Autumn is officially here and the (often) miserable British weather means there's always a good excuse to cancel your plans and start a new TV show – and thankfully this year we've been spoilt for choice. So, if you want to find out the best new TV series 2024 has to offer, you've come to the right place.
From novel adaptations to comedy debuts, 2024 was off to a strong start on the TV front. The White Lotus star Leo Woodall and This is Going to Hurt's Ambika Mod took centre stage in David Nicholls' Netflix adaption of One Day in February, and spring brought us the exciting debut comedy Big Mood, which stars Bridgerton and Derry Girls actor Nicola Coughlan and It's a Sin star Lydia West.
Earlier this summer, Benedict Cumberbatch's show Eric came out on Netflix, the long-awaited TV adaptation of the popular novel Queenie landed on Channel 4, as did the return of We Are Lady Parts. Looking ahead to the rest of 2024, there are still plenty of shows to get excited about: Emily in Paris, for one, is returning in September, Love is Blind UK is coming to Netflix for the first time in August and we're waiting very patiently for the third season of And Just Like That. To put it another way, we might still be living in a bleak and unaffordable world, but there are no more excuses to sit on the sofa watching old episodes of Grand Designs and Dinner Date this year (although we won't blame you if you do).
Without further ado, here's a list of the best new TV series 2024 has delivered so far. And for those who are a bit behind, you can find all the best shows to catch up on at the bottom of this article.
What are the best new TV series of 2024?
Bad Sisters, Season 2 – 13 November, Apple TV+
The Garvey sisters are back. The globally acclaimed comedy drama series Bad Sisters will return for season two this November. From Emmy Award-nominee and BAFTA Award-winning executive producer and star Sharon Horgan, the eight-episode second season will air one episode a week until Christmas Day. We can't wait.
Black Doves – 5 December, Netflix
Keira Knightley is back in the fold in Netflix’s new thriller. It's set to land on the platform sometime in 2024. They've kept the plot largely under wraps, but here's what we know about Black Doves so far: 'The series follows Helen embarking on a passionate affair that endangers her carefully constructed web of subterfuge.'
Squid Game, Series 2 – 26 December, Netflix
The terrifying fatal gameshow that's won multiple awards, become a real life reality show and inspired halloween costumes around the world is returning. The first series of Squid Game became a global phenomenon and the second one is coming to Netflix later this year. It will follow Gi-hun as he abandons his plans to go to the US and starts a chase with a motive.
Shows to catch up on in 2024:
The Office Australia – Streaming now, Amazon Prime Video
Aside from being one of the most quoted and referenced comedies of the past 25 years, you'd be forgiven for thinking The Office was a relic from the past. Not in the land down under, it seems. An Australian spin-off of the famous sitcom is out this month, with a female David Brent/ Michael Scott. Hannah Howard is played by Felicity Ward and she too is the managing director of a dwindling packaging company. Ricky Gervais said he 'can't wait to see' how the Australians have modernised his scripts.
Rivals – Streaming now, Disney+
The original eight-part blockbuster is based on the iconic novel by Dame Jilly Cooper, which is part of her Rutshire Chronicles series packed full of romantic entanglements, dastardly deals, sex and wit. It stars Emily Atack, Danny Dyer, David Tennant and Luke Pasqualino. If that's not a motley crew, we don't know what is.
Disclaimer – Streaming now, Apple TV+
Disclaimer is a 2024 psychological thriller written and directed by Alfonso Cuarón, based on the 2015 novel of the same name by Renée Knight. Cate Blanchett, who is enough to captivate any audience, plays Catherine Ravenscroft, a respected journalist and documentarian renowned for uncovering difficult truths. That is until a key character in a long-buried story exposes her darkest secret.
Sweatpea – Streaming now, NOW
Described as a 'coming-of-rage' thriller, Rhiannon (played by Yellow Jackets' Ella Purnell) is often dismissed, overlooked and ignored. That's until she's pushed over the edge and loses all control, but can she get away with murder? This eight-part series based on C.J. Skuse's novel of the same name is deviously twisted and darkly comic.
Heartstopper, Season 3 – Streaming now, Netflix
Back by popular demand, the hit coming of age story is returning for a third series. Nick and Charlie’s relationship is set to deepen and our favourites will face their biggest emotional challenges yet. series creator and writer Alice Oseman says, 'While Heartstopper will always celebrate the joyful and point towards hope, I’m really excited that we are allowing the tone of the show to mature alongside our beloved characters growing up.'
Industry, Season 3 – Streaming now, BBC
The BBC and HBO have released first look images of the third season of Industry, where money, government and class collide. Fans are set to be plunged back into the unrelenting world of high-finance, cocaine and workplace affairs. Rather unfairly, US viewers have been able to watch the new series since August, but finally our turn.
Joan – Streaming now, ITVX
Woman of the moment, Sophie Turner stars as the notorious jewel thief Joan Hannington in ITV's upcoming drama. The six-part series is based on the protagonist's memoir, I Am What I Am: The True Story of Britain’s Most Notorious Jewel Thief, and is set in vibrant 1980s London.
La Maison – Streaming now, Apple TV+
This 10-part French-language family drama is set within an iconic Paris-based high-fashion atelier. A behind-the-scenes look at the contemporary, ever-evolving world of fashion and aspirational French elegance and luxury, La Maison follows two illustrious, dysfunctional and powerful rival families as they vie for dominance in the cutthroat world of high fashion. Episodes will air one at a time on Fridays until November.
In Vogue: The 90s – Streaming now, Disney+
This series, split into two parts (the second part is out on 20 September), offers a peek behind the curtains of the 90s most defining fashion moments with Hamish Bowles, Edward Enninful, Tonne Goodman, Anna Wintour and Naomi Campbell - to name a few. Each episode in this six-part series centres on a defining 90s moment.
Selling Sunset, Season 8– Streaming now, Netflix
The glamorous Oppenheim agents of LA are back for an eighth season, and Chrishell, Mary, Amanza, Bre, Chelsea and Emma are preparing for an all-out real estate war. The girls are back in their most expensive shoes trying to flog multi-million pound houses to multi-millionaires, while pocketing a fair amount of commission themselves. And fans absolutely love it.
Funny Woman, Season 2 – Streaming now, Sky Max and NOW
Gemma Arterton returns as the nation’s favourite comic actress, Sophie Straw, with the series seeing Sophie juggle her career, as well as her fledgling romance with Arsher Ali’s dashing Dennis Mahindra. It explores the themes of love, gender equality, LGBTQ rights, representation in comedy, all against the backdrop and cultural explosion of the swinging 1960s.
The Perfect Couple – Streaming now, Netflix
There's a new picket fence murder mystery coming to Netflix called The Perfect Couple, starring Nicole Kidman, Dakota Fanning and Bad Sisters' Eve Hewson. It follows Amelia Sacks, a bride marrying into one of Nantucket’s wealthiest families. The groom’s mother, Greer Garrison Winbury (Nicole Kidman), a famous novelist, spares no expense on the high-society wedding. But, when a dead body appears on the beach, everyone’s Champagne dreams quickly vanish and are replaced by suspicion.
Slow Horses, Season 4 – Streaming now, Apple TV+
Slow Horses is a British spy thriller based on the Slough House series of novels by Mick Herron. The series premiered on Apple TV+ on 1 April 2022 and in January this year it was renewed for its forth series. In the show, Slough House is an administrative purgatory for MI5 service rejects who have fumbled their jobs but haven't been fired. Those consigned there are known as the 'slow horses'.
Colin from Accounts, Season 2 – Streaming now, BBC Two
This Australian romantic comedy written by real life married couple Harriet Dyer and Patrick Brammall was a word of mouth smash hit in the UK – and with good reason. So fans will be over the moon to hear that the second series is about to land on BBC Two. When we last caught up with Ashley and Gordon, they had just decided to give their dog Colin back to his original owner, but after driving away finally free from the burden of responsibility, they realised they may have changed their minds. If you haven't seen season one, catch up quickly.
