The Handbook’s Favourite Shows Of The Year (So Far)
With over half the year already gone, it’s easy to forget just has much TV has been crammed into just six months. Eagerly awaited new seasons of The Bear and The Boys have only recently hit streaming, while major new hits like Baby Reindeer took the world by storm earlier in the year. The Handbook team has decided to take a look back at what’s been on the box and pick our fave shows of the year so far.
Bodkin
Netflix takes the hugely popular true podcasting crime trend and mixes it into this crime mystery series that debuted earlier this year. Bodkin centres around an American podcast host (Will Forte) with an interest in all things crime, who travels to the small, charming Irish coastal town of Bodkin to investigate its dark secrets, including a missing persons case that went cold. Also looking into the case is Dove Maloney (Siobhán Cullen), a Dublin-born journalist living in London who isn’t thrilled to be working with a crime podcaster, and is dealing with the death of a government whistleblower acting as their source.
“Bodkin is one of the latest Netflix shows I’ve started and actually finished (something of a rarity for me). It’s easy watching with comical characters, an intriguing plot line and a few unexpected twists along the way. It’s a shorter series too, so you can easily get through it in a week.” – Natasha Harding, Editor
Watch it on: Netflix
Mary & George
A historical drama from Sky that takes a few pages from Bridgerton’s book, Mary & George takes place during the reign of James I in the 1600s. The big-name draw is Julianne Moore, who plays Countess Mary Villiers, a woman keen to rise in the ranks and become a powerful figure in the royal court. To achieve this, she sets up her young and dashing son, George, (Nicholas Galitzine) to seduce the ruling king (Tony Curran) in order to get as close and influential to him as possible. Based on the non-fiction book The King’s Assassin, the seven-episode series follows the Countess as she becomes increasingly ruthless to get what she wants.
“Starring Julianne Moore and Nicholas Galitzine in incredible character assignments, expect enough steamy scenes to make Bridgerton look chaste and some pretty gut-wrenching plot twists. One to keep you hooked whilst also learning a little about the first Stuart King of England.” – Robyn Upton, Managing Director
Watch it on: Sky, NOW
Eric
One of Netflix’s most interesting projects in recent years, Eric is a psychological thriller miniseries starring Benedict Cumberbatch as a successful but emotionally withdrawn puppeteer whose son, Edgar, goes missing. It’s set in 80s New York, with a vibrant but dangerous underbelly which Vincent (Cumberbatch) must navigate to try and find answers following the disappearance. His behaviour however becomes increasingly volatile, and he starts conversing with Edgar’s puppet creation Eric. Along the way, we meet supporting characters like his wife, Cassie (Gaby Hoffman), who feels their marriage is on the rocks, and detective Michael Ledroit (McKinley Belcher III), a cop investigating the case and dealing with his hidden sexuality. – Astrid Carter, Contributing Fashion & Lifestyle Editor
Watch it on: Netflix
Presumed Innocent
Early 90s thriller Presumed Innocent is remade as a TV miniseries, starring Jake Gyllenhaal in his first major small screen role. He plays Rusty Sabich, a prosecutor in Chicago, whose life is upended when a devastating murder case unfolds in the city. The rest of the prosecuting office is shocked when Rusty himself is implicated in the killing of his colleague Carolyn (Renate Reinsve), who he has been having an affair with. Rusty of course is intent on proving that he’s innocent, but as the walls close in and the trial begins, his claims will be tested with twist and turns aplenty.
“As someone who isn’t particularly fond of murder dramas, I’m surprised at how much I’ve loved this show. Jake Gyllenhaal does a great job of playing a highly problematic deputy prosecutor turned murder suspect, Rusty Sabich, and I’m quite excited about the prospect of seeing Gyllenhaal doing more TV in the future. The show has murder, adultery, sex, violence and plenty of bad decisions – all the makings of a very twisted whodunnit that will keep you guessing.” – Andrea Pinto, Food Culture & Lifestyle Writer
Watch it on: Apple TV+
The Tattooist of Auschwitz
The Tattooist of Auschwitz is a historical drama series set during the Holocaust, and certainly one of the most emotionally heartrending shows of the year. It’s based on a true story, following the life of Lale Sokolov (Johah Hauer-King), a Jewish prisoner held in Auschwitz concentration camp in occupied Poland. He is assigned the responsibility of tattooing camp identification numbers onto the skin of newly arrived prisoners. Despite the horrendous circumstances of the war, Lali finds love with Gita (Anna Próchniak), another prisoner at the camp, and the story moves between the past and the present where an older Lali is played by Harvey Keitel.
