As the year comes to an end, it is the perfect time to bask in the glory of the abundance of incredible TV show seasons premiering in 2024. With various streaming platforms fighting to corner the market for masterpiece TV shows, the over-the-top streaming platform Paramount+ stands out with its beloved original series. Ranging from high-octane action-filled animated drama series based on video games to reboots of popular comedy shows, Paramount+ has an original show for every type of audience.
Formerly known as CBS All Access, Paramount+ has been releasing TV shows since 2014 and has solidified itself as a streaming platform that consistently produces well-crafted shows with intricate plotlines. 2024 is a brilliant year for Paramount+’s TV shows, as the year saw the premiere of new compelling shows and the long-awaited conclusions to beloved shows. The best Paramount+ shows of 2024 keep audiences hooked with their well-developed characters and intriguing plots.
10
Insomnia (2024)
The British thriller series Insomnia is an adaption of Sarah Pinboorough’s novel of the same name, starring Vicky McClure as Emma, a woman who develops insomnia and struggles to fall asleep as her 40th birthday approaches. Sleep-deprived and exhausted, Emma decides to seek answers and investigate her traumatic past. The six-episode thriller series slowly builds the tension as it follows Emma and her struggles.
Despite Insomnia’s slow start and sluggish pace, the thriller boasts a captivating performance from the lead, McClure, and an intriguing premise entrenched in family drama that keeps the show compelling and entertaining. While the solution to the various plot points in Insomnia is wrapped up neatly, the show’s conclusion puts a damper on the rewatchability of the show. Despite its flaws, Insomnia remains an entertaining, engaging, and riveting TV show filled with twists and turns, family drama, and thrilling mysteries.
9
Landman (2024-Present)
Taylor Sheridan’s Landman is a drama TV series based on a podcast about big oil titled Boomtown, hosted by series co-creator Christian Wallace. The show revolves around Tommy Norris (Billy Bob Thornton), the titular landman at an oil company. Landman is an adventure in West Texas in the world of oil rigs and the show follows Tommy in his investigations into a fatal accident. Thornton’s impeccable acting makes his portrayal of Tommy as a charismatic, witty, and depth-filled character the highlight of Landman.
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Landman is an action-filled joyride with intricate plot twists, betrayals, and interesting characters. Tommy’s dynamic with his family and his struggles as a landman during a time of turmoil and tragedy make for an enthralling experience. Landman’s impeccable casting, strong characterizations, and thrilling plot promise an adventurous journey into the world of big oil.
8
Ark: The Animated Series (2024-Present)
The fantasy action-adventure TV show Ark: The Animated Series is based on the video game Ark: Survival Evolved. The series follows Helena Walker (Madeleine Madden) after she finds herself fighting for her survival after being transported into a strange and dangerous world filled with dinosaurs. Helena’s grieving for her deceased wife is suddenly interrupted when she wakes and finds herself in the middle of an ocean.
Ark: The Animated Series revolves around Helena’s struggle to survive in the deadly world as she strives to return to her world and makes friends and allies from different time periods along the way. Helena’s burgeoning bond with Meiyin Li (Michelle Yeoh) is beautiful to witness, and her journey toward healing and dealing with her grief is a poignant and touching arc. The vibrant yet dangerous new world and brilliant characters cement Ark: The Animated Series as an incredible and underrated TV show adaption of a video game.
7
Tales Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2024-Present)
Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is an animated show based on the popular and beloved childhood characters of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The animated series follows the titular Turtles Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael, as they navigate their double lives as high school students while fighting crime and the insidious forces in New York City. Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is set two months after the events of the film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem and serves to fill the gap between the film and the planned sequel.
Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles follows the Turtles as they face off against the villainous Bishop who aims to take down all mutants. The superhero animated series effortlessly balances the bizarre nature of the Turtles with comedy, drama, and action. Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is filled with Easter eggs and references for fans of the franchise but doesn’t alienate new audiences from the show.
6
Mayor Of Kingstown (2021-Present)
Mayor of Kingstown stars Jeremy Renner, the actor best known for his role as Hawkeye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as Mike McLusky, the titular mayor of Kingstown. The drama thriller series follows the powerful McLusky family as they navigate keeping the peace in the fictional town deeply entrenched in the business of incarceration. Mike is thrust into responsibility after he takes over and is forced to ease the tensions between the police, prisoners, prison staff, and gangs.
