Hidden Gems: 5 Criminally Overlooked TV Shows of 2024 You Probably Missed
A historical drama, a suspenseful thriller and a daring reality show.
Last year brought viewers dozens of worthy shows, but many of them remained in the shadows of more popular premieres and high-profile returns.
We decided to correct this injustice by collecting excellent but little-known series that deserve more attention.
1. Wolf Hall, 2015-2024
Wolf Hall is an adaptation of Hilary Mantel's book series about Henry VIII's advisor Thomas Cromwell. The first season was released in 2015 – at the time, the author had published two novels, each of which became global bestsellers.
Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light is a second season that some viewers have been waiting for for nine years. For the rest of the audience, this is a reason to take a closer look at one of the best historical series of our time.
2. Until I Kill You, 2024
True crime has slowed down a bit in recent years, but the genre is still producing interesting series that bring wild real-life stories to the screen. Until I Kill You is one of them.
The miniseries is based on the memoirs of Delia Bulmer, a London nurse who once met a charming man and fell in love. Over time, the boyfriend showed his true face: not only an abuser, but also a murderer who did not hide what he did to his ex-girlfriends.
3. Alma's Not Normal, 2020-2024
Alma's Not Normal is a black comedy about the difficult but funny life at the bottom of the social ladder: Alma tries to change her life and become an actress, but the woman has to earn money through sex work and keep her family, drug-addicted mother, conflicted grandmother and problematic best friend afloat.
The series is semi-autobiographical for Sophie Willan, who wrote and starred in the series. Just ten years ago, the woman like her character was seeking reconciliation with her estranged mother and supporting an acting career by earning money as an escort.
4. Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show, 2024
An unexpected outlet last year was comedian and actor Jerrod Carmichael's reality show. The end result is hard to call a reality show in the usual sense.
Instead of the genre's typical scripted situations that present the main character in a favorable light, the project, on the contrary, highlights a bag of Carmichael's shortcomings – a cheater, a traitor, and an ungrateful son.
Finally, instead of a boring documentary, the show offers a whole range of visionary techniques usually found in stylish music videos.
5. Senna, 2024
To commemorate the 30th anniversary of Ayrton Senna's death, Netflix turned to the racing driver's biography. The result is a miniseries that covers the most important events of his life: from his childhood love of karting and nostalgia for his homeland, to his worldwide recognition and the race in which safety rules were not followed.
Obviously, the target audience of the project is Formula 1 fans, admirers of Senna's talent and simply those who adore dynamic races on the screen.
However, Senna is aimed at a wider audience – the miniseries will certainly attract those who are willing to give something unknown a chance and get to know the legacy of one of the most important sportsmen of the 20th century.