Most underrated TV shows of 2024, from Pachinko to Presumed Innocent

In the peak era of streaming, where hundreds of TV shows are released a year (some truly incredible), many worthwhile shows may have come and gone unnoticed – some even multiple seasons in.

From lush historical productions to taut action thrillers and reality shows, The National's writers pick their favourite must-watch shows of the year that deserve more spotlight.

New shows

The Sympathizer (HBO)

How did a show featuring one of the world's most popular actors playing four separate roles created by the South Korean director behind Old Boy fall under the radar? Honestly, I still can't figure it out. But If you're looking for a show to binge over the holiday break, The Sympathizer, starring Robert Downey Jr and created by Park Chan-wook, is worthy of discovery on OSN+.

Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning 2015 novel by American writer Viet Thanh Nguyen, the story follows a North Vietnamese spy (Hoa Xuande) who ends up in America as a refugee following the end of his country's war in 1975, all the while continuing to feed information to the Viet Cong.

In one key scene, Downey Jr even appears as all of his characters at once, which led to Xuande having trouble sorting out who was the real Downey Jr and who were his stunt doubles during his constant make-up changes. He told The National. "I kept saying: 'Wait, which one's Robert now?' It was such a fun, exciting challenge."

William Mullally, arts and culture editor

The Madness (Netflix)

It's hard to fault anything Colman Domingo does. The Emmy-winning actor injects so much pizzazz in this limited series, in which he plays a man wrongly accused of murder, that it's easy to excuse many of its implausible turns.

Domingo plays Muncie Daniels, an outspoken black media personality who, while out in the woods to take some solitary time off, stumbles upon a gruesome killing. After reporting the crime, he soon discovers that the person killed was the leader of a white supremacist group and that he is the main suspect. What follows is a series of dangerous twists and turns as Muncie fights to clear his name while also trying to rebuild his fractured relationship with his wife and two grown children, who also become targets.

The Madness does not shy away from hot-button race issues plaguing the US while still delivering a taut thriller that's grounded by Domingo's commanding performance.

David Tusing, assistant features editor

Presumed Innocent (Apple TV+)

American shows have explored every known aspect of their colourful legal system for plot inspiration. But trust veteran showrunner David E Kelly (LA Law, Ally McBeal, The Practice) to come up with a thriller, even if it's based on a 1987 book that was already made into a movie in 1990.

Jake Gyllenhaal plays Rusty Sabich, a successful prosecutor who becomes the prime suspect in the murder of his colleague, with whom he was having an affair. What seems like a rather straightforward premise of a man seeking to prove his innocence, turns into a twisty and sometimes lurid tale of politics, ambition, prejudices and sacrifices.

Kelly has updated the book, injecting touchy themes such as race, as Rusty fights to keep his mixed-race family intact while also giving well-rounded personalities to the women in his life, from his wife Barbara (Ruth Negga in a powerful role) to his girlfriend Carolyn (Renate Reinsve) and his teenage daughter Jaden (Chase Infiniti). The surprise ending, where the killer is revealed, is also different from the book.

David Tusing, assistant features editor

The Cage (Netflix)

This gritty French drama follows Taylor, a young amateur fighter with dreams of making it to the UFC. His life changes overnight after a viral moment. During a live-streamed impromptu match at his gym, Taylor faces off against Ibraham “The Destroyer", a cocky and notoriously violent MMA fighter searching for a sparring partner. Against all odds, Taylor lands a lucky punch, catapulting him into the spotlight as he navigates the high-stakes world of mixed martial arts.

With its intriguing underdog narrative and cliffhangers across its five-episode run, The Cage is an easy binge-watch. MMA and UFC fans will recognise cameos from famous fighters such as Georges St-Pierre, Ciryl Gane, and Jon Jones, as well as an appearance by MMA sports journalist Ariel Helwani, adding to the authentic feel of the show.

Evelyn Lau, assistant features editor

Mr and Mrs Smith (Prime Video)

A series to binge with a loved one over a lazy weekend, Mr and Mrs Smith builds on all the elements that made the 2005 film a favourite. The series, which stars Donald Glover and Maya Erskine, is arguably even better than the original inspiration, as it explores a wider spectrum of emotions and relationship dynamics than the film.

The show is, at its core, a character-driven story, even if it has all the trappings of an action series. It is a drama potent with relatable and universal themes set in a not-so-familiar world of secret spies and espionage. The series racked up quite a few awards in this year’s award season, including two Primetime Emmys.

Razmig Bedirian, arts and culture writer

Killer Soup (Netflix)

A dark crime comedy that might not be to everyone’s taste, this series is loosely based on a real-life 2017 incident in Telangana in South India. In the show, Konkona Sen Sharma plays a nurse-turned-housewife who is on a mission to replace her husband, played by Manoj Bajpayee, with his doppelganger.

What follows is a series of sometimes hilarious but disturbing turn of events. The show takes a while to build up, but its quirky characters, twists and turns and stellar performances by its lead actors will keep you hooked.

Aarti Jhurani, sub-editor

Returning shows

Pachinko, season two (Apple TV+)

In conversations about shows to watch, I'm often the only one raving about Pachinko, Apple's lush drama that follows three generations of a Korean family. Based on American journalist Min Jin Lee's bestselling novel of the same name, the show's timeline spans decades, beginning with Japan's brutal occupation of Korea in the 1900s, until the 1980s in Tokyo, where vestiges of the past threaten to upend relationships and multi-million dollar deals.

Both a history lesson and a story of love, family and loyalty, Pachinko is a sweeping epic that is as intricate as it is heartbreaking. Beautifully produced with stellar performances, the show has earned glowing reviews since its debut (season two aired in August), but frustratingly very little in terms of awards.

David Tusing, assistant features editor

Clarkson’s Farm, season three (Prime Video)

Many people wondered what would become of Jeremy Clarkson in a post-motoring journalism life, and few would have imagined he’d make a reality show about farming rural Britain a riveting watch.

I’ve always loved Clarkson since I was a boy (I once made my parents drive me to the Birmingham motor show in the 1990s so I could meet him), but this show – now on its third season – exudes a kind of warmth that he has not been particularly known for over the decades. What starts as a bit of a laugh turns into a real love letter to the countryside and a deep respect for the people who put food on our tables.

Nasri Atallah, Luxury editor

Trying, season four (Apple TV+)

Apple’s Trying released a fourth season this year with Rafe Spall and Esther Smith back as main characters Jason and Nikki. The first season of this underrated comedy premiered in 2020, finally throwing light on a subject that’s not spoken about enough.

It centres on a couple who desperately want a baby, but can’t have one due to fertility issues. Despite the topic and some heart-wrenching moments, the overall vibe is lighthearted, and the strong chemistry and well-written script make for a relatable on-screen relationship.

There are also a host of quirky supporting characters with their own dramas unfolding. Spoiler alert – this season, as the couple have happily adopted two children, is all about the couple navigating love, life and death with their now teenage daughter Princess and her little brother Tyler.

Hayley Skirka, deputy travel editor