As 2024 approaches, the television industry is facing a period of significant change following the historic dual strikes in Hollywood. This disruption has led to shifts in production schedules, affecting the release of many anticipated TV shows. This guide provides a detailed look at the new scripted comedies and dramas expected to debut in 2024 across various broadcast networks and streaming platforms.
Impact of Hollywood Strikes
The industry is still grappling with the effects of the dual strikes involving writers and performers. This has caused major programming changes across networks and streaming services. For example, HBO has delayed the release of new seasons for “Euphoria,” “The White Lotus,” and “The Last of Us” to 2025. In a similar vein, Amazon has adjusted its programming and marketing strategies for the upcoming years due to these production delays.
APPLE
Apple, known for its high-profile original content, continues to make waves in the streaming world. Among its upcoming releases is Palm Royale, a star-studded comedy set to debut in the spring. The show features a cast including Kristen Wiig, Ricky Martin, Laura Dern, and Carol Burnett, offering a glimpse into high society. Another anticipated spring release is The Big Cigar, a limited series inspired by a 2012 Playboy article. It tells the story of the manhunt for the founder of the Black Panther party, starring Andre Holland. In the first quarter, Apple will release The New Look on February 14. This historical fashion drama, set in Paris, stars Ben Mendelsohn as Christian Dior, Juliette Binoche as Coco Chanel, and Maisie Williams as Catherine Dior. Additionally, Apple is set to launch Masters of the Air in January. This series, a follow-up to “Band of Brothers” and “The Pacific,” is produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks and stars Austin Butler and Callum Turner.
DISNEY+
Disney+ continues to leverage its Marvel and Star Wars franchises. After a year of mixed results with TV adaptations of legacy titles, the streamer is set to release the Hawkeye spinoff Echo on January 10. Starring Alaqua Cox, Charlie Cox, and Vincent D’Onofrio, the series hoping to avoid Marvel fatigue. It didn’t. In the fourth quarter, Disney+ plans to introduce the WandaVision offshoot Agatha: Darkhold Diaries, featuring Kathryn Hahn and Aubrey Plaza. On the animated front, X-Men ’97 is expected to be a highlight when it premieres early in the year. From Lucasfilm, viewers can anticipate Star Wars: The Acolyte, starring Amandla Stenberg, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Lee Jung-jae, along with the Jude Law-led Skeleton Crew.
NETFLIX
Netflix’s lineup for 2024 is marked by some major shifts from the previous year. 3 Body Problem, the highly-anticipated show from “Game of Thrones” creators David Benioff and Dan Weiss, is set to premiere on March 21. This sci-fi epic, in development since 2020 and co-showrun by Alexander Woo, features a cast including Eiza González, John Bradley, Liam Cunningham, and Jonathan Pryce.
The live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender, launching on February 22, is another highlight. The show, starring Daniel Dae Kim, Amber Midthunder, and Utkarsh Ambudkar, has been generating buzz since its early marketing in 2023. On the comedy front, Mike Schur and Ted Danson collaborate again for The Mole Agent, while Liz Feldman’s No Good Deed features an all-star cast with Ray Romano, Lisa Kudrow, Linda Cardellini, Luke Wilson, and Abbi Jacobson.
PARAMOUNT+
Paramount+ is set to introduce Land Man, a new series by Taylor Sheridan set in West Texas, exploring the oil industry. The series, based on the Boomtown podcast, stars Billy Bob Thornton. Another anticipated show is The Department, directed by George Clooney, expected to launch in 2024.
AMC
AMC Networks’ 2024 lineup sees the expansion of “The Walking Dead” universe with the new series The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, premiering on February 25, 2024. This eagerly awaited spinoff brings back Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira in their renowned roles as Rick and Michonne. Joining them are Pollyanna McIntosh and Lesley-Ann Brandt, reprising their roles as Jadis and Pearl, alongside Terry O’Quinn and Matt Jeffries.
Scott M. Gimple leads the show as the executive producer, along with Lincoln, Gurira, Denise Huth, and Brian Bockrath. In addition, AMC announced the continuation of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon into its second season, featuring original cast member Melissa McBride in “The Book of Carol.” This series, currently in production in France, stars Norman Reedus alongside an ensemble cast and is executive produced by David Zabel, Reedus, McBride, and others.
