BABY REINDEER

In what seems like forever ago, Baby Reindeer quietly burst on to the scene almost exclusively through internet chatter and word of mouth. Truth be told, that was even the case for me, and I follow new and upcoming shows very closely. A British miniseries that features no known stars and a title that gives absolutely zero hint as to what it might be about, Baby Reindeer could have easily gotten lost in the shuffle like so many other international Netflix shows. Instead, it went on to be one of the most buzzed about series of the year en route to winning six Emmys and two Golden Globes while making stars out of Richard Gadd and Jessica Gunning. It’s best if you go in blind, if that’s even possible at this point, so I won’t get into plot details, but know that you will laugh, cringe, recoil, cover your eyes, be heartbroken, feel things you wouldn’t expect, and never be less than 100 percent spellbound. - Quentin

Baby Reindeer is currently streaming on Netflix.

SUGAR

I'm a sucker for a good detective noir, and Sugar is basically a love letter to the genre. It's sleek yet gritty, and it even incorporates some films of yesteryear to tell its story. However, it's Colin Farrell who makes it work as well as it does. Yes, John Sugar (Farrell) is a detective, but it’s the infusion of humanity and empathy into the character that make him so engaging. Then there's that twist. I'm going to avoid getting into specifics as I implore you to check out the series yourself, but it promises to change the trajectory of everything moving forward. Farrell's continued exploration of this character would have been enough to hook me, but the late season revelations have piqued my interest for a second season even more. Another Apple TV+ gem you need to check out. - Nick

Sugar is currently streaming on Apple TV+. It has been renewed for Season Two, likely coming in 2026.

WISE GUY: DAVID CHASE AND THE SOPRANOS

Admittedly, Wise Guy: David Chase and the Sopranos probably only works for people who have seen The Sopranos. That said, considering The Sopranos was an awards juggernaut that went off the air more than 15 years ago, not to mention that many consider it to be the greatest show of all time and the godfather of “prestige television,” that should be most people. In this two-part docuseries, the typically reclusive Sopranos creator David Chase offers behind-the-scenes and personal insight into the writing, casting, and impact of the series through an uncharacteristically candid interview and archival footage. On top of that, you learn about the man himself, seeing the parallels between the series and his own life. For Sopranos fans, it's an engaging nostalgia bomb that should drive them to rewatch the landmark series. - Quentin

Wise Guy: David Chase and the Sopranos is currently streaming on Max.

CREATURE COMMANDOS

After two Suicide Squad films in the span of six years, I can't say I was particularly clamoring for another villain team-up. However, not only did Creature Commandos prove me wrong, but it’s also the best version of this sub-genre we've seen. Making the series animated gives it much more opportunity to showcase extreme violence, tell layered and complex stories, and separate itself from the Squad films. It also focuses on an entirely new cast of characters (save for Viola Davis' Amanda Waller) and instantly establishes them through tragic backstories. Add in a tremendous voice cast, and you've got a spectacular start to James Gunn's DC Universe. - Nick

Creature Commandos is currently streaming on Max. It has been renewed for Season Two, likely coming in late 2025.

THE PENGUIN

If you’ve been paying attention, you might have noticed that DC is in the early stages of overtaking Marvel, especially on the television front, and they are doing it from multiple angles. Not only do you have James Gunn’s Peacemaker and Creature Commandos, but you’ve also got Matt Reeves’ Elseworld Batman universe, which delivered us a knockout series in The Penguin. Even if you hate superheroes, this The Sopranos-like miniseries is compelling, featuring remarkably written villains who elicit your sympathy even as they do dastardly things. There is almost no mention of Batman, superpowers, or capes, but there is a Golden Globe-winning performance from an unrecognizable Colin Farrell. Fans of gritty crime dramas should check it out. - Quentin

The Penguin is currently streaming on Max.

MASTERS OF THE AIR

Regardless of where his career goes, Masters of the Air will always be the place I was introduced to Austin Butler's undeniable star power. It's not just his command of the screen, it's the way he does it so effortlessly. Beyond his performance (and the rest of the supporting cast), this is a series that checks all the boxes… and I do mean all of them. Visuals? Check. Direction? Check. Score? Check. Effects? Check. This stunning series stands along with Band of Brothers as one of the greatest World War II series ever made, yet sadly didn't receive the same accolades. Don't let this be another show that lives in obscurity on Apple TV+. It's far too good for that. - Nick

Masters of the Air is currently streaming on Apple TV+.

SHŌGUN

If you haven’t made it a point to watch Shōgun yet, I don’t know what I can say that hasn’t already been said to change your mind, but here we go… Let’s talk about the awards and acclaim. Did you know that it set a record for most Emmy wins for a single season of television with 18, including Outstanding Drama Series and four acting-related awards? It also won a haul of Golden Globes, Television Critics Association Awards, and Astra TV Awards, among others. Plus, with 137 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, only ONE guy gave it a bad review (who hurt you, Rohan Naahar of The Indian Express?). But maybe that doesn’t mean anything to you. Do you care about compelling drama, outstanding visuals, sweeping grandeur, incredible performances, well-developed characters, political intrigue, and feeling powerful emotions? Because Shōgun has all of that in spades. How about the fact that it is so damn good that it has been renewed for two more seasons even though it was conceived as a miniseries? Don’t want to listen to snooty critics and self-congratulatory awards shows, I get it; but listen to me — Shōgun will go down as one of the best shows this decade. - Quentin

Season One of Shōgun is currently streaming on Hulu. It has been renewed for Season Two and Season Three, with Season Two likely coming in 2026.

X-MEN ‘97

A lot of shows we grew up on just don't hold up anymore, so when Disney+ added X-Men: The Animated Series to the streaming platform, I was pleasantly surprised to find that this childhood cartoon still landed with me as I sit here in my early 30s. I must not have been the only one because, soon after, we got the sequel series X-Men '97, and it's everything you could have hoped for. By bringing back most of the original voice cast (minus those no longer with us), the transition is seamless, while the updated animation and storytelling somehow improves upon the original. I was glued to the TV with each passing episode, just as I was in my adolescence. The anticipation of the X-Men's MCU debut has been palpable, but if this series is any indication, they're clearly in good hands. - Nick

X-Men ‘97 is currently streaming on Disney+. It has been renewed for Season Two and Season Three, with Season Two likely coming in 2025.

FIGHT NIGHT: THE MILLION DOLLAR HEIST

On paper, I was probably going to like Fight Night, no matter what. It’s got a stellar cast, including some of the best African American actors not named Denzel (Samuel L. Jackson, Taraji P. Henson, Don Cheadle, Terrence Howard, and, yes, even Kevin Hart in a career-best dramatic performance). It has a tremendously authentic 70s soul vibe, from the hair to the fashion to the soundtrack to the scene transitions. Half of its episodes are directed by Craig Brewer, who also directed Hustle & Flow, Black Snake Moan, and Dolemite is My Name. And, finally, just look at the title — heist, baby! So, yeah, I knew before I even saw the first trailer that this was going to be my jam. All that aside, though, the thing is… this is just a damn good show. Sure, all those things that speak to me help, but it’s also funny, thrilling, entertaining, intense, socially relevant, stylish, and most of all, a good-ass time. - Quentin

Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist is currently streaming on Peacock.

PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS

I’ve never read the Percy Jackson books, and the film adaptation in 2010 didn't interest me enough to even watch the sequel. Honestly, the only reason I checked out Percy Jackson and the Olympians was because fellow Bitesizer Amarú was so high on its potential. Let me tell you — potential reached. Much like the Harry Potter films, this series follows three children on their journey throughout a magical universe, except wizards are replaced with mythological gods. It's a unique concept that features great world building and a young energetic cast that carries the story, resulting in an exciting adventure series that never feels like a "kid's show" thanks to its action, humour, and most importantly, pacing. I'm glad I listened to Amarú as this is the adaptation the series deserves. - Nick

Percy Jackson and the Olympians is currently streaming on Disney+. It has been renewed for Season Two, set to be released in 2025.

THE DAY OF THE JACKAL

In recent years, there has been a glut of espionage-tinged series, especially on streaming services. Hell, I can think of more than a dozen that have been released just since 2023. For the most part, they all kinda blur together, even if they are generally pretty decent, so it’s refreshing when one takes a different approach. The Day of the Jackal, which is based on a novel that has been adapted several times (most of you are probably most familiar with 1997’s The Jackal starring Bruce Willis), flips the script by humanizing the globe-trotting assassin (a cold-blooded and incredible Eddie Redmayne), which makes you root for him even as he is being chased by the nominal hero, an MI6 agent (a soulful yet not-to-be-messed-with Lashana Lynch). In an over-crowded genre, Jackal stands out, which is more than enough to earn my recommendation. - Quentin

Season One of The Day of the Jackal is currently streaming on Peacock. It has been renewed for Season Two, likely coming in late 2025.

THE WALKING DEAD: THE ONES WHO LIVE

Look, I get it, I'm the Walking Dead guy. I've often been high on the series' spinoffs, and sorry, but you're just going to get more of that here. The Ones Who Live is the best spinoff of the main series. Genuinely. Sure, the show lost some viewers following Glenn's (Steven Yeun) demise, but the bigger drop in viewership came with the disappearance of Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln). This follow-up brings him back alongside Danai Gurira's Michonne, and it's a welcome return. Yes, it's a love story within the Walking Dead Universe, but it’s done in a way that is carefully curated (Lincoln and Gurira were co-creators of the series), so it brings back some of the best aspects of the early series. If you dropped off and are looking for closure, The Ones Who Live is here to help. - Nick

The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live is currently streaming on AMC+.