Get ready to level up your binge-watching game with 28 New TV Shows to Not Sleep On.
We’re talking about must-see shows that are bringing fresh vibes to your screen. From the ghosted-mystery solving drama'”Diarra From Detroit’ to the supernatural chills of ‘Them: The Scare,’ and the mind-bending mysteries of ‘Three Body Problem,’ this lineup is a rollercoaster of emotions and thrills. So grab your popcorn, kick back, and get ready to be hooked! These shows are not just entertainment—they’re experiences waiting to unfold. Let’s dive in and discover your next favorite obsession!
READ: 12+ Movies Directed by a Black and Brown Directors Released in 2024 to Watch Now
Supacell
Stream: Netflix
Netflix’s “Supacell” isn’t your typical superhero story. It centers on everyday Black Londoners whose lives get upended when they unexpectedly develop superpowers. There’s no clear reason why it happens, but a shared history of sickle cell disease might be a clue. The show follows these newfound heroes as they grapple with their powers, form a bond, and dodge a shadowy organization that wants to control them. It’s a fresh take on the superhero genre, exploring themes of community, love, identity, and the responsibility that comes with great power.
Diarra From Detroit
Stream: BET Plus
Fresh out of a divorce, Detroit schoolteacher Diarra (played by the show’s creator Diarra Kilpatrick) is looking for a rebound. A Tinder date seems promising, but then…poof! He vanishes. Determined to find out what happened, Diarra stumbles into something much bigger: a decades-old cold case. This dark comedy mixes humor with suspense as Diarra, with the help of her at-first disbelieving friends, digs into the Detroit underworld, all while navigating heartbreak and the complexities of life as a single woman.
Them: The Scare
Stream: Prime Video
While this is the second season, since its an anthology series, we included it.
It’s the second season of the horror anthology “Them.” This season follows LAPD detective Dawn Reeve (Deborah Ayorinde) in 1991 Los Angeles. A brutal murder has shaken even seasoned detectives, and Dawn is determined to find the killer. But as she gets closer to the truth, a darkness seeps in, threatening not just the case but her own family. Expect a suspenseful ride with social undercurrents as Dawn navigates a city on the edge.
Boarders
Stream: Tubi
Boarders is a 2024 BBC Three comedy-drama series about five Black students from London’s inner city who win scholarships to St. Gilbert’s College, a prestigious boarding school. The series follows the students as they experience the highs and lows of boarding school, including racial and economic adversity, feelings of isolation, and fetishism. The show is loosely based on the true story of underprivileged students who received scholarships to a top public school.
Criminal Record
Stream: Apple TV+
London’s justice system gets a reality check in “Criminal Record,” a gripping Apple TV+ drama. A cryptic phone call sets Detective Sergeant June Lenker (Cush Jumbo) on the trail of a decades-old murder case. But this ain’t your average investigation. As June digs deeper, she uncovers a tangled mess of racism, hidden truths, and a powerful cop (played by Peter Capaldi) desperate to keep his dirty laundry buried. Prepare for a clash of wills as June fights for justice, all while navigating a system stacked against her because of her race and gender. “Criminal Record” is more than just a whodunit; it’s a scathing look at how power can corrupt and the fight for truth in the face of overwhelming odds.
The Big Cigar
Stream: Apple TV+
Apple TV+ miniseries “The Big Cigar” isn’t your typical historical drama. It tackles a real-life escape story with a twist. Huey P. Newton, founder of the Black Panther Party (played by André Holland), is on the run from the FBI in the 1970s. Facing murder charges, he seeks an unlikely ally: Hollywood producer Bert Schneider (Alessandro Nivola). Together, they cook up a daring plan – a fake movie production as a cover for Newton’s escape to Cuba. “The Big Cigar” blends political intrigue with espionage thrills, all based on a stranger-than-fiction true story. Expect a suspenseful ride with a dash of Hollywood satire.
Iwaju
Stream: Disney+
The story takes place in a vibrant Lagos of the future, where a wealthy young woman named Tola and a resourceful young man named Kole from opposite sides of the tracks have their lives collide. It’s a coming-of-age story with a sci-fi twist, exploring themes of class differences, defying expectations, and the power of friendship.
Man in Full
Stream: Netflix
Netflix’s “A Man in Full” dives into the downfall of Atlanta real estate mogul Charlie Croker (Jeff Daniels). Croker’s facing financial ruin, and the series unfolds as he fights to hold onto his crumbling empire. It’s not just a financial drama though, it explores themes of ambition, race, and the complexities of success in the modern South. At six episodes, it’s a miniseries that might pique your interest if you’re looking for a character-driven story with a touch of social commentary.
