Why I made the list:

It’s now become a bit of tradition to make a year-end list of the best underrated TV shows from the previous 365 days, so I decided to keep it up for 2024!

So, let’s dig in!

Hellbound

The plot for this South Korean series is somewhat outlandish: random people receive a ‘prophecy’ from an ‘angel’ telling them they are going to be sent to hell at a specific date and time. Then, when the time comes, massive, hulking demonic creatures appear to drag the unlucky target to the netherworld.

However, these supernatural goings-on are merely the backdrop for a story about corruption and faith, as a range of cults and factions seek to use the events for their own purposes. These power struggles manage to send the world into even more chaos than the appearance of hell spawn.

The second season of Hellbound is slightly less compelling than the first, with a focus less on people being dragged to hell and more on those who have returned from the ordeal. It also ups the political intrigue, as a shady government agency seeks to control the doctrine of the key sect influencing public opinion. Overall, both seasons make for a tense, twisty watch.

Dead Hot

This quirky, unashamedly queer comedy series centers on Elliot and Jess, 2 best friends in Liverpool who are drawn into a mystery surrounding the disappearance of Elliot’s lover and Jess’ twin brother 5 years before.

Fast- paced, colorful shenanigans ensue, and there are innumerable twists and turns as the 2 uncover suspects and conspiracies, and try to keep their friendship intact. Bilal Hasna and Vivian Oparah have great chemistry in the lead roles, and there’s fun supporting turns from Penelope Wilton and Peter Serafinowicz.

American Horror Stories

Released as a 5-episode “Hulloween” event but technically the second half of the third season, these new standalone stories in the AHS spinoff continue the trend of increasing quality set in the previous installments.

While most of the entries are solid, the stand-out episodes include Clone, about a billionaire who ‘gifts’ his lover a copy of himself, and X, a lushly shot, black and white exploration of a twisted hospital ward. Leprechaun, an engaging heist story that turns into a creature feature, is also excellent.

The exceptional cast includes Michael Imperioli, Victor Garber (in a delicious dual role), Henry Winkler (as a deranged doctor), returning performer Jessica Barden, and June Sqibb (who doesn’t get much to do but adds value to any production by her mere presence).

Hollywood Con Queen

A documentary whose subject is also covered in the podcast Chameleon, Hollywood Con Queen is an incredible true story of fraud and deceit, and digs into one of the most audacious scams of recent years.

The TV iteration outlines the scam and spotlights the victims, but goes even deeper than the podcast to unveil the culprit and the twisted world view that led him to deceive film industry workers. Guaranteed to have you gawping in awe and disbelief at many moments.

Ripley

No-one was really crying out for a new adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s The Talented Mr. Ripley after 2 highly successful film adaptations in 1960’S Purple Noon and the 1999 version with Matt Damon, Jude Law, and Gwyneth Paltrow.

But this miniseries adaptation from Steven Zaillian (The Night Of), shot in lush black-and-white, is a pleasant surprise. The long-form approach allows the story to really breathe, and it’s a tense slow-burn from start to finish. Also, Andrew Scott is sublime in the title role.

Feud: Capote Vs. the Swans

After tackling the infamous animosity between actresses Joan Crawford and Bette Davis in its first season, the second iteration of Feud turned its attention to famed writer Truman Capote. More specifically, his rocky relationship with his ‘swans’, a group of wealthy middle-aged socialities who served as his companions and muses.

The cast, which includes Naomi Watts, Chloë Sevigny, Diane Lane, Calista Flockhart, Molly Ringwald, and Demi Moore, is excellent, and Tom Hollander completely disappears into the role of Capote.

The story is somewhat more sad and somber than you might expect from the subject, with a heavy focus on Capote’s tragic descent into alcoholism, and the specter of the relationship with his mother (a typically splendid Jessica Lange). Overall, it’s a revealing, bittersweet look into the writer’s life, and the at times destructive pull he had on those in his orbit.

Them: The Scare

Another dormant anthology series that made a comeback in 2024, this mostly standalone story moves away from the suburban malaise of Them: Covenant to explore an urban nightmare set against the Rodney King riots in 90s LA.

Returning star Deborah Ayorinde shines in a new role as Detective Dawn Reeve, who’s investigating a series of brutal murders. At the same time, a parallel narrative develops around Edmund Gaines, a downtrodden man whose anger starts to bubble over.

The series is tense and even quite scary at times throughout its run, building up to a shattering climax in a final episode directed by Ti West (!).

We Are Lady Parts

Following on from a triumphant first series, season 2 of We Are Lady Parts sees the eponymous Muslim girl punk band trying to navigate the waters of a corporate management firm while keeping their voice intact.

Full of absolute bangers of songs, hilarious one-liners, and plenty of girl power sentiment, the new series continues to be a blast and an absolute joy to watch, filled with an infectiously fun energy.

The Penguin

I wasn’t much of a fan of Matt Reeve’s The Batman (2022) so wasn’t intending to check out this spin-off series. However, glowing reviews across the board made me decide to give it a look, and I’m very glad I did.

A dark and gritty tale of Gotham City’s criminal underworld, The Penguin follows Oswald ‘Oz’ Cobb as he attempts to start a drug-fueled criminal empire and clashes with already established gangs. Particularly the Falcone crime family, headed by the unstable Sophia (Cristin Milioti), who’s just been released from Arkham Asylum.

The Penguin is a tense, compelling ride from start to finish, helped by ace direction from Craig Zobel (Mare of Easttown) in the early episodes. You know an antihero show is doing something right when you find yourself rooting for the bad guys to succeed.

Colin Farrell completely disappears into his role as the titular character behind thick layers of prosthetics, giving a menacing yet wounded marvel of a performance. Also, Deirdre O’Connell is fantastic as Oz’s dementia riddled mother, Rhenzy Feliz shines as sidekick Victor, and Milioti always steals the show in her scenes.

So, what did you think of my picks for underrated 2024 TV shows? Any egregious omissions? Let me know in the comments!