If production houses are on the hunt for old hits to remake, "Ripley" is a masterclass in how to get them right.

The eight-part miniseries, streaming on Netflix, is an adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's 1955 novel, "The Talented Mr. Ripley."

It follows con artist Tom Ripley (played by Andrew Scott), who is hired by a wealthy American in New York to find his son, Dickie (Johnny Flynn), who is living in Italy. Ripley's decision to take on the job is where all the trouble begins.

The story was famously brought to the big screen in 1999 with a film, also called "The Talented Mr. Ripley," starring Jude Law, Matt Damon, and Gwyneth Paltrow. At the time, the film was both commercially and critically successful, snagging five Academy Award nominations.

Two decades later, writer-director Steven Zaillian added his spin, including his most controversial stylistic choice: to film the entire show in black and white.

The original film was made in color, with sun-washed pastel hues, but I enjoyed watching the show in black and white. It took away focus from the gorier details, concentrating more on sounds and textures, and also helped the show stand out.

"Ripley" had a modest release, garnering 2.3 million views in its first weekend on Netflix, Variety reported. However, it more than compensated by earning 13 Emmy Award nominations this summer and winning four, including best directing for a limited or anthology series or movie, in September.

This one's a slow-watch show — I recommend taking your time with it and enjoying the high-art cinematography.

IMDb rating (out of 10): 8.1

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 86%

How does a 20-something mother of a 6-year-old, enveloped in grief and abuse from her marriage, turn into a masterful jewel thief?

According to "Joan," the answer is partly maternal instincts and partly a desire to take control of her life.

Sophie Turner — my favorite of the Stark siblings in "Game of Thrones" — plays real-life diamond thief Joan Hannington with fierce conviction.

The ITV1 show, adapted from Hannington's memoir, "I Am What I Am: The True Story of Britain's Most Notorious Jewel Thief," was reworked for the screen by Anna Symon.

Like many British crime dramas, the six-part show gets right to the heart of the story — it opens with a tense scene in which Joan has to flee with her daughter, before eventually leaving her in foster care because she has no money.

From then on, Joan has two goals: to get her daughter back and make enough money to rebuild her life.

Of course, once she does make money illegally, a sense of invincibility sets in, and at one point, you watch Turner's character enjoy the criminal she's become. These moments are punctuated with affectionate ones as she spends time with her daughter, Kelly, played by Mia Millichamp-Long.

The highlight for me was watching Turner transform and grow episode after episode. But what stayed with me were the choices her character made to survive (and thrive) for her daughter.

IMDb rating: 6.7

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 81%

If it hasn't already been said, 2024 belongs to the anti-hero, specifically one from the DC universe: Oswald Cobb, aka the Penguin.

If you've previously enjoyed films such as "The Godfather" or shows like "The Sopranos," then you'll find yourself drawn to (and seriously hooked on) "The Penguin."

It's a gritty, character-driven crime drama that picks up where Matt Reeves' "The Batman" (2022) left off, focusing on the aftermath of Gotham's destabilization.

But don't worry if you haven't watched the film or aren't a DC fan. The show and its titular antihero, played by an almost unrecognizable Colin Farrell, offer a deep dive into one of Batman's most iconic enemies, giving plenty of backstory throughout.

The noir-inspired narrative is packed with intense drama, moral ambiguity, and power struggles.

The show debuted as an eight-part limited series on HBO, concluding with a jaw-dropping finale that drew 2.1 million viewers across all platforms, Variety reported.

Unsurprisingly, then, it has also been nominated for multiple Golden Globe Awards, including best television limited series and best performance by a male actor in a limited series.

IMDb rating: 8.7

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 95%

"Presumed Innocent" is a gripping legal drama that explores the dark intersections of ambition, betrayal, and justice.

Based on Scott Turow's best-selling novel of the same name, the series reimagines the courtroom thriller for a modern audience.

The story follows Rusty Sabich (played by Jake Gyllenhaal), a talented prosecutor whose life is upended when he becomes the prime suspect in the murder of a colleague he had an affair with.

As secrets unravel, the series dives into complex themes of guilt, loyalty, and the fine line between truth and deception, keeping viewers on the edge until the end.

With a stellar cast, sharp writing, and a tense, atmospheric tone, the show promises a masterclass in suspense.

The eight-episode show, which is streaming on Apple TV+, has already been renewed for a second season and has been nominated for multiple Golden Globes.

IMDb rating: 7.7

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 78%

For true, true crime fans, "The Asunta Case" feels all too familiar.

It is a chilling six-episode miniseries that revisits the 2013 murder of 12-year-old Asunta Yong Fang Basterra Porto in Spain.

Using archival footage, interviews, and courtroom recordings, the series dives into the puzzling details of the case, including the arrest and trial of Asunta's adoptive parents, who were accused in her death.

Unlike other true crime dramas, though, it does not sensationalize or overdramatize an already complex situation. Instead, it uses facts to keep audiences engaged.

At times, the series proceeds very slowly but still offers a sharp breakdown of the case.

The details of the case and the Porto family's dynamics, coupled with a lack of motive, kept me up (and wondering) for several nights.

As of June 2024, the show had garnered 30 million views since it premiered on Netflix.

IMDb rating: 6.8

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 100%

"Griselda" chronicles the rise of Griselda Blanco, the infamous Colombian drug lord who built one of the most lucrative cartels.

The series, which stars Sofía Vergara in a transformative performance, explores Blanco's dual nature as a criminal mastermind and a fiercely protective mother.

Vergara's portrayal is magnetic. She sheds her comedic persona to embody a woman who is as compelling as she is terrifying. Given that I've mostly seen Vergara as Gloria from "Modern Family," initially, I found it hard to picture her as a Colombian drug lord, but I passed that barrier about 20 minutes into the first episode.

Visually, the show captures the 1970s and '80s drug-trade era in stunning detail. The cinematography by Armando Salas shines a light on the dangers of the narcotics empire balanced with intimate moments of Blanco's conflict.

The series occasionally slips in pacing, rushing through certain chapters of Blanco's life while lingering on others that lack depth. Despite this, I found the narrative engaging.

Vergara was rightfully nominated for an Emmy Award in the outstanding lead actor in a limited or anthology series or movie category, but she did not win.

IMDb rating: 7.2

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 86%

Watching "Under the Bridge" left me shaken in a way few shows have.

The miniseries, adapted for TV based on late writer Rebecca Godfrey's 2005 novel of the same name, revisits the heartbreaking 1997 murder of 14-year-old Reena Virk and immediately dives into the complexities of bullying, exclusion, and the systemic failures that allowed this tragedy to unfold.

What struck me most was how raw and real it felt. The performances by Riley Keough, who plays writer Rebecca Godfrey, and Lily Gladstone, who plays Cam, a police officer, were so authentic that I couldn't stop thinking about them long after the episodes ended.

Archie Panjabi, who plays Suman, Virk's grief-stricken mother, is also fantastic on the show.

It isn't your regular post-dinner watch; this one pulls you into its world immediately and then stays with you long after. It doesn't just tell Reena's story from various viewpoints but forces us to confront the issues we often shy away from.

IMDb rating: 7.2

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 86%

A (seemingly) picture-perfect wedding weekend at a stunning Nantucket estate takes a dark turn when the bride's best friend and maid of honor, Merritt Monaco (played by Meghann Fahy), is discovered dead on the beach.

While I spent much of the year immersed in dark, gritty crime dramas, "The Perfect Couple" felt like a refreshing departure.

With its idyllic seaside setting and a cast of well-dressed suspects, the series balances its mystery with a lighter, almost escapist charm. Beneath the polished exterior, though, lay a tangle of secrets and lies that kept me guessing "who did it" until the very end.

The show, which is based on Elin Hilderbrand's 2018 novel of the same name, offers more than just a whodunit — it's a creative exploration of relationships, privilege, and the facades people maintain, all wrapped in a beautifully shot package that feels like a guilty pleasure worth indulging in.

Oh, and did I mention Meghan Trainor's viral-for-the-right-reasons and very catchy dance track "Criminals," which was played at the beginning of the show and had everyone, including me, swaying along each time?

According to Nielsen's September 2-8 report, which The Wrap shared, the show garnered 1.9 billion views in its opening week.

IMDb rating: 6.5

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 66%

Season four of "Abbott Elementary" picks up with Janine (Quinta Brunson) and Gregory (Tyler James Williams) officially dating after their slow-burn romance played in the show's previous seasons. At the start of this season, the pair are unsuccessfully trying to keep their relationship a secret from their Abbott Elementary coworkers when they return to school.