Three Body Problem
Stream: Netflix
The Three-Body Problem is a science fiction novel by Liu Cixin that was published in 2008. The series portrays a fictional past, present and future wherein Earth encounters an alien civilization from a nearby system of three Sun-like stars orbiting one another, a representative example of the three-body problem in orbital mechanics.
The Gentlemen
Stream: Netflix
When aristocratic Eddie inherits the family estate, he discovers that it’s home to an enormous weed empire, and its proprietors aren’t going anywhere.
Presumed Innocent
Stream: Apple TV+
“Presumed Innocent,” a miniseries based on Scott Turow’s best-selling novel, throws you into the heart of a shocking murder case.
Rusty Sabich (played by Jake Gyllenhaal), a respected deputy prosecutor in Chicago, finds his world turned upside down when a close colleague is brutally murdered. But the nightmare doesn’t end there. Evidence starts to point towards Rusty himself. Suddenly, he’s fighting not just for his freedom, but for his reputation and his family’s future. The series delves into the complexities of the justice system, the burden of suspicion, and the fight to maintain innocence in the face of mounting pressure.
Three Little Birds
Stream: Britbox
The six-part drama series is inspired by Henry’s mother’s stories about leaving Jamaica for Britain in the 1950s. The series follows three young women, Leah, Chantrelle, and Hosanna, as they start a new life in England in 1957. As of January 31, 2024, there is no official announcement on whether the series will be renewed for a second season.
The Vince Staples Show
Stream: Netflix
Kind of famous and sort of rich, rapper-actor Vince Staples navigates the challenges of everyday life in his hometown of The Beach.
Shogun
Stream: FX Networks/Hulu
This recent adaptation of Clavell’s novel takes a fresh look at the story. Set in the same period, it follows the same basic premise: an English pilot, John Blackthorne (now played by Cosmo Jarvis), is shipwrecked in Japan and encounters the ruthless Lord Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada). However, this version delves deeper into the cultural clash, with much of the dialogue in Japanese. The series explores themes of power, loyalty, and the struggle for survival in a world on the precipice of war.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Stream: Prime Video
John and Jane Smith become secret agents for a mysterious organisation. Their work puts both their skills as spies and their relationship to the test. The two have to deal with a world full of dangers.
Queenie
Stream: Hulu
Queenie (played by Dionne Brown) is a 25-year-old Jamaican-British woman caught between two cultures. After a messy breakup with her longtime boyfriend, Queenie tries to numb the pain with…well, not the healthiest choices. But as the fun wears thin, Queenie’s forced to confront some demons from her past. This coming-of-age story explores self-discovery, navigating complicated relationships (think family drama!), and figuring out who you are when you don’t quite fit in anywhere. “Queenie” is a relatable and honest take on a young woman’s journey to find herself, with a good dose of humor to keep things interesting.
Clipped
Stream: Hulu
Clipped dives into the real-life scandal that rocked the NBA: the downfall of the Los Angeles Clippers owner, Donald Sterling (played by Laurence Fishburne). This FX on Hulu series isn’t just about basketball. It explores the chaos behind the scenes as Sterling’s racist remarks explode in the media. Meanwhile, the team’s coach, Doc Rivers (played by Ed O’Neill), tries to keep things together and lead them to a championship. Throw in a power struggle between Sterling’s wife and his mistress, and you’ve got a recipe for drama on and off the court. If you enjoy sports stories with a side of social commentary, “Clipped” might be your next binge-watch.
True Detective: Night Country
Stream: Max
*While this is the fourth season, since its an anthology series, we included it.*
In the desolate Alaskan town of Ennis, darkness descends in more ways than one on HBO’s “True Detective: Night Country.” Detectives Liz Danvers (Jodie Foster) and Evangeline Navarro (Kali Reis) find themselves entangled in two chilling cases. First, a group of scientists vanish from a remote research station under mysterious circumstances. Then, a gruesome discovery connects this disappearance to the unsolved murder of a young Indigenous woman years ago. As Danvers and Navarro dig deeper, they uncover a web of secrets buried beneath the icy Alaskan landscape. Expect a haunting and atmospheric crime drama that explores themes of power, corruption, and the lingering wounds of the past.
Genius: MLK/X
Stream: ABC/Hulu
Forget the history books – “Genius: MLK/X” on Hulu throws a fresh perspective on two civil rights icons. Instead of pitting Martin Luther King Jr. (played by Kelvin Harrison Jr.) and Malcolm X (played by Aaron Pierre) against each other, this series explores the surprising parallels in their lives and activism. We jump back and forth between their journeys, seeing how their experiences shaped their fight for racial equality. It’s not all sunshine and speeches though. The series tackles the complexities of their approaches, the tensions that arose, and the impact it all had on their families (Coretta Scott King played by Weruche Opia and Betty Shabazz played by Jayme Lawson).
