Doctor Who to Clarkson’s Farm: your best TV of the year so far

Clarkson’s Farm

Prime Video
Clarkson’s Farm is the funniest programme on TV. My father, who was a teacher after the war, always wanted to be a farmer and this is how I think it would have turned out. Clarkson’s ability to strike out on his own, only to be reined in by his more savvy “staff” make this show a joy. The scene with him using a Mr Henry to collect blackberries is only surpassed by it actually working and Kaleb’s visit to Downing Street should have warned us all about the soon-to-be-former prime minister. Nicholas Johnson, Brentford

Inside No 9

BBC
I don’t understand why this hasn’t blown up in the same way Black Mirror did. Pound for pound, some of the greatest storytelling in the medium; a series that can make you cry tears of sadness, joy, empathy and flat-out horror. It’ll also make you hoot with laughter. They have more imagination in their pinkies than many other series. Anand Modha, London

We Are Lady Parts

Channel 4
We Are Lady Parts has simply blown me away. This show hits so many of the right notes – the ongoing feminist struggle, opportunity to learn about other cultures, engaging characters and of course punk music which has lived in my heart since my teens. Ever since I found this show I have had Voldemort Under My Headscarf playing in my head. I have recommended this show to all my friends. Mitzi Hicks Arvada, Colorado, USA

Eric

Netflix

I’m not sure I’ve ever seen another TV show that so perfectly recreates the era it’s set in as Eric. The clothes, the sets, everything; the attention to detail is staggering. And that’s before we get to the storytelling. Abi Morgan miraculously crams in thoughtful meditations on mental illness, addiction, Aids, gentrification, institutional racism, parental neglect and abuse, homelessness and political corruption and the result feels so light, so effortless. It feels like one of the sorts of 80s movies they don’t make any more. And surely this is Cumberbatch’s standout role. Charlie Dryden, Leicestershire

Outer Range

Prime Video
It is rare to watch a TV show where you have no idea what could happen next. Outer Range not only achieves this, but it also exceeds expectations in its execution. The acting is superb – especially Josh Brolin, Imogen Poots and Olive Abercrombie (one to watch). The surprises are organic, fundamental to the unravelling story and add layers to the characters. The end of season two is tantalising. Exceptional writing and storytelling. David, Northern Ireland

3 Body Problem

Netflix

Having been so bored by what the Netflix machine churns out and despairing that I’d find anything new to watch, along came this show which hooked me from the start and kept me intrigued, excited and scared throughout. The actors were mostly all great, it looked lovely and it had big ideas and moved quickly so you never felt there was any filler. Steve Thompson, Guildford

Criminal Record

Apple TV+
Criminal Record is a gripping gem on Apple TV+. In this eight-part crime thriller, we go on a journey of revelation and pain as the unlikely detective duo of Cush Jumbo and Peter Capaldi battle to make good a possible miscarriage of justice. It’s a well-trodden story but the relationship between Hegarty and Jumbo makes this an emotional rollercoaster. Detective inspector Hegarty (Capaldi), a tired, cynical cop is revealed to be as complex as he is obtuse while his adversary Detective Lenker (Jumbo) is a tour de force; a modern, angry policewoman. It’s a relevant and often uncomfortable watch. Esther Stone, Bristol

Bridgerton

Netflix

My top TV show of 2024 is Bridgerton, season three. As an Irish woman I really love that Nicola Coughlan is getting the exposure she deserves. Also, as a 5ft 2in woman with a full figure, it’s nice to see somebody like me look spectacular and glamorous in a leading lady role. Bridgerton is the perfect high-end soap opera. Tara, London

Coma

Channel 5
I could equally have gone for Mr Bates vs the Post Office, but while that show depicted true events, I think Coma scores because the plot ratchets up in such a plausible way, unlike most dramas on telly where disbelief doesn’t only have to be suspended but completely terminated. It adds to the genuine jeopardy of this show. The writing and performances (particularly Jason Watkins and Joseph Armstrong) are absolutely convincing and compelling. This was a standout drama for me. Vaughan Leslie, Hebden Bridge

Doctor Who

BBC One/Disney+
Doctor Who is back, and it is fun again. Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor is electrifying and Millie Gibson’s Ruby Sunday has quickly managed to climb the ranks of my favourite companions. I find so much joy not only in watching it, but also in speculating about the many mysteries the new season offers (Who is Ruby? What is Susan Twist’s role? Who is The One Who Waits?) Sure, it’s not perfect, but it is bold – and great entertainment. It feels old and new at the same time and that is no small feat. I know the Disney deal is controversial, but I love the fact that I can watch it here without having to wait for years. Lisa, Germany

Ripley

Netflix
Ripley was astