2024 will have been particularly dense in terms of series. The big platforms have pulled out all the stops to entertain us and there have been many successes. Historical creations, psychological thrillers or even dark comedies, to name just a few, we were spoiled for choice. After a long phase of reflection, it’s time to reveal our favorite series of the year.
Fiasco on Netflix
Fiasco is one of the nicest surprises for me this year. I wasn’t expecting anything from this Netflix series and I was pleasantly won over. I loved this cringe humor which is inspired by The Office while finding your own style. This nugget is also the opportunity to find a bunch of talented young French actors and the gang of Pierre Niney and Igor Gotesman who seem to have had fun on the set. I hope the success was enough to give hope for new productions of this type in the future.
Shogun on Disney+
Shogun I also really liked Disney+. I immediately appreciated this exotic dive into 17th century Japan. The struggles for power following the death of the national leader are clearly captivating. This production is also a gem on a visual level, while wonderfully adapting a story which, in the previous version, gave pride of place to the white man who came to bring civilization to the Japanese. The scenario subtly reshuffles the cards and still manages to surprise us. We can call it a masterpiece at this point.
Disclaimer on Apple TV+
Disclaimer is the excellent surprise of this end of year on Apple TV+. In this psychological thriller, Oscar-winning director Alfonso Cuarón keeps us in suspense throughout the seven episodes. Over time, we end up wondering if we ourselves have misunderstood the characters and the subtle narration does the rest. This gem reminded me a little of the film Gone Girl but the series format allows it to deepen its characters and offer us nice surprises.
Samuel on Arte
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woIaitMj4FM
2024 was a good year for series fans. Between the return of House of the Dragonthe exit of The Penguin or the adaptation of the literary saga The 3-body problemthere was something for everyone. Recently, I fell in love with Dune Prophecy. But I had to make a choice for this selection of my favorite series of 2024. In doing a little retrospective of the year, two series stand out in my heart. First, there was Samuel. This is a simple animated series that does it all. On a white background, the designs are extremely minimalist. But the animation is mastered to perfection and the subjects intelligently approached by Samuel are universal.
For the pitch, it’s just as simple: Samuel is 10 years old, and his problem is that he loves the big Julie but she loves Dimitri. Except Dimitri sucks and is a braggart. But Samuel doesn’t have just one problem, actually. His mother made beef with carrots, his mistress isn’t nice and he’s not really sure he’s cool anymore. So Samuel recounts all his worries in his diary… And to us, by extension. Full of nostalgia, Samuel is an animated series which transcribes with remarkable accuracy the strange period between childhood and preadolescence.
If the series Samuel spoke to me so much, it’s because it takes place in 2006 and I too was 10 years old that year and had similar problems to those of the protagonist. Especially since the animated series is extremely well written, with poetry and sincerity. With 21 episodes of approximately 5 minutes each, the format of Samuel is the icing on the cake. It’s available for free on Arte.tv or directly on YouTube on the Courts Ouverts d’Arte channel.
Also read – Don’t miss Samuel on Arte: a nugget of animation that takes us back to childhood
Cult on Prime Video
I like it when a series comes to grab me without me expecting it. This is the case of Worship on Prime Video. The series takes us behind the scenes of the very first reality TV show in France: Loft Story. Because yes, there was a before and an after.
I had heard about it and although I found the idea attractive, this series was not one of my priorities. It was without counting on my roommate who insisted a little on starting this. That day, I had a somewhat tight schedule, and I didn’t necessarily plan to finish the first episode. But in a few minutes, Worship got me. With its frantic and perfectly controlled pace, we quickly get caught up in the game and can’t wait to see the next episode.
In addition to showing us the various behind-the-scenes maneuvers to produce Loft Story and the multiple power plays of TV, the series succeeds in highlighting the societal dimension that the broadcast of the show took on in France. Those not so young surely remember it. To avoid spoiling anything at the party, Marie Colomb (Laëtitia) is stunning in the role of Loana while Anaïde Rozam is equally impressive in the role of Isabelle de Rochechouart (in reality, Alexia Laroche-Joubert).
Worshipit’s a bit of a horse on which I wouldn’t have bet much, and yet…. The series is made up of 6 episodes which can be binge-watched with pleasure on Prime Video.
Also read – Cult (Prime Video): do we skip or watch the new series on the creation of Loft Story?
A perfect couple
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdpQuXTWup0
5-star casting for this Netflix mini-series that came out of nowhere. In A perfect couple, Nicole Kidman plays the role of a successful author who takes refuge in her grandiose Nantucket estate to celebrate the marriage of her son to a “commoner” (Eve Hewson, previously seen in the excellent Bad Sisterson Apple TV+).
During the night before the wedding, a murder is committed. What follows is an investigation into this large, wealthy family where reputation is more important than family ties.
Behind a fairly basic storyline hides a mini-series with multiple twists and turns, carried by actors at the top of their art. Nicole Kidman excels as the detestable stepmother, Liev Schreiber (Ray Donovan) is breathtaking in the role of the husband as submissive as he is sexy, Eve Hewson impresses as the upset bride. The secondary roles are just as convincing: Isabelle Adjani (you read that correctly) is… Isabelle Adjani, superb. Unmissable.
Presumed innocent
Since Jean-Yves has given himself the scoop by selecting Disclaimer (also a favorite for me), my second choice turns to Presumed Innocent, a series adaptation of the famous novel by Scott Turow, already revisited in the cinema several times.
In this 8-episode mini-series, a renowned prosecutor finds himself entangled in a murder case against a backdrop of adultery. We follow his obstacle course to prove his innocence throughout the 8 episodes with what this implies in his family and friend circle.
What a joy to find Jack Gyllenhall in this role which suits him perfectly. The actor manages to carry a scenario that fans of twist will appreciate. Ruth Negga, who plays his wife, bursts the screen from the first to the last second. A little nugget not to be missed, even for those who have already seen the films or read the book.