The Acolyte
Stream: Disney+
Buckle up for a Star Wars adventure unlike any other! “The Acolyte,” dives deep into the shadowy past of the galaxy far, far away. Set during the High Republic era, long before the Skywalker saga, the series follows a Jedi Master (played by Lee Jung-jae) on a critical mission. A wave of disturbing crimes rocks the galaxy, and he’s tasked with unraveling the mystery. His investigation leads him to a former Padawan (possibly Amandla Stenberg’s character) and forces them to confront sinister forces threatening the very foundation of the Jedi Order. Described as a mystery-thriller, “The Acolyte” promises to explore the dark side of the Force and the hidden secrets lurking within the Republic.
Baby Reindeer
Stream: Netflix
“Baby Reindeer” on Netflix isn’t a light and cuddly show despite the name. It’s a dark comedic thriller. The story centers on a struggling comedian, Donny (played by Richard Gadd, who also created the show). A seemingly kind act towards a troubled woman, Martha, spirals into a terrifying situation. Donny becomes entangled in Martha’s obsession, forcing him to confront a buried trauma from his past. Be prepared for psychological twists and turns as “Baby Reindeer” explores themes of manipulation, mental health, and the cost of kindness.
Dead Hot
Stream: Tubi
Tubi’s “Dead Hot” isn’t your typical ghost hunting show. This dark comedy centers around two best friends, Elliot and Jess. Five years ago, they lost Peter, Elliot’s first love and Jess’s twin brother, under mysterious circumstances. Now, a DNA test throws their world upside down, hinting Peter might still be alive. Grief, unresolved feelings, and a sprinkle of the supernatural collide as Elliot and Jess embark on a hilarious and suspenseful quest for the truth. Get ready for a rollercoaster ride with witty dialogue, unexpected twists, and a dash of paranormal chills.
X-Men ’97
Stream: Disney+
Picking up right where the beloved 90s cartoon left off, X-Men ’97 throws our mutant heroes back into the fray. With Professor X missing after a near-fatal attack, the X-Men face a world more divided than ever. Stepping into the leadership role is none other than their former foe, Magneto. Will he guide the team towards a peaceful coexistence with humanity, or will his past resurface? Meanwhile, Storm and Wolverine grapple with leading the team without Xavier’s guidance. New threats emerge, and the X-Men must unite to protect their mutant haven while facing the unexpected consequences of Professor X’s absence.
Elsbeth
Stream: CBS
Astute but unconventional attorney Elsbeth Tascioni utilizes her singular point of view to make unique observations and corner brilliant criminals alongside the NYPD.
Big Mood
Stream: Tubi
“Big Mood” dives into the messy reality of best friendships. Longtime BFFs Maggie (played by Nicola Coughlan) and Eddie are practically attached at the hip. But with graduation looming and adulting beckoning, their codependent world starts to crumble. Maggie’s got big dreams and a wild streak, while Eddie’s content with staying put. Will their friendship survive this turning point? “Big Mood” is a hilarious and honest look at a friendship pushed to the limit, with a healthy dose of self-discovery thrown in for good measure. Get ready for awkward encounters, bad decisions made in the name of friendship, and the question of whether these two can redefine their bond for a new chapter in life.
Fallout
Stream: Prime Video
Picture a world ravaged by nuclear war, a wasteland crawling with mutants and raiders. That’s the setting for “Fallout,” the new Amazon Prime series based on the popular video games. Welcome to 2277 Los Angeles, a city rebuilt from the ashes. Years underground in posh Vaults have left some folks a little…sheltered. Enter Vault dweller Dweller (insert your name here, well, almost!), forced to navigate this harsh new reality. It’s not all post-apocalyptic chic though. There are shadowy factions vying for power, strange creatures lurking in the wasteland, and a mystery to unravel. Will you become a wasteland warrior or a smooth-talking trader? The choice is yours (well, kind of, within the narrative of the show). “Fallout” is a wild ride through a retro-futuristic wasteland, perfect for fans of the games and newcomers alike.
Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show
Stream: Max
Comedian Jerrod Carmichael takes you on a darkly funny journey in his quest for love, sex, and connection in “Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show” (HBO). Expect a documentary-style series that’s not your typical reality TV. Jerrod interacts with friends, family, and even strangers as he searches for meaning and intimacy. It’s a bumpy ride with awkward moments, honest reflections, and moments of poignancy. Think of it as a hilarious and thought-provoking exploration of modern relationships, all filtered through Jerrod’s unique comedic lens.
Parish
Stream: AMC/AMC Plus
Haunted by the violent murder of his son, Gray Parish finds himself thrust into an adrenaline-charged thrill ride through the criminal underworld; with no escape, the wrong way may be his only way out.