Kaos – Streaming now, Netflix
In _K_aos, Zeus (Jeff Goldblum) is equal parts egomaniacal and paranoid – a combustive combination that spells danger for the mortals over whom he intends to assert dominance. The eight-part black comedy from Charlie Covell sees Mount Olympus fall into disarray under his rule, and it falls to three mortals to save the day.
Emily in Paris, Season 4 – Streaming now, Netflix
Love it or hate it, everyone's guilty pleasure is back for a fourth season in 2024. Our favourite expat Emily is still very much still in Paris, her outfitsare amazing, her love life is still a mess and the cliffhangers from season three are yet to be resolved. We can't wait to see what nonsensical storylines and outrageous outfits the show has in store. The final five episodes land on Netflix on 12 September.
The Bear, Season 3 – Streaming now, Disney+
Oddly billed as a comedy, this high intensity show is not one to watch if you're feeling stressed. The kitchen dramedy follows chef Carmen as he takes over his late brother's old sandwich deli and aims to turn it into a Michelin star restaurant. It's the show that propelled starlet Ayo Edebiri to fame and made Jeremy Allen White the face of 'rodent boy summer'. It's third season is arguably the best to date and will leave you on the edge of your seat (and hungry).
Supacell – Streaming now, Netflix
When five ordinary South Londoners discover they have extraordinary powers, it's down to one man to bring them together to save the woman he loves. The six-part series was written and created by Rapman and features an impressive ensemble cast including features an ensemble cast, including Tosin Cole, Adelayo Adedayo, Josh Tedeku, Nadine Mills, Eric Kofi-Abrefa, Calvin Demba, Ghetts, Digga D and Eddie Marsan.
House of the Dragon – Streaming now, NOW TV
For Game of Thrones fans who are tired of rewatching their favourite show, may we turn your attention towards this hit prequel, House of the Dragon, which is now in its second series. Ahead of the launch of series two, HBO even announced it had been renewed for a third, so you better catch up quickly.
Diane Von Furstenburg: Woman in Charge – Streaming now, Disney+
The upcoming docuseries is an unprecedented look at the non-stop life of a cultural luminary, Diane von Furstenberg. This documentary, co-directed by two-time Academy Award-winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and Trish Dalton, shows how von Furstenberg’s life has exemplified empowerment, resilience, entrepreneurship, and style.
Becoming Karl Lagerfeld – Streaming now, Disney+
Kaiser Karl is the upcoming French original series chronicling the rise of fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld through the world of 1970s Parisian high fashion. It's set in 1972 when Lagerfeld, aged 38, was a little-known fashion designer. After meeting and falling in love with Jacques de Bascher, he finds himself in competition with Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé, the head of the most prestigious fashion brand around.
Queenie – Streaming now, Channel 4
It's taken five years, but Candace Carty-Williams’ beloved 2019 novel has finally been given the small screen treatment. Newcomer Dionne Brown stars as the titular Queenie, a twenty-something Jamaican British woman straddling two cultures in London.
We Are Lady Parts, Season 2 – Streaming now, Channel 4
The band is getting back together! Channel 4's BAFTA-winning comedy, following an all-female Muslim rock band (catch up on All4 if you’re behind) and starring Anjana Vasan, is back for series two, giving you time to catch up on the first episodes on the Channel 4 website. Look out for an extra special cameo in series two – Malala herself makes a cameo...
Insomnia – Streaming now, Paramount+
The brilliant Vicky McClure stars in this tense psychological thriller adapted from Sarah Pinborough's bestselling novel. The Line of Duty actress plays a woman who suddenly stops sleeping – and finds her life starting to unravel.
Eric – Streaming now, Netflix
Set in a gritty 1980s New York and created by Abi Morgan, creator of The Split, Eric sees Benedict Cumberbatch take the leads as a father desperately trying to find his missing nine-year-old son.
Bridgerton, Season 3 – Streaming now, Netflix
The Shondaland series is set to dive into Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin Bridgerton’s (Luke Newton) romance – a narrative sidestep from the Julia Quinn books the show was originally based on. The first four episodes of the new season will premiere on 16 May, and the next four will be available to stream on 13 June.