The network is also set to premiere the second season of Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire and the new series Orphan Black: Echoes, starring Krysten Ritter. These shows add to AMC’s diverse and compelling slate for the upcoming year.
PEACOCK
Peacock brings several notable shows in 2024, starting with Seth MacFarlane’s Ted prequel series. Premiering on January 11, this live-action series takes the character back to 1993, with Max Burkholder stepping into the role. Apples Never Fall, starring Annette Bening, Sam Neill, and Alison Brie, is a family/mystery drama based on Liane Moriarty’s novel. Additionally, Those About to Die, a drama set in ancient Rome’s gladiatorial sports world, features Anthony Hopkins and Iwan Rheon, directed by Roland Emmerich.
FX
FX, led by John Landgraf, showcases the scheduling challenges faced by the film and TV industry. Shogun, the network’s highest-budget show to date, is now set to premiere on February 27 on Hulu. This limited series, based on James Clavell’s 1975 novel, represents FX’s largest international-scale production. Another notable addition is The Veil, starring Elisabeth Moss, which has garnered high praise for her performance. Additionally, Ryan Murphy returns to FX with the second season of Feud: Capote vs. The Swans, premiering on January 31. This season’s star-studded cast includes Naomi Watts, Diane Lane, Chloë Sevigny, Calista Flockhart, Demi Moore, Molly Ringwald, Tom Hollander, and the late Treat Williams.
HBO
Under Casey Bloys, HBO is set to rebound from its 2023 misstep with The Idol, presenting a strong lineup for 2024. The Franchise, a half-hour comedy set to debut in the fall, is a collaborative effort between Sam Mendes, Armando Iannucci, and Jon Brown. It features Aya Cash and Himesh Patel in a behind-the-scenes look at a fictional struggling superhero movie. In the spring, The Regime is expected to quench the thirst for fans of “The Crown,” starring Kate Winslet, Andrea Riseborough, Hugh Grant, and Martha Plimpton. Adding to the roster, HBO will also air the A24 mini-series The Sympathizer, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. This series features Robert Downey Jr. in multiple roles opposite Sandra Oh.
AMAZON
Amazon gears up for an exciting year with a slate of new shows. The streamer is launching Fallout on April 12, an adaptation of the popular video game series. Produced by Lisa Joy and Jonathan Nolan of “Westworld” fame, it stars Ella Purnell and Walton Goggins. Another major release is the Mr. & Mrs. Smith reboot, set to premiere on February 2. The series, featuring Donald Glover and Maya Erskine, promises a unique take on the classic narrative and includes appearances by Sarah Paulson and Sharon Horgan. Rounding out Amazon’s offerings is Expats, debuting on January 26. This drama, directed by Lulu Wang and starring Nicole Kidman, has been in the pipeline since 2018 and is set to explore the nuances of expatriate life.
HULU
Hulu steps up with a diverse lineup for the year. Death and Other Details, featuring Mandy Patinkin, premieres on January 16. This murder-mystery drama, likened to “White Lotus,” is set aboard a cruise liner. Additionally, the limited series We Were the Lucky Ones brings Joey King back to Hulu in a Holocaust survival drama. Another intriguing offering is Interior Chinatown, a crime drama starring Jimmy O. Yang, with direction by Taika Waititi. The show presents an innovative blend of a show-within-a-show and jury duty themes. Hulu also introduces Under the Bridge, a true-crime series starring Riley Keough, Lily Gladstone, and Archie Panjabi, executive produced by Hulu’s notable hitmaker, Liz Tigelaar.
MAX
Max, while known as an easy way to access HBO originals, continues to bolster its own original content. Coinciding with the election year, the streamer introduces The Girls on the Bus, a political drama by Greg Berlanti and Julie Plec, based on a chapter from Amy Chozick’s memoir “Chasing Hilary.” The series, starring Melissa Benoist, represents a new phase in Berlanti’s TV career. Max also capitalizes on Warner Bros. Discovery’s IP with Dune: Prophecy, a prequel series to the “Dune” saga, starring Emily Watson, Olivia Williams, and Travis Fimmel. Additionally, DC’s television era under James Gunn begins with The Penguin, an offshoot of “The Batman,” featuring Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti.
