The Phoenix’s Top New Shows of 2024

Drama and dirty jokes dominated the small screen for The Phoenix’s staff’s favorite shows of 2024.

“English Teacher” – Mao Reynolds

From the delightfully eccentric brain of former YouTube short-form creator Brian Jordan Alvarez, “English Teacher” is clever, quick and current. 

Alvarez stars as Evan Marquez, a gay English teacher at an Austin high school.

Released Sept. 2 on FX, “English Teacher” combines the wholesomeness of “Abbott Elementary” with the cynicism of “A.P. Bio.” But it’s more than just a hybrid — it’s rife with references to gay culture and not-quite-chronically-online humor. 

And while the sitcom may become dated with features from TikTokkers whose 15 minutes of fame are long-gone, it’s saved by relatable, heartfelt moments like Evan contemplating a future with his situationship.

“English Teacher” achieves a balance of rapid-fire rhythm and raunchy jokes in just eight episodes. It’s far more exciting than a lackluster lecture — but just as fun and foul-mouthed as whispered discussions between friends in the back of a classroom.

“My Lady Jane” – Eliza Thomas

“History remembers her as the ultimate damsel in distress,” Oliver Chris says in the opening narration. “What if history were different?” 

Released June 27, “My Lady Jane” is a magical, sarcastic and fiery retelling of the story of Lady Jane Grey, the infamous Nine Day Queen of England — and the most recent historical figure to receive a modern makeover. 

Instead of her short rule ending in a gruesome beheading, the Amazon Prime Video series follows the stubborn and witty Jane (Emily Bader) as she deals with her sudden rise to the throne. Simultaneously, she handles a shape-shifting race on the brink of revolution, an angsty but handsome love interest with a secret and a treasonous plot to take back the throne. 

Needless to say, it’s not historically accurate.

Nevertheless, “My Lady Jane” imbues raunchy humor and a girl-power attitude into its eight episodes, emphasizing its modernity through swear words and slang in a rebellious, not-your-grandma’s-history-lesson manner. 

It’s fast-paced, swoony and sassy — everything a historical retelling should be.

“The Penguin” – Brendan Parr

“The Penguin” abandons bat-themed theatrics to tell a standalone, hawkish story.

Spinning off from 2022’s “The Batman,” “The Penguin” follows crime lord Oz Cobb — nicknamed Penguin for his clubfoot — as he builds an empire in Gotham City’s underworld.

Created by “The Batman” director Matt Reeves and showrunner Lauren LeFranc, the series deals in unseemly politics and morally bankrupt characters. Colin Farrell as the titular criminal gives an unrecognizable performance, shielded behind grimy prosthetics, conveying a fragile man who’ll kill his way to kingpin status.

At odds with Oz’s aspirations is the murderous Sofia Falcone, played by Cristin Milioti. The heiress to Gotham’s Falcone crime family — and a convicted serial killer — Miloti depicts Sofia’s seductive and viscous nature as she brutally rebuilds the family in her image.

“The Penguin” combines the mafioso antics of “The Sopranos” with the pristine yet bloody presentation of a David Fincher feature. The series’ surprising depth and detail adds another feather to Reeves’ growing “Batman Epic Crime Saga.”

“Under the Bridge” – Xavier Barrios

Starring Riley Keough and Lily Gladstone, “Under the Bridge” is a true crime drama based on the eponymous nonfiction novel by Rebecca Godfrey. 

Rebecca, played by Keough, returns to her small town in Canada to take a break from the bustling New York City life. Upon her arrival, she finds herself in the middle of a missing persons investigation, which leads her to cross paths with former lover Cam Bentland, played by Gladstone. 

Deciding to take matters into her own hands, Rebecca turns the case into her next novel by collecting interviews with suspects, the missing girl’s parents and the police — despite Cam’s warning not to intervene. 

Though Keough and Gladstone are the show’s top names, the true powerhouse is Archie Panjabi’s Suman Virk, the mother of missing Reena Virk. Panjabi’s heartache, guilt and grief cascade across the scene, filling each scene with her acting prowess. 

“Under the Bridge” doesn’t create a grotesque, romanticized drama, but keeps its source material close, honoring the work of Godfrey and the life of Virk. 

“ted” – Matt Sorce

After nearly a decade of dormancy, the irreverent stuffed bear Ted returns for a seven-episode prequel series — following two subpar movies in the early 2010s.

Released Jan. 11 on Peacock, “ted” is stuffed with writer and director Seth MacFarlane’s raunchy, tactless humor, as well as exploring surprisingly heartfelt moments as Ted guides a teenaged John Bennett (Max Burkholder) through adolescence in the early ‘90s.

With themes ranging from social anxiety to queer rights, the series tastefully balances absurdity with sincerity — a nuance absent from the original duology.

While the series still delivers plenty of absurd humor, John and Ted’s chemistry is more heartfelt, making the duo’s friendship more relatable and multidimensional. Ted’s sharp wit and rebellious nature complements John’s awkwardness — the pair evokes the feel of siblings ripped straight  from a ‘90s sitcom.

Beyond the jokes, their connection is built on genuine care, giving “ted” an unexpected emotional core.