We pick six new shows coming in 2024 we think deserve your attention
How to pick just six new shows to watch in 2024? Between terrestrial television and even some of the streamers, it’s not even one show each and whatever we pick will do a disservice to others. In the end we’ve chosen shows across as broad a spectrum as possible — we could easily have picked six others. Or more!
The six new shows
Agatha: The Darkhold Diaries
There are two new Marvel titles coming to Disney+ in 2024, and while we could have easily picked Echo (arriving January 10), we went with Agatha: Darkhold Diaries. The spin-off from WandaVision has had several titles, but seems finally settled on Darkhold Diaries. Kathryn Hahn is Agatha, who at times threatened to steal the show form under Wanda in WandaVision, and even had her own song!
We aren’t sure what tone this show will adopt, but hope for at least some of the quirky humour we saw before. If this mini-trailer is anything to go by, we are in luck.
The Artful Dodger
We’ve cheated a little with this Thomas Brodie-Sangster show, as The Artful Dodger is already out via Hulu in the US. But, as we’re a UK blog and the show hits our shores via Disney+ on January 17 feel it still fits the remit. The show is a what happened after Oliver Twist concept, with Brodie-Sangster starring alongside David Thewlis and Maia Mitchell.
With a pedigree including Godless, The Queen’s Gambit and Pistol, we full expect another hit show, and perhaps not a limited series.
Dead Boy Detectives
Another spin-off (sort of) as Dead Boy Detectives brings us more Neil Gaiman for Netflix. The characters also appear in The Sandman (and presumably the next season thereof), and while we’re still awaiting news of a Jenna Coleman Constantine show, this looks worth adding to the list. The comedy-drama follows a pair of young sleuths, Charles Rowland (Jayden Revri) and Edwin Paine (George Rexstrew). Choosing not to go on to the afterlife, the pair opt to solve supernatural crimes on Earth instead.
The teaser trailer gives a taste of the show, and we wonder if this will finally be the supernatural mystery show Netflix will allow more seasons of (unlike several we could name).
Nightsleeper
It seems the BBC has had Nightlsleeper in post-production a long time, checking it was July when filming wrapped, so perhaps not that long. We do know it will arrive early in 2024, and it has primetime Sunday written all over it.
The show runs in realtime over 6×60 episodes, and stars Joe Cole and Alexandra Roach. Here’s the synopsis:
Alexandra Roach plays Abby Aysgarth, the Acting Technical Director at the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre, who’s finally about to take a well-earned holiday when she receives a phone call that will change everything – the UK railway network is under attack.
Joe Cole is Joe Roag, an off-duty police officer onboard and who’s hoping for a quiet night. However, over the next six rollercoaster hours, Joe’s about to get anything but, as he and Abby battle both their own distrust and the unpredictable behaviour of the person or persons now in control, desperate to try and stop the Heart of Britain from reaching the end of the line, in more ways than one…
Orphan Black: Echoes
We’ve long since given up expecting Krysten Ritter back as Jessica Jones, but will reconcile with the chance to see Ritter in new series Orphan Black: Echoes. Is it technically a new series, a reimagining or a spin-off from the excellent Orphan Black? The show also stars Keeley Hawes, Amanda Fix and Avan Jogia.
As to the story, the 10-episode series “takes place in the world” of Orphan Black with the action shifted to the near future. It takes a ” …deep dive into the exploration of the scientific manipulation of human existence. It follows a group of women as they weave their way into each other’s lives and embark on a journey, unravelling the mystery of their identity and uncovering a story of love and betrayal.”
The show is coming to AMC and BBC America, then the UK. We don’t have precise details (yet), but will keep you posted.
Renegade Nell
Recently announced and coming to Disney+ is Renegade Nell, providing a vehicle for another Derry Girls alum, Louisa Harland. Harland plays is Nell, a quick-witted and courageous young woman who finds herself framed for murder and unexpectedly becomes the most notorious highwaywoman in 18th Century England. When a magical spirit called Billy Blind, played by Nick Mohammed (Ted Lasso), appears, Nell realises her destiny is bigger than she ever imagined.
Call us easily swayed, but two stars from some of the best comedies in recent years is all we need to be convinced. We have to wait until spring, but it looks like the wait will be worth it.