“I’ve been watching The Tattooist of Auschwitz. I wouldn’t call it enjoyable, more a heartbreaking and devastating insight into a very dark period in time. Needless to say, you are drawn to watch in the hope of some kind of happy ending for protagonist Lali and his love, Gita.” – Ashling McCloy, Contributing Style & Interiors Editor
Watch it on: Sky, NOW
The Boys
Amazon’s superhero send up The Boys returned this year for its fourth and penultimate season. If you’re unfamiliar, the series stars Karl Urban, Jack Quaid, Anthony Starr and Erin Moriarty and is set in a world where superheroes are very much real people, but aren’t always as prim and proper as Clark Kent. The Boys, led by Billy Butcher (Urban), seek to rein in the power of corrupt and egocentric superpowered figures such as Homelander (Starr) and the seedy Vought corporation. Season 4 picks up six months after the last season, and dealing with new threats such as Firecracker (Valorie Curry) – Imi Scott-Carter, Junior Graphic Designer
Watch it on: Amazon Prime Video
Baby Reindeer
Perhaps Netflix’s biggest breakout show so far this year, Baby Reindeer captured the attention first of viewers and then of the tabloid headlines. So, for those who’ve not seen it yet, what’s behind all of the commotion? The series follows Donny Dunn (Richard Gadd), a bartender in London whose real passion is comedy, and gigging as a stand-up around the city. He meets a customer at the pub, Martha(Jessica Gunning), who becomes infatuated with him and begins to stalk him online and in real life. Its tense, thrilling atmosphere and plot make it very bingeable, and one of the best shows of 2024.
“Perhaps the most obvious choice of the year, and I’m still not sure where I fall on some of its critiques, but it felt like one of the freshest Netflix specials in a long time. I wasn’t sure I even liked it, but felt compelled to watch right to the end in double quick time, while I often give up after an episode or two of a new launch. It felt gnarly and raw, and was a definite breath of fresh air.” – Patrick Dunne, Editorial Assistant
Watch it on: Netflix
Shogun
Another highly popular TV drama that debuted this year, Shogun is based on the novel of the same name, and centres around a boat that arrives shipwrecked on the coast of Japan, along with English sailor John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis). The country and its customs are foreign to him, but despite his outsider nature he will nonetheless play a key role in its future. The show also follows Lord Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), an influential daimyo (a Japanese feudal lord) who is vying for power against his political rivals in a dangerous world. The two will cross paths, along with Lady Mariko (Anna Sawai) with close loyalty to Toranaga but not her family. The setting and impressive set and costume work makes Shogun a particularly engrossing watch. – Nicole Duret, Creative
Watch it on: Disney+
The Bear
Back for Season 3, The Bear remains one of TV’s most devoutly followed shows, with its first two outings receiving an avalanche of awards. We once again follow talented head chef Carmy (Jeremy Allen White), who’s still as stressed and self-critical as ever. He’s still dealing with the pressures of running a restaurant, as well as his relationship with Claire (Molly Gordon). Meanwhile, Syd (Ayo Edebiri) is also under pressure with the difficulties of both her head chef acting erratically and keeping the restaurant running smoothly and at a high standard. The storylines of Richie (Ebon Moss Bacharach) and Marcus (Lionel Boyce) are further developed in yet another season of highly intense but very watchable cooking drama. – Alexandra Fanaro, Intern
Watch it on: Disney+
Manhunt
Apple TV+’s penchant for historical dramas is apparent with Manhunt, a miniseries set in the aftermath of Abraham Lincoln’s infamous assassination. Following the president’s death, the future of the nation is at stake, as a huge investigation gets underway to track down the killer, John Wilkes Booth, and bring him to justice. Tobias Menzies stars as Edwin Stanton, Lincoln’s former Secretary of War who becomes increasingly obsessed with honouring his friend and boss and catching Booth. It’s based on a book of the same name by James L. Swanson, and also stars Anthony Boyle as Booth, Love Simone as Mary Simms, Lili Taylor as Lincoln’s wife Mary Todd, and Hamish Linklater as the doomed president himself.
“As someone with a keen interest in US history, Manhunt was quickly on my watchlist when I came across it. The series can be quite complex, steeped in research as it tells the story of one of America’s defining moments, but is an engrossing drama at heart. More than anything, it’s anchored by strong performances, particularly the contrasting characters of Stanton and Booth, and will transport you to the time period effortlessly.” – Rufus Punt
Watch it on: Apple TV+