The Tattooist of Auschwitz – Streaming now, Sky Atlantic and NOW
The Tattooist of Auschwitz is a 2018 Holocaust novel by New Zealand novelist Heather Morris, which has been adapted for television for Sky Atlantic. It follows the real-life story of Lale Sokolov, a Jewish prisoner who was tasked with tattooing ID numbers on prisoners' arms in the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp during the Second World War.
Feud: Capote vs The Swans – Streaming now, Disney+
The second season in the 'Feud' anthology, this eight-episode series is based on the bestselling book Capote's Women: A True Story of Love, Betrayal, and a Swan Song for an Era by Laurence Leamer. It follows acclaimed writer Truman Capote as he destroys his friendships with the jet setting socialites of New York City high society by writing a thinly-fictionalised account of their scandalous and hedonistic personal lives in his novel Answered Prayers.
Baby Reindeer – Streaming now, Netflix
When Baby Reindeer dropped on Netflix in April, it became an overnight global success. It's a black comedy based on Richard Gadd's own experiences of being stalked by a woman he met while working in a London pub – adapted from his one-man show of the same name. It's a gripping and immaculately crafted series that deals with some heavy, nuanced and upsetting themes. However, the series also invited a fair amount of criticism due to the alleged parallels between the on-screen character Martha and Richard's real life stalker, who social media sleuths were quick to try to track down.
Ripley – Streaming now, Netflix
For fans of The Talented Mr Ripley, this new series is a reboot with a twist. The eight-part psychological thriller dives into Tom Ripley's character, played by the supremely talented Andrew Scott, and largely follows the same plot as the 1999 film. It's set in 1960s New York when Tom Ripley is hired by a wealthy man to convince his wayward son to return home from Italy. But after meeting Dickie Greenleaf (played by Johnny Flynn), Mr Ripley becomes an infatuated and relentless criminal.
Big Mood – Streaming now, Channel 4
We've had Big Boys, Big Brother and Big Little Lies, and now Channel 4 has introduced us to Big Mood – starring Lydia West and Nicola Coughlan. The six-part series explores the intricacies of female friendship when confronted with serious mental illness. But don't worry, there are some big laughs along the way too.
Palm Royale – Streaming now, Apple TV
It's always good to have a bit of Kristen Wiig in our lives. And in March, she returned to our screens to play a woman who reconstructs her identity in the 1960s after she was dismissed by her husband and her entire social circle. Charming! It's another novel adaptation, based on Mr. & Mrs. American Pie by Juliet McDaniel.
The Regime – Streaming now, Sky/ NOW
The Regime, if you can believe it, depicts a year in a palace of a crumbling authoritarian regime. Kate Winslet plays the chancellor of the fictional Central European autocracy in the HBO show, who finds her position threatened by domestic turmoil.
The Gentleman – Streaming now, Netflix
If this name sounds familiar, it's because it is. That's right The Gentleman is Guy Ritchie's new series, which is set to pick up where his 2019 film of the same name left off. Theo James plays Eddie Halstead, a man who has inherited a large estate from his father, but learns that the land has become part of Mickey Pearson's weed-growing empire.
Shogun – Streaming now, Disney+
This historical drama is based on the 1975 novel by James Clavell, which was previously adapted into a 1980 miniseries. Shōgun follows 'the collision of two ambitious men from different worlds, John Blackthorne, a risk-taking English sailor who ends up shipwrecked in Japan, and Lord Toranaga, a shrewd, powerful daimyo, at odds with his own dangerous political rivals'. It became the first Japanese-language series to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series, and has earned 25 Emmy nominations.
Alice & Jack – Streaming now, Channel 4
This eerie romantic drama created and written by Victor Levin stars Birdman's Andrea Riseborough and About Time's Domhnall Gleeson. And if that's not enough to sell it to you, it also stars Aisling Bea, Sunil Patel and Aimee Lou Wood.
The New Look – Streaming now, Apple TV+
The New Look on Apple TV depicts the life of Christian Dior in Paris after World War II when he created his fashion line that unofficially got named 'New Look'. No, not the high street brand. We're still waiting on that series to be given the green light...
