Shows or movies that premiered in the U.S. in 2024 – The Smart Awards are for shows or movies that aren’t dumbed down, that force you to use your brain. And the acting is subtle rather than over the top or playing to the camera.
Based on the James Clavell novel. The setting is Japan in 1600. A feudal lord struggles to maintain his life and land as other Japanese lords unite against him. Series won multiple Emmys, including, deservedly, its lead actors. Sanada and Sawai are both stunning.
Creators: Rachel Kondo, Justin Marks
Cast: Hiroyuki Sanada, Anna Sawai, Cosmo Jarvis, Tadanobu Asano, Takehiro Hira
IMDb: 8.6
Where: Hulu, Disney+
Another Taylor Sheridan project. Some are saying it’s his best show yet. Thornton, in the role he was born to play, is a crisis executive for an oil company in Texas. The show was based on a documentary about the oil business, by co-creator Christian Wallace, which might be why much of the show’s dialogue and events seem more genuine than contrived. The performances by Thornton and Lofland are beyond pitch-perfect.
Creators: Taylor Sheridan, Christian Wallace
Cast: Billy Bob Thornton, Jon Hamm, Ali Larter, Jacob Lofland
IMDb: 8.3
Where: Paramount+
This series is a logical extension to Ritchie’s 2020 movie, which had the same title. A young aristocrat inherits his family estate, and then discovers his home is being used as a pot farm. Hijinks ensue, amidst Ritchie’s usual techniques and twists. Like Ritchie’s other works, this one improves on repeat viewings.
Director: Guy Ritchie
Cast: Theo James, Kaya Scodelario, Daniel Ings
IMDb: 8.0
Where: Netflix
A remake of France’s popular series The Bureau, which I watched in full and loved. While this American version is not as fly-on-the-wall as its predecessor, it does manage to mimic some of its being-a-spy angst. This is a heady spy thriller with a slow pace that might not be to everyone’s liking. Fassbender plays “Martian,” a highly skilled operative who’s ordered to leave his undercover life abroad and return to London.
Cast: Michael Fassbender, Jeffrey Wright, Jodie Turner-Smith, Richard Gere
IMDb: 7.3
Where: Paramount+
From the creators of Game of Thrones. Based on the worldwide bestselling novel The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin. Scientists from around the globe receive clues to the existence of an alien civilization seeking to travel to Earth. I was excited that a TV series was made of this, but I expected more. The series is better than most TV, but I thought it would be better. The real draw here is some fresh, new sci-fi ideas.
Creators: David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Alexander Woo
Cast: Jovan Adepo, Liam Cunningham, Eiza González, Jess Hong, Benedict Wong
IMDb: 7.5
Where: Netflix
For lovers of the Dune universe comes this prequel tale that shows the beginnings of the Bene Gesserit. A well-acted show that’s visually well-produced. Introduces some new elements to the Dune world.
Creators: Diane Ademu-John, Alison Schapker
Cast: Emily Watson, Olivia Williams, Shalom Brune-Franklin, Travis Fimmel, Mark Strong
IMDb: 7.4
Where: Max
If you liked Dark, you’ll probably like this series. Four different London detectives in four different time periods find themselves investigating the same murder. Definitely a mind-bender.
Cast: Stephen Graham, Amaka Okafor, Kyle Soller, Shira Haas, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd
IMDb: 7.3
Where: Netflix
Having seen both movie versions of this story, it wasn’t new territory for me. Its high IMDb rating might be because this is a new story for most of today’s viewers. Redmayne plays a ruthless assassin who’s being hunted by an MI6 agent who refuses to give up. I thought this would be better, but it’s still better than most other TV.
Cast: Eddie Redmayne, Lashana Lynch, Eleanor Matsuura
IMDb: 8.2
Where: Peacock
A spin-off of the 2022 movie, The Batman. Unrecognizably, Farrell plays the titular character, Oz Cobb, aka the Penguin. Following the events of the 2022 movie, the Penguin tries to seize power in Gotham. I’ve included this in the 2024 list mainly because it’s insanely popular. For me, though, the show is a bit of a letdown. Once you get past the shock that it’s Farrell under all that makeup, the Penguin character isn’t all that likeable or interesting. Instead, the heart of the show and the real scene-stealers are the characters played by Milioti and Feliz.
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Cast: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz (Marvel’s Runaways)
IMDb: 8.7
Where: Max
Two people must learn to survive together in a post-pandemic world. As you can see by its IMDb rating, people went nuts over this show. For me, it was okay but didn’t cover much new ground from what other post-apocalyptic shows had already covered — i.e., The Walking Dead.
Creators: Neil Druckmann, Craig Mazin (Chernobyl)
Cast: Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Anna Torv
IMDb: 8.7
Where: HBO