The TV show premiered on Paramount+ in 2021 and the third season was released in 2024. Mayor of Kingstown season 4 was confirmed months after season 3’s finale premiered. The return of Mayor of Kingstown for season 3 was a triumph, as it took a deeper look into racism, corruption, and prison and saw the return of Renner after he was hospitalized in 2023. The show’s third season is jam-packed with action, drama, and intriguing storylines.
5
Knuckles (2024)
Knuckles is a TV show based on the video game series Sonic the Hedgehog and follows Knuckles the Echida (Idris Elba) after his move to Earth. The show is a spin-off of the Sonic the Hedgehog film series and serves as a continuation of the events after Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Knuckles revolves around the titular character as he adjusts to the new world and begins training Wade Whipple (Adam Pally). While the duo of Knuckles and Wade train together, Knuckles also deals with being hunted by Dr. Ivo Robotnik’s agent as he attempts to steal his powers.
Knuckles broke records when it became the most-watched Paramount+ original series during the show’s premiere weekend and appealed to broad audiences with its stunning visuals, comedy, and heartening character dynamics. The fun and unpredictable show Knuckles is the perfect lighthearted entertainment for the whole family, filled with action, adventure, and comedy.
4
Frasier (2023-Present)
The revival of the beloved 1990s sitcom Frasier sees the return of Kelsey Grammer as the psychiatrist Dr. Frasier Crane. The Frasier reboot follows the titular character after he returns to Boston in an effort to bond with his son Freddy (Jack Cutmore-Scott) and build a stronger relationship with him. Frasier premiered in 2023 and the second season was released on September 19, 2024.
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Frasier season 2 shined in its depiction of family bonds through the lens of Professor Alan Cornwall’s (Nicholas Lyndhurst) reunion with his estranged daughter Nora (Rayne Bidder), and the dynamic between Frasier and Freddy. Though Frasier season 3 has not been confirmed yet, season 2 perfectly laid the groundwork for future seasons with its introductions of entertaining romantic arcs and cemented its place as an entertaining and lovable reboot of a beloved TV show.
3
Halo (2022-2024)
The science fiction military drama series Halo is based on the popular video game franchise set in space. Halo revolves around the 26th-century war between humans and an alliance of aliens known as the Covenant. The TV show isn’t an adaption or continuation of the video game franchise, and is instead a standalone story taking place within its own timeline. Halo follows Master Chief Petty Officer John-117 (Pablo Schreiber), a super soldier who is leading his team of Spartans against the Covenant.
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Halo’s second and final season premiered on February 8, 2024, and was canceled in July. Halo season 2 was a significant improvement from the previous season as the show managed to find its footing in the second season. Unfortunately, while Halo season 2 set up a thrilling subsequent season, the show’s untimely cancelation leaves Halo’s storylines and character arcs unfinished.
2
Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020-2024)
Star Trek: Lower Decks is an animated expansion of the long-running Star Trek franchise. The sci-fi comedy adventure show stands out from other Star Trek media by putting the focus on the low-ranking support crew rather than the high-ranking officers and captains of a starship. Star Trek: Lower Decks premiered in 2020 when Paramount+ was still known as CBS All Access.
Star Trek: Lower Decks season 5, the final season, premiered in 2024 and revolves around the officers with menial jobs on Cerritos, one of the least important starships in Starfleet. From parallel universes that explore the characters’ motivations to space races through asteroid fields to resolve wars, Star Trek: Lower Decks season 5 maintains the fun and exciting tone that made the show a beloved addition to the franchise, without sacrificing character growth and development.
1
Evil (2019-2024)
The supernatural drama series Evil premiered in 2019 on CBS before the series moved to Paramount+ for the subsequent seasons. The critically acclaimed TV show Evil came to an end in 2024 with the fourth season being the final season. Evil follows the skeptical psychologist Dr. Kristen Bouchard (Katja Herbers) and tech expert Ben Shakir (Aasif Mandvi) as they join Catholic priest-in-training David Acosta (Mike Colter) in investigating seemingly supernatural events.
Evil season 4 had the difficult task of wrapping up the compelling overarching plot built upon since season 1. The series finale of Evil maintains a thrilling pace while continuing to have meaningful developments in the characters’ personal growth and character dynamics, and the chemistry between the central trio keeps the show grounded and heartfelt. Evil’s final season is the perfect send-off for the compelling and complex horror series.