One Day – Streaming now, Netflix
For fans of David Nicholls (or anyone with respect for Northern accents), may we turn your attention towards the 12-episode TV adaptation of his best selling novel One Day. The 2011 film version, featuring Anne Hathaway as the Northern belle Emma Morley, was met with mixed reviews. But the Netflix version (starring Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall) has been a smash hit. You don't want to miss it.
Mr & Mrs Smith – Streaming now, Prime Video
This is the Mr & Mrs Smith reboot you didn't know you needed – with a much less dramatic marketing strategy than the 2005 film. Donald Glover (also known as Childish Gambino) and Maya Erskine recreate the iconic characters first (and infamously) played by exes Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. It offers a very different and arguably more seductive take on the story and has eight whole episodes to play with.
Domino Day – Streaming now, BBC Three
If you're after some science fiction from your TV viewing, then you might want to tune into Domino Day on BBC Three. Starring Siena Kelly, it's been described as a modern day witch drama about a young woman desperately trying to figure out who she is.
Masters of the Air – Streaming now, Apple TV
Good news for Austin Butler fans, he plays a pilot in this World War II drama. It's based on the 2007 book Masters of the Air: America's Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany by Donald L. Miller and follows the 100th Bomb Group of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. Yes, Austin's finally managed to shift his Elvis accent...
Ex Pats – Streaming now, Prime Video
Lulu Wang's upcoming series looks at the personal and professional lives of a tight-knit group of expatriates living in Hong Kong. Starring Nicole Kidman, the six-part series is based on the 2016 novel The Expatriates by Janice Y. K. Lee. It's described as a show 'where affluence is celebrated, friendships are intense but knowingly temporary, and personal lives, deaths and marriages are played out publicly—then retold with glee'.
Griselda – Streaming now, Netflix
This is Sofia Vergara as you've never seen her before. The Modern Family star takes on the role of the 'Godmother of Cocaine', Griselda Blanco, in Netflix's new series about her life. Brought to us by the creative team behind Narcos, it hopes to humanise the legendary Columbian drug lord (who even Pablo Escobar was scared of) and explores her origin story in a new light.
The Tourist, Series 2 – Streaming now, BBC One and iPlayer
If you're a fan of the BBC drama thriller The Tourist, starring Jamie Dornan and Danielle Macdonald, then you'll be pleased to here series two arrived on BBC One on New Year's Day. And this time, they've swapped Australia for Ireland. Time to catch up!
Mr Bates vs The Post Office – Streaming now, ITVX
It's not everyday that TV creates tangible change in the real world, but ITV's hit drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office did just that. The series is based on the real-life story of postmaster Alan Bates (played by Toby Jones) who drove the campaign to expose the Post Office Horizon IT scandal in which thousands of innocent subpostmasters were convicted of theft, fraud and false accounting based on faulty Horizon data. It is widely considered the biggest miscarriage of justice in UK legal history, and this ITV series finally put it front and centre of the news agenda.
The Traitors, Series 2 – Streaming now, BBC One and iPlayer
It was everyone's favourite word-of-mouth success in 2022, and second series of The Traitors was no different. The format stayed the same, but the characters, the twists and the outcome was totally different. If for some wild and unimaginable reason you missed it, cancel all your plans and binge it now.
True Detective, Season 4 – Streaming now, Sky/ NOW
Everyone loved the first season of True Detective, starring Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson. The second season didn't go down as well (it starred Vince Vaughn, so the less said about that the better). The third was led by Mahershala Ali and didn't make much of an impact either. But the fourth seems to have restored the shows reputation with a whopping 92% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Cristóbal Balenciaga – Streaming now, Disney+
If you're after something visually pleasing ahead of Spring, then you might want to watch this scripted six-part drama series inspired by the life and legacy of the iconic Spanish fashion designer, Balenciaga.
Nikki Peach is news and entertainment writer at Grazia UK, working across pop culture, TV and current affairs. She has also written for the i, i-D and the New Statesman Media Group and covers all things TV for Grazia (treating high and lowbrow shows with equal respect).