The 6 best heart-wrenching TV shows of 2024 so far, including one that saw Netflix slapped with lawsuit
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: As we approach the halfway point of the year 2024, we have witnessed the release of several legendary shows that are making a name for themselves in the hearts of fans.
The television landscape boasts a diverse array of content-driven series, each showcasing exceptional storytelling and production values, captivating audiences worldwide.
Whether you're a history buff, a sci-fi aficionado, or just looking for a good chuckle, here are the six series that have piqued our interest so far this year:
Shōgun (FX)
FX's historical epic 'Shōgun' created waves among viewers so much so that whenever a new episode aired, the internet used to get abuzz with speculation and praise for the show's mesmerizing world-building.
The story revolves around John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), whose ship wrecks in a Japanese fishing village. As the story progresses, he allies with Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), who seeks the title of 'Shōgun', the ultimate commander.
The televised adaptation of James Clavell's novel of the same name has been lauded for its complex and fascinating plot.
The show's cast and characters have built a name for themselves in the hearts of viewers, who are rooting for the show's significant wins in the upcoming awards season.
Under the Bridge (Hulu)
Hulu's true crime miniseries 'Under the Bridge' is based on Rebecca Godfrey's book of the same name, which tells the heartbreaking true story of the murder of 14-year-old Reena Virk in 1997.
The story follows Reena (Vritika Gupta), who attends a party and gets murdered by her peers.
Her violent murder shocks the surrounding community, especially since the perpetrators are a group of teenagers.
The story is told from the perspectives of Rebecca Godfrey (Riley Keough), and Cam Bentland (Lily Gladstone), a small-town police officer.
The show's foundation in a true-life tragedy adds a tremendous level of depth and realism to its storytelling and portrays the intricate and often horrific reality of teen violence and peer pressure, making it both gripping and thought-provoking to watch.
Ripley (Netflix)
The neo-noir psychological thriller 'Ripley' made waves this year with its captivating visual qualities and fascinating storyline.
The drama, based on Patricia Highsmith's 'The Talented Mr Ripley', follows Tom Ripley (Andrew Scott), a con artist recruited by a wealthy businessman to fly to Italy. His aim is to persuade the businessman's son, Dickie Greenleaf (Johnny Flynn), to return to America.
As Tom becomes further entangled with Dickie and his circle, including Dickie's lover Marge Sherwood (Dakota Fanning), Ripley's manipulative nature drives him to increasingly desperate and hazardous behavior.
The show soon garnered popularity among viewers due to its outstanding performances, high production standards, and the fact that it was entirely shown in black and white, which gives a note of uniqueness to the show.
Baby Reindeer (Netflix)
The Netflix series 'Baby Reindeer' stands out for its honest and emotional account of comedian Richard Gadd's real-life stalker nightmare.
The series follows Donny Dunn (Richard Gadd), who meets Martha Scott (Jessica Gunning) at the pub where he works. Following an apparently casual contact, Martha becomes excessively hooked on Donny, sending him dozens of texts and even showing up uninvited at his comedy shows and outside his home.
The plot dives into Donny's psychological and emotional agony as he struggles to handle the dangerous and intrusive nature of Martha's fixation.
'Baby Reindeer' succeeds not only because of its compelling story but also because of its exploration of complicated concepts and Gadd's stunning portrayal, which lends a deep feeling of authenticity to the character's traumatic experiences.
However, the Scottish woman who claims to be the inspiration for Richard Gadd’s hit has sued Netflix, seeking monetary damages of at least $170 million.
Griselda (Netflix)
Netflix's 'Griselda' is a biographical drama about Griselda Blanco, a legendary Colombian drug lord who operated in Miami in the 1980s.
The plot follows Griselda (Sofía Vergara), a young woman from Medellin, Colombia, who rises to manage a big cocaine smuggling ring in Miami.
The show has the traditional trope of Netflix's criminal dramas like 'Narcos' and is filled with intrigue, action, and emotional depth, keeping viewers captivated from start to finish.
The series has outstanding production standards that add to the watching experience, making it a strong contender for the title of best show of 2024.
3 Body Problem (Netflix)
A unique blend of high-stakes science fiction, complex narrative, and superior production quality makes the science fiction drama series '3 Body Problem' stand out as the outstanding show of 2024.
Based on Chinese novelist Liu Cixin's highly regarded book 'Remembrance of Earth's Past' the plot of the series follows an extraterrestrial civilization on a planet circling a three-body star system that is contacted via a covert military effort during China's Cultural Revolution.
The effect of this alien encounter on humans is shown through the plot's weaving together of many timeframes and points of view.
As the story develops further It focuses on a variety of individuals who become engaged in the developing catastrophe, including scientists, public servants, and common people.