Ashley Bissette Sumerel’s Top 10 TV Shows of 2024

With TV coming back in full force following the writers’ and actors’ strikes that put much of it on hold, 2024 had plenty to offer. My favorite shows this year ranged from those that made me laugh out loud to ones that made me bawl my eyes out—and a few that managed to do both.

Two prequel spinoffs made my list, and of course, I couldn’t leave out some vampires. For anyone who’s followed my writing about TV for a while, most of this list won’t come as a surprise.

In no particular order, here are my top 10 TV shows of 2024:

1. Shrinking

This is the show I tell everyone I know to make sure they’re watching. Shrinking, which I also included on our list of TV shows we’re thankful for this year, is funny, heartbreaking, and just brilliantly written.

The characters are all unique and specific, and the way the series moved forward with new explorations in Season 2 was thoughtful and profound. Bringing in a new perspective about Jimmy’s wife’s death changed everything, adding even more depth to the storytelling.

Plus, this season featured some fun guest stars for fans of Bill Lawrence’s and Jason Segel’s other work, not to mention Brett Goldstein joining the cast.

2. A Man on the Inside

A Man on the Inside, the new Netflix comedy starring Ted Danson, felt like a gift this year. For anyone missing The Good Place, this is your next comedy to watch if you haven’t already seen it.

The show comes from Michael Schur, reuniting with Ted Danson for another thought-provoking, laugh-out-loud series that Danson clearly enjoyed every minute of filming. And as funny as it is, it’s also the kind of comedy that pulls at your heartstrings.  Thankfully, A Man on the Inside has been renewed for a second season.

3. Nobody Wants This

It’s possible I watched Nobody Wants This faster than any other show this year. The rom-com series starring Kristen Bell and Adam Brody is sweet and funny, unapologetic, and brings together characters that are the precise definition of “opposites attract.” I mean, we’re looking at a priest and a podcaster who talks about sex for a living.

The possibilities there are endless, and the chemistry between Bell and Brody oozes off the screen. More than that, there are thought-provoking conversations about religion and self-discovery that make the storytelling even more captivating. 

4. Young Sheldon

The Big Bang Theory spinoff Young Sheldon aired its final season this year, and with its consistently funny and heartwarming stories, it also offered the most emotional episode of television I’ve seen in a long time. George Sr.’s death was something viewers knew was coming, yet it still felt shocking when it aired.

The show’s portrayal of the family’s grief and dealing with the news is a relatable, honest portrayal of loss. That storyline, and the final season overall, hits all the right notes.

5. Resident Alien

Resident Alien is a show I was late to the party for, but boy, am I glad I caught up on it this year. Alan Tudyk is a riot as Harry Vanderspeigle, an alien in a human body who learns what it means to become exactly that: human. It’s entirely bizarre, and it’s funny instead of silly at just the right times.

The characters are perfect, and the most recent season — which includes a bit of romance and higher emotional stakes, is the best yet. It also ends on a cliffhanger, so it’s great news that the show has been renewed for another season.

6. The Lincoln Lawyer

The Netflix drama centered on Michael Haller, a lawyer known for working out of his Lincoln Town Car, is the definition of binge-worthy TV. It’s a legal drama that keeps viewers on their toes at every turn, with the perfect amount of mystery and suspense while remaining somewhat lighthearted. 

The Lincoln Lawyer is also another example of a show on my list where the characters stand out for being well-rounded, unique, and simply fun to watch.

7. Interview with the Vampire

I remain impressed by the AMC adaptation of Anne Rice’s The Vampire Chronicles. Interview with the Vampire Season 2 furthered Louis’s story while beginning to show some differing perspectives and ultimately centered on the idea that our memories aren’t always the truth.

The inclusion of Armand in the storytelling as Louis recounts what happened with Claudia’s death and the relationship between Louis and Lestat made for some of the most compelling, hauntingly beautiful television of the year. 

8. Grey’s Anatomy

If you follow much of my writing, you likely expected this one. Even when Grey’s Anatomy isn’t at its best, it’s still consistently one of my favorite TV shows.

Considering its longevity, how it continues to honor its early seasons, and the evolution of its characters, it deserves more critical praise than it often gets. 21 seasons in, and it’s bringing in older characters in smart ways, allowing stories to come full circle over the course of two decades, and still manages to be surprising and tell stories that matter.

This year has done just that, with the entirety of Grey’s Anatomy Season 20 (a shortened season) calling back to Bailey’s days as the mentor to the original group of interns and Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 saying goodbye to characters in profound ways.

9. Found

Found Season 2 took an already fascinating, unique take on a network procedural and raised the stakes in some major ways.

With Sir now on the loose and Gabi’s secret revealed, the show is even more intense and thought-provoking. Mark-Paul Gosselaar continues to give the performance of a lifetime as the complex villain, and the members of M&A continue to work past their own issues in more complicated ways.

The show also tells important stories as Gabi and her team work to look for missing people who would otherwise be overlooked. It’s excellent, emotional storytelling that just keeps getting better.

10. Dexter: Original Sin

I was hesitant about the idea of a Dexter prequel series, but after one episode, I was completely convinced. The casting is fantastic with the likes of Christian Slater, Patrick Dempsey, and Sarah Michelle Gellar, but it’s the actors playing young versions of Dexter, Deb, Masuka, and Angel that really put it over the top.

The attention to detail for the prequel is excellent — even more so since it’s inspired me to re-watch the original series from the beginning.

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What were your favorite TV shows of 2024? Let us know in the comments!

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