys. As the stakes skyrocket and tension ramps up, viewers are left eagerly anticipating how Butcher’s team will unite, confront the escalating threats, and save the world from impending doom.
12. The Penguin
Release date: TBA 2024
Platform: HBO Max
In The Penguin, Colin Farrell (The Banshees of Inisherin) returns in all his transformative glory to reprise his riveting role as the titular character and one of Batman’s most famous rogues. This show seeks to unravel the intriguing ascent of Oswald Cobblepot, transitioning from a mere club owner to a formidable force in Gotham’s underworld. As we eagerly anticipate the sequel to the 2022 hit, The Batman, this series offers a spectacular return to Reeves’ enigmatic Gotham, particularly with the spotlight on this complex and often overlooked character.
13. The Regime
Release date: TBA 2024
Platform: HBO Max
For those mourning the ending of Succession (2024 Golden Globe winner for Best Television Series – Drama), The Regime could fill that void. This limited series marks the reunion of Frank Rich and Will Tracy, the executive producers behind Succession. Tracy, who also contributed as a writer for Succession and The Menu, will undoubtedly enrich The Regime’s writing. Featuring Kate Winslet (Mare of Easttown) as the chancellor of a fading oligarchy, the series unfolds in the twilight of its dominion, a predicament that doesn’t sit comfortably with the chancellor. The jet-black humour ingrained in Succession‘s creative DNA is prominently showcased in this new series.
14. The Umbrella Academy (Season 4)
Release date: TBA 2024
Platform: Netflix
Drawing inspiration from Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá’s eponymous comic book series, Season 4 of The Umbrella Academy promises to navigate the aftermath of the previous season and its enigmatic Kugelblitz event. This cosmic shake-up left the beloved Hargreeves siblings powerless and stranded in a freshly reset universe, a narrative thread rife with storytelling potential. With new characters and adversaries entering the fray, the Hargreeves face the challenge of navigating a perilous landscape without the safety net of their superpowers.
15. You (Season 5)
Release date: TBA 2024
Platform: Netflix
In the impending culmination of the widely praised series, You Season 5 thrusts its anti-hero, Joe, played by Penn Badgley (Gossip Girl), into a captivating setting. Returning to the familiar grounds of New York from the first season, he now wields unprecedented means and connections, rendering him seemingly invincible. This intriguing shift in the narrative sets the stage for our infamous hopeless romantic turned stalker to escalate his obsessive and murderous tendencies. As the story unfolds, viewers are left on the edge, pondering whether Joe will successfully navigate this new terrain and elude the consequences of his chilling exploits.
Bonus – Daredevil: Born Again
Release date: TBA 2024
Platform: Disney+
It was originally scheduled for 2024, but we would be blind if we didn’t point out that Matt Murdock’s long-awaited series debut might be delayed. There’s no denying that several shows on this list are undated, and there’s a high chance that some might be delayed due to last year’s Hollywood strike that impacted production. But Daredevil: Born Again might be further delayed because the show reportedly saw a creative reset on top of the strike, which makes it unlikely to land in 2024.
But if things fall nicely into place, Born Again is set to pick up the narrative threads of Charlie Cox’s (Stardust) Matt Murdock, the blind lawyer who moonlights as the devilish superhero. The 18-episode series, the longest yet for any show set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), is set to continue from the aftermath of Echo, which graced screens in January 2024. Born Again will also see Vincent D’Onofrio (Full Metal Jacket) reprising his iconic role as the formidable Kingpin, and the return of Jon Bernthal’s (The Many Saints of Newark) Frank Castle, last seen in The Punisher, adding another layer of excitement. Because of the creative reset last year, there are indicators that Deborah Ann Woll and Elden Henson, who were not originally announced as part of the show, would also be returning as fan-favourites Karen Page and Foggy Nelson respectively.
Fans, eager to delve back into the world of these characters from the Netflix series, will definitely keep their eyes peeled, curious to witness their integration into the broader MCU.
Edwin is a seasoned raconteur with a lifelong passion for video games, comic books, movies, and more. He thrives on captivating stories and immersive world-building, with a soft spot for adorable monsters.
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