The writing of "Abbott Elementary" remains as sharp and culturally relevant as ever, and the latest season sprinkles in new characters that keep the show fresh and exciting — from Jacob's younger brother Caleb (Tyler Perez) and an IT guy named O'Shon (Matthew Law) whom the staff have a crush on to a lovable guinea pig named Sweet Cheeks who breaks through Melissa's (Lisa Ann Walter) tough exterior. — Olivia Singh

Netflix and Riot Games' "Arcane" is one of the most impressive and ambitious animated works of the past decade — and while it doesn't always find its footing, the end result is still so spectacular.

The series is adapted from Riot Games' massively popular video game "League of Legends," honing in on a small cast of characters who live in Piltover, the gleaming city of progress, and Zaun, its less-than-scintillating undercity. The conflict between the two cities has reached a critical point by season two. Unfortunately for all parties, so has the evolution of Hextech, a magic-powered technology that has spiraled out of control and turned one of its developers into a misguided messiah. Oops!

Season two is nothing if not ambitious and widens its scope while leveling up its already excellent animation, courtesy of the French studio Fortiche. In the process, it loses some of the intimate character work and tight focus that made its first season truly extraordinary. Still, the second season serves as a fitting conclusion and is a harbinger of good things to come from Riot's entertainment arm. — Palmer Haasch

Read Haasch's interview with "Arcane" showrunner Christian Linke.

Few shows caused as much of a stir this year as "Baby Reindeer," starring and written by comedian Richard Gadd. Netflix and the creator himself billed the series as a true story based on Gadd's real-life experience of being stalked by an older woman. Unfortunately, the show's stalker character, Martha Scott, was quickly outed as Fiona Harvey, who took legal action against the streamer.

Despite all the behind-the-scenes controversy, "Baby Reindeer" is a work of art. Gadd lays himself bare as Donny, who's loosely based on himself. He's a powerhouse in episode four, which flashes back to explain the source of Donny's trauma before meeting Martha.

It's an engrossing watch with equally powerful performances from Jessica Gunning, who plays the disturbed but deeply sad Martha, and Nava Mau, who plays Donny's girlfriend, Teri. — Caralynn Matassa

Read about the legal drama behind "Baby Reindeer.'

If "The Boys" is Prime Video's NSFW answer to superhero fare like the Marvel Cinematic Universe, then season four feels like the equivalent of "Avengers: Infinity War" — minus a snap from a villain that wipes out half the universe.

Season four of "The Boys" is darker than past seasons, as the characters confront deep-seated traumas. For an aging Homelander (Anthony Starr), this means grappling with the legacy he'll leave behind for his son Ryan. For his nemesis Billy Butcher (Karl Urban), it means coming to terms with his looming death and trying to prevent Ryan from succumbing to Homelander's darkness.

It's a season filled with even more gory, jaw-dropping scenes and yet another Emmy-worthy performance by Starr, particularly in Homelander's gory homecoming episode.

The endgame is nearing, with a fifth and final season of "The Boys" likely premiering in 2026. Season four ends with the perfect foundation for all hell to break loose one last time. — OS

It's astounding that it took this long for Brian Jordan Alvarez to get a series order after the release of his excellent 2016 web series "The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo" — but thankfully, "English Teacher" premiered this year.

The series stars Alvarez as Evan Marquez, a beleaguered but idealistic Texas high school teacher who comes under fire at work when a parent complains about him kissing his ex-boyfriend in front of the students.

While "English Teacher" embraces the thorny politics of being an American educator in 2024, it doesn't spin them into saccharine teaching moments or cheap jokes. It mines them for character threads and comedy. — PH

With "Fallout," Jonathan Nolan proved that prestige-y video game adaptations weren't exclusive to HBO. Rather than directly adapting one of the multiple games in the postapocalyptic "Fallout" universe, Nolan instead leverages the style, humor, and striking visual identity of the games to show us something new.

"Fallout" stars Ella Purnell as Lucy, a naive resident who grew up in an underground bunker known as a Vault, established to protect humanity from nuclear armageddon. However, after tragedy befalls her home, she ventures to the surface, only to learn it isn't as deserted or unsurvivable as she was led to believe.

The series features stellar performances from Purnell and Walton Goggins, who spends most of the season admirably noseless. And while it's set in the grim aftermath of a nuclear apocalypse, it's also irreverently funny and endearing. — PH

Read Eammon Jacobs' review of "Fallout" and Jason Guerrasio's interview with Walton Goggins.

The Max original "Hacks" has only gotten better with age, and in season three, it feels like the show has hit its stride.

The show follows veteran stand-up comedian Deborah Vance, who, on the coattails of a successful comedy special, is gunning for her dream: a late-night hosting gig. After cutting her young writer, Ava Daniels, loose at the end of season two, Deborah realizes that she needs Ava — and Ava craves working with Deborah again, too.

This central relationship — and all the ways Deobrah and Ava support, encourage, and mess each other up — is constantly in flux. Season three not only succeeded in being funnier and more resonant than its predecessors but also in shifting Deborah and Ava's power dynamic into something new and a bit dangerous ahead of season four. — PH

Read Haasch's interview with "Hacks" stars Carl Clemons-Hopkins and Mark Indelicato.

Move over, "Succession" — there's another contender for the best HBO show about horny, psychopathic capitalists. "Industry," the show about London's most dedicated and depraved bankers, finally broke through to the mainstream with its third season.

Seasons one and two delivered well-written, well-acted, character-driven drama about the highs and lows of a group of young bankers trading stocks (and spit). Still, season three upped the ante, spending more time away from the office in lavish locations, such as the English countryside, a yacht in the Mediterranean, and a Davos-like conference in Switzerland.

The change in scenery enhanced the story and deepened our understanding of the series' core group of complicated characters, most of whom have greatly evolved since we first saw them sitting and sweating at their Pierpoint desks.

All of it leads to an explosive finale that's massive in both budget and sheer plot, effectively wiping the slate clean for a now-confirmed season four. It's an appropriately daring move for a show confident in its vision. It's peak TV at its peak. — Samantha Rollins

Read Rollins' interview with "Industry" showrunners Mickey Down and Konrad Kay.

There were many (many) reality dating shows that aired in 2024. Having regrettably watched most of them, I can confirm that the latest installment of "Love Island USA" blew them all out of the water.

The franchise, which spun off of the UK edition, has the secret sauce that makes this genre sing. It's largely thanks to a format that other shows have tried — and failed — to replicate, wherein participants must constantly recouple to find true love (and win a cash prize).

Season six had a particularly explosive set of personalities among its cast, leading to some serious drama, shocking betrayals, truly memorable moments, and fan-favorite standouts, including Serena Page, Leah Kateb, and Jana Craig. — CM

"A Man on the Inside" is initially presented as a spy mystery series as Charles Nieuwendyk (Ted Danson), a widower who recently lost his wife, accepts a job to go undercover in a retirement home.

That's all background noise to the main event, which follows the lives of a kooky gang of residents who find community with each other after being left behind by their loved ones.

Anyone who has seen Danson in any of his other many roles would not be surprised that he is an incredible leading man. However, the show's real strength is the supporting cast, especially Margaret Avery, Stephen McKinley Henderson, and Sally Struthers, who provide so much humor and heart that they may make you shed tears.

"A Man on the Inside" proves we really need more TV shows centered on older characters, and there's ample talent out there to make those stories worth watching. — Ayomikun Adekaiyero

Read Rollins' interview with "A Man on the Inside" creator Mike Schur.

Prime Video's "Mr. and Mrs. Smith," a reboot of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's 2005 film (mostly in name only), is deeply funny, emotionally stirring, and clever.

Sure, both titles share a similar premise — a husband and wife who are both assassins — but the television series flips it on its head to create something much better.

Donald Glover and Maya Erskine play two strangers who, upon taking a new job as shady agents for a mysterious boss, are paired together as a cover story.

The 10-episode season features a laundry list of guest stars, ranging from Ron Perlman to Micaela Coel. — PH

Read Haasch's review of "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" and Jacobs' interview with guest star Ron Perlman.

Rom-coms are so back.

Six years after Netflix was credited with a rom-com renaissance thanks to hits like "Set It Up" and "To All the Boys I've Loved Before," the streamer struck gold again with "Nobody Wants This," a comedy series starring Kristen Bell and Adam Brody. The show became an instant hit, proving audiences yearn for more high-quality modern rom-coms.

"Nobody Wants This," created by Erin Foster and loosely inspired by her love story, follows Noah (Brody), an attractive and newly single rabbi, and Joanne (Kristen Bell), the outspoken agnostic host of a sex podcast. Despite their different views on religion and lifestyle, they pursue a relationship.

Noah and Joanne's swoon-worthy first kiss scene went viral, people realized that Brody had been leading man material all along, and the show jumped to the No. 2 slot on the streamer's Top 10 list for English-language TV in the week of its debut. Unsurprisingly, "Nobody Wants This" will be returning for a second season, which begins filming in February. — OS

The second attempt at bringing David Nicholls' bestselling novel "One Day" to the screen (after a 2011 film adaptation) is a rousing success.

The novel of the same name is already beautifully tragic, relatable, and perspective-altering, but the Netflix show amplifies all these strengths with gut-punching performances from leads Leo Woodall and Ambika Mod, who play destined lovers Dexter and Emma.

With each episode set in a different year, "One Day" takes audiences on a 14-year journey as the two grow into adults and fall in love with other people and each other, but never at the right time. For romantics or young people worried about the future, this is the show to watch from 2024. — AA

Colin Farrell leads the spinoff sequel to the 2022 film "The Batman," playing the titular comic book villain Oz "Penguin" Cobb. It was fascinating how quickly it became apparent that the show had more in common with "The Sopranos" than nearly anything DC Studios has released.

Farrell utterly transforms as Cobb, the mobster clawing to the top in Gotham after the death of crime boss Carmine Falcone in "The Batman" left a power vacuum. Still, Cristin Milioti is the real standout as Sofia Falcone, Carmine's daughter and accused psychopathic serial killer, fresh out of a stay in Arkham State Hospital. — CM

Read Jacobs' interview with "The Penguin" showrunner Lauren LeFranc.

On its surface, "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" was a show greenlit solely because of a TikTok scandal where several couples in a Mormon community were implicated in an alleged swinging scandal. That premise didn't seem like it'd carry far, but turns out the swinging was possibly the least dramatic thing about these women.

After a moderately slow start, "Secret Lives" turns the dial up to 11 in episode four, a group birthday vacation where all hell breaks loose as the group of friends and frenemies start calling one another out. (Shout out to the truth box, the real MVP.)

It was hard not to root for Taylor Frankie Paul and follow her tumultuous relationship with Dakota Mortensen or to root against the deeply annoying Whitney Leavitt, who became the sleeper villain of season one. We're dying to see what becomes of MomTok when the show returns in 2025. — CM

Read Haasch's interview with Taylor Frankie Paul and Mayci Neeley.

There was no stopping "Shōgun" at the 2024 Emmys, and for good reason. Based on James Clavell's 1975 novel, the stunning historical epic focuses on an English sailor who finds himself shipwrecked in Japan and crosses paths with Lord Toranga, a powerful warlord.

With incredible performances, sweeping visuals, and mesmerizing battle sequences, it's no wonder the show set a record for the most Emmys won by a single season of television and that the creators decided to rethink their limited series plan and continue the show with second and third seasons. — CM

They were the words heard 'round the reality TV-loving world: "Oh lord, not Ekin-Su."

Few shows were as memed as "The Traitors," the US iteration of the international competition series where reality stars and celebrities try to deceive one another to claim a cash prize.

Season one, which aired in 2023, was entertaining, but season two reached new heights, largely thanks to compulsively watchable characters like meme factory Phaedra Parks and "Shahs of Sunset" star MJ Javid, who gave us one of the best reaction shots of the year. — CM

Read Matassa's interview with "Big Brother" alum Dan Gheesling, who tried and failed to extend his gaming skills to "The Traitors."

Not only did "X-Men '97" expertly capture the spirit of the original animated "X-Men" series, but it also made it feel modern and relevant to the 2020s amid some gorgeously animated action.

The performances are seamless with the original show, adding new dimensions to the Marvel Universe that fans, new and old, will appreciate.

It deserves all of the praise for easily navigating the messy Jean Grey/Madelyne Prior clone saga from the comics. Season two can't come quickly enough. — Eammon Jacobs