Each year has its share of pleasant or unpleasant surprises. In 2024, platforms and television channels have spared no effort to entertain their subscribers. Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+ and the new arrival Max have multiplied ambitious proposals of all kinds. A look back at the series that marked the year 2024.
True Detective : Night Country — the best return
After five years of absence, True Detective was expected around the corner. The series changed creators to explore an unknown territory: Alaska and its perpetual night. It didn’t take long for Issa Lopez to convince us that the brand still had good times ahead of it. This season, certainly more feminine and feminist, takes hold of the codes of its predecessors to better reinvent them and serve up a captivating plot. Jodie Foster shone in this season which did not hesitate to freeze our blood on numerous occasions.
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Are we looking? Yes, the season is particularly suitable for it.
The Ones Who Live — the spin-off we didn’t need
Six years of waiting, numerous theories and a Dantesque promotion… and a return that looks like a damp squib. In 2024, Rick Grimes returned to action for his dedicated series on AMC+. In the vein of Dead City et Daryl DixonThe Ones Who Live intended to conclude the adventures of the one with whom it all began. Rick and Michonne’s reunion was supposed to be emotional and deliver a lot of information about the mysterious CRM. Ultimately, apart from an episode behind closed doors of rare intensity, the series will have nothing to tell. She quickly fell into the pitfalls of the last seasons of the series, multiplying narrative shortcuts and approximations. It’s sluggish, anecdotal and we say to ourselves that the television universe should really resolve to die for good. No luck, AMC will do it again in 2025 with Daryl Dixon et Dead City.
Are we looking? To find Rick and Michonne, but that’s it.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith — the spies we loved very much
Last February, a few days before Valentine’s Day, Prime Video offered spy story fans a rereading of a classic from the 2000s. Exit Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, Mr. & Mrs. Smith were played by Maya Erskine and Donald Glover for a series halfway between a romantic comedy and a nervous thriller. If Prime Video had every chance of wallowing, the series written by Francesca Sloane stood out for its writing. By exploring the intimate, behind-the-scenes life of a spy, the series has managed to embrace all the playfulness of its starting point. Rather than a deluge of action, the production relied on careful aesthetics and elegant writing.
Are we looking? Yes, on Valentine’s Day for a change from soppy romantic comedies.
Samuel — the most beautiful nostalgia
Remember when you entrusted your most intimate secrets to a little notebook? When you had shoes that run fast? The animated series Samuel reminds us of a time that those under 20 cannot experience, that of a childhood in the 90s/2000s. Through these episodes of just under three minutes, the series recounted the tribulations of a ten year old child. Its minimalist animation, original soundtrack and disconcertingly simple writing made it Samuel a real phenomenon on social networks. The Arte creation quickly became one of the most viewed small screen productions of the moment.
Are we looking? Yes. A thousand times yes.
Fallout — the best disaster
The first images were not very encouraging, Hollywood’s track record in adapting video game licenses was not reassuring. However, in 2024, Prime Video has proven that with the right ingredients, series and world of video games can be an explosive cocktail. The Bethesda nuclear disaster gave rise to a veritable television cataclysm, one of the most pleasant. From its artistic direction to its staging through its careful, but no less playful, writing, the adaptation of Fallout has stood out as an example to follow for the industry. As The Last of Us before her, in a less dramatic way, the creation of Geneva Robertson-Dworet and Graham Wagner was an opportunity to highlight emblematic franchises. Season 2 is eagerly awaited by spectators, and a vast majority of the editorial staff.
Are we looking? Yes, and afterward, we play Fallout: New Vegas to anticipate the paths taken by season 2.
From — the series that we didn’t expect
Very discreet for its seasons 1 and 2, From took advantage of the addition of Paramount+ to the catalog of Canal+ offers to build its legend in 2024. While season 3 began its broadcast across the Atlantic, the series halfway between Lost et Under the Dome finally met its French audience. With the story of his village cut off from the world and its frightening creatures who terrorize the inhabitants once night falls, John Griffin’s creation grabs us from the first moments. The cast is no stranger to this success, starting with a captivating Harold Perrineau as a makeshift sheriff who must ensure the safety of his friends. Addictive…
Are we looking? Yes, but not too late, otherwise beware of nightmares.
Zorro — the sword in the water
Jean Dujardin as Zorro. A priori, the series co-produced by France Télévisions and Paramount+ should please us. His lightning appearance in the skin of the vigilante for Platane had proven that the actor was capable of donning the costume. However, we could fear that the absurd humor featured in the trailers would hamper the playfulness of this series. Head to toto for Don Diego who never manages to give substance to his issues. However, certain ingredients are there, particularly concerning the craftsmanship of this series which has nothing to envy of Hollywood. It’s a shame that the writing is not as scholarly, that it very rarely hits its target.
Are we looking? It’s best not to compare it to Martin Campbell’s incredible film.
Arcane season 2 — the magical adaptation
After getting everyone to agree in 2021, Netflix is back at it again this year for season 2 of Arcane. Still with Fortiche at the helm, the series inspired by the League of Legends universe proves that a beautiful setting can make us forget the few narrative weaknesses. More ambitious, more frantic (too much sometimes), but above all still just as effective, Arcane is undoubtedly the best that Netflix has offered this year. The trip is over, but god it was good.
Are we looking? Yes, to take your eyes off it.
Star Wars : The Acolyte — the series that promised great things
Mired in too dense a license, a chronology that does not agree with everyone, Star Wars made the enlightened choice to explore the High Republic with The Acolyte. This new context, never explored on our screens, should be an opportunity to bring a breath of fresh air to the stable. If the subject is still debated, even within the editorial staff, we must admit that the series has not kept its promise. There are some great ideas, but the series quickly fell back into the hackneyed patterns of its predecessors. We will have liked Sol played by Jung-jae Lee, Qimir by Manny Jacinto, a little less the journey of Mae (Amanda Stenberg) who felt very reheated.
Are we looking? Yes, to find out if the show deserved all this hate.
Knuckles — the one we have already forgotten
Little by little, video game adaptations are on the verge of dethroning superheroes… But is this a reason to repeat Marvel’s mistakes? Proud of the success of his feature films SonicParamount was quick to succumb to the call of the spin-off. This is how poor Knuckles found himself propelled to the head of a stopgap series. Making this character the puppet of a senseless comedy is not the best strategy to prepare for the arrival of a new film. This false start for the cinematic universe of the blue hedgehog is nevertheless amply made up for by the excellence of Sonic 3. All that remains is to hope that Tails will be spared such treatment.
Twilight of the gods — the biggest plotwist
A few months after the Rebel Moon disaster, in two parts please, Zack Snyder was not really expected as the Messiah on Netflix. The director has never ceased to disappoint, his last stint behind the camera could have been another failure. Finally, Twilight of the Gods took us where we least expected, to the top steps of our annual ranking. With this animated series, we find in Watchmen’s dad what we loved. By taking on Nordic mythology, Snyder creates divine and clever entertainment.
Are we looking? We didn’t think we’d write it about him, but Snyder has regained his enthusiasm from the first days.
The Boys season 4 — the most beautiful middle finger
For viewers who had not understood the harsh criticism of a post-Trump America that his series represents, Eric Kripke turned the knobs on full blast in 2024. The Boys became more bloody and scathing, drawing inspiration from a context complex politics to bring about a season of all superlatives. In both form and substance, the Prime Video production proved that it was the best thing that had happened to superheroes in a while. Even though we feared that the enthusiasm would run out of steam, season 4 pushed the limits to surprise us even more.
Are we looking? What a question!
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