8 Favorite Limited Series of 2024: The Penguin, Baby Reindeer, and More

2024 was a standout year limited and anthology series, with creators pushing the boundaries of storytelling in captivating and unexpected ways.

This year’s standout limited series offered something for every kind of viewer, from gritty crime sagas to emotionally charged true stories.

In no particular order, here are our favorite limited and anthology series of 2024:

1. The Penguin

The Penguin truly brought the crime epic to the “Batman Epic Crime Saga.” The series follows Colin Farrell’s Oz as he tries to climb the top of Gotham City and, along the way, deconstructs his “working class hero” self-image.

Though titled The Penguin, the true star of the series is Oz’s main rival, Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti, who proves she’s got chops to spare even outside of comedy). The Penguin is a tasty appetizer for The Batman: Part II, yet also a plenty satisfying experience all its own.

2. Interior Chinatown

Riddled with mystery and heartfelt drama, Interior Chinatown is a delightful watch. The show unravels the story through various creative television formats, including using serialized detective shows as a framing device.

In addition to exploring the history and importance of Chinatown, the setting of the story makes the story so much richer. Not only that, the main character, Willis Wu, is a compelling hero.

He spends most of the show seeking to break free from the shadows, and as viewers, we can’t help but root for him as he embarks on the journey to find out what happened to his brother. He’s inspiring enough to show that anyone can become the main character of the story if they have the determination.

3. Say Nothing

FX’s excellent adaptation of of the 2018 nonfiction book of the same name by journalist Patrick Radden Keefe, Say Nothing is one part history lesson, one part tragedy, one part full-throated excoriation of systemic oppression, one part meditation on the psychological trauma of political violence, and one part lyrical ode to those who lost their lives during the decades-long period known colloquially as the Troubles.

The story follows several members of the Provisional Irish Republican Army in Belfast over the decades-long period of violent conflict, as the lines between freedom fighter, politician, and murderer grow blurrier and more uncomfortable.

Bolstered by a fantastic cast led by Lola Petticrew and Maxine Peake as older and younger versions of IRA member Delours Price, the story is told across dual timelines and deftly juggles historical truth and mythmaking alongside questions that have no easy answers.

4. Under the Bridge

Under the Bridge, based on the true story of the murder of Reena Virk, stands out for its raw portrayal of evil and redemption. Winning performances from Lily Gladstone and Riley Keough as the two main adult characters involved in the case, Cam and Rebecca, bolsters a cast of young newcomers.

Released in an era where true crime is under more scrutiny for how it handles the stories of victims, the show tries to honor the memory of Virk while also exploring the realities and failures of the juvenile justice system.

There are no heroes in this story, and the villains aren’t always what they seem, either. Under the Bridge’s decision to embrace the complexities of humanity over sensationalizing real events makes it a marquee example of how to tell these kinds of stories.

5. Baby Reindeer

One of the most unusually intriguing series that was released on Netflix this year had to be Baby Reindeer. Unlike other drama miniseries, not only was this really grounded and thrilling overall, but it was based on comedian Richard Gadd’s experiences.

Watching Donny have to deal with this creepy stalker in Martha in the way that it escalated was really intense! Gadd, who also stars in this, and Jessica Gunning are very compelling and will keep you captivated in the end.

6. Masters of the Air

Set during the height of World War II, Masters of the Air follows the boys assigned to the 100th Bomb Group, later to be known as the Bloody 100. We see these young men face their biggest fears and go on mission after mission they are sure they won’t come back from.

Austin Butler, Callum Turner, Anthony Boyle, and Barry Keoghan draw us in with their fresh-faced, full-of-fire personalities. We find ourselves rooting for them and some of the other characters to survive, despite knowing most of them probably won’t.

By the time we say goodbye to these boys, having survived POW camps and the Beaches of Normandy, it is with a heavy heart and a better understanding of all these boys faced. Amongst a plethora of other WWII-centered movies and series, this one stands out as being completely human, allowing viewers to better understand the realities of war in a non-romanticized way.

7. True Detective: Night Country

True Detective: Night Country was a much-needed breath of fresh air this year. Its thrilling season delved into mythology and what lies beyond rather than sticking to the typical true crime formula of previous seasons.

Jodie Foster and Kali Reis played some of the most complex characters yet, and their partnership is part of the reason Night Country has been the best season so far. Issa Lopez turned this show into a new direction, and it’s thrilling that she will helm the next installment.

8. The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live

The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live is a six-episode limited series centering on the intense love story between Rick and Michonne. It is an intimate narrative that allows for deeper character and relationship development.

The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live expands The Walking Dead Universe by introducing the Civic Republic, a large military faction in Philadelphia. This glimpse into a more organized and technologically advanced post-apocalyptic world is long-awaited.

New Walker species and zombie-related challenges add much-needed elements of horrific surprise.

The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live showcases improved visuals and production quality, with more ambitious set pieces, locations, and special effects. It thrills with tighter storytelling and satisfying narrative arcs while adhering to the core themes fans have come to expect from the franchise.

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Contributions by: Mads Misasi, Lacy Baugher, Breeze Riley, Devin Meenan, Sam Huang, Gabriela Burgos, Christopher Gallardo, and Char Gibb.

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