The year that starts now marks a big moment for television with long-awaited returns and bold new franchises aiming to surpass what came before. 2024 is already delivering headlines that keep viewers glued to serialized, long-form storytelling. It’s easy to forget that 2023 left its mark with a significant writers’ and translators’ strike that paused much of the industry and delayed many summer releases until January. Here is a comprehensive look at what audiences can expect.
Promotional image of the new Star Wars series. Information
Helper on Disney Plus promises to flip the Star Wars universe on its head, landing in an unexplored era during the High Republic. It will explore the dawn of the clash with the Sith, long before Anakin Skywalker. The story traces corruption and bureaucracy shaking the Republic’s foundations long before the rise of the Empire. The second season of Andor will air in the summer alongside Skeleton Crew, expanding the Mandalorian-era tapestry with new pathways and higher stakes as the dark side grows stronger and Jedi orders are tested.
Masters of the Air on Apple TV+ reunites Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks II for a World War II–era project that revisits a famed bombing squad and their mission against Nazi targets. This series aims to capture the tension of aerial battles and the moments that define courage under pressure, offering a fresh take on a WWII epic for a modern audience.
Elsbeth on GIS hints at a revival of one of television’s sharpest legal minds. The showrunner couple behind The Good Fight brings back a beloved, quirky character who moves from Chicago to New York, with a smaller team shaping the scripts and new city experiences guiding the character’s arc. A strong ensemble and a distinctive voice promise to deliver witty and pointed storytelling in a bustling urban setting.
Fall Out on Amazon Prime imagines a postapocalyptic world after World War II where atomic energy powers a fractured global landscape. Drawing from a popular video game universe, the series follows a storyline that diverges from direct adaptations yet leverages the same atmosphere of high-stakes survival and world-altering choices, exploring how communities rebound in the face of overwhelming threat.
Fight: Capote vs. Swans revives a historic high-society feud in an FX anthology format. While Ryan Murphy remains a producer and occasional director, Gus Van Sant contributes to the vision as well. Each season focuses on a different emblematic rivalry, beginning with the dynamic between two legendary actresses of cinema and television. The cast features Naomi Watts, Chloë Sevigny, Diane Lane, Calista Flockhart, with Tom Hollander portraying Capote. The storytelling seeks to unpack social codes, power, and the pressures of fame through a sharp, character-driven lens.
Orphan Black: Echoes on Syfy brings back the world of clones with new mysteries and secrets. Six years after the original series concluded, this revival centers on a protagonist who awakens with no memories after a mysterious procedure and quickly uncovers a dark genetic program. The journey threads through memory, identity, and the consequences of hidden science, inviting longtime fans and new viewers into a tense, twisty narrative.
Penguin on HBO Max reimagines Gotham’s notorious mobster, played by Colin Farrell in a dark, stylish light that nods to the franchise’s roots while charting new territory for a modern audience. The series builds on the atmosphere of crime and power with a focus on the underworld’s intimate dynamics, setting the stage for a broader arc in the Batman universe as new threats loom and loyalties shift.
Three Body Problem on Netflix stands as one of the most anticipated science fiction adaptations of the year. The production, driven by the team behind Game of Thrones, adapts a sweeping literary saga about humanity’s first contact with an extraterrestrial civilization. The narrative promises expansive storytelling, deep lore, and a spectrum of spin-offs designed to expand the universe for devoted fans and curious newcomers alike.
Diet on HBO Max centers on a compelling lead performance by Kate Winslet, who plays a powerful figure at the heart of a European regime in upheaval. The series blends political intrigue with a satirical edge, offering a look at palace life and the social games played by those in power during a tumultuous historical moment. The creative team includes veteran writers from acclaimed projects, delivering grounded drama with sharp humor.
Red Queen on Amazon Prime brings a Spanish-language thriller to a global audience, adapted from a bestselling novel by Juan Gómez-Jarabo. Vicky Luengo stars as a brilliant detective who uses intellect and tenacity to solve intricate crimes. While the adaptation honors the source material, it also explores fresh dramatic territory, with the possibility of additional seasons if the series resonates with viewers.
True Detective: Night Country on HBO Max introduces a new story under a fresh creative helm. After departures from previous seasons’ writers, Issa López assumes leadership, bringing a new tone and world to the franchise. Jodie Foster anchors the cast in a cold, remote setting where a seasoned detective hunts a serial killer. The anthology format means audiences don’t need prior installments to engage fully, though evocative symbols from earlier seasons hint at connective threads. The mood remains crisp, stark, and desolate, echoing the show’s most famous investigations.
Dragon House on HBO Max continues the expansion of the sprawling fantasy universe that began with a major hit. The upcoming installments promise a darker, more brutal exploration of the civil war within the ruling house, pushing characters to their limits. Viewers can expect high-stake battles, morally gray decisions, and a trajectory toward even more dramatic conflicts as loyalties fracture and power shifts in the realm. The production has faced prior delays but remains a focal point for fans awaiting the next chapter in this iconic saga.
Blood and fire—an apt description for the tone of the ongoing saga, signaling an era of upheaval and epic confrontation that further cements the franchise as a defining force in contemporary television. This year is shaped by large-scale storytelling, intricate political games, and character-driven arcs that keep audiences debating episode to episode. (attribution: industry press and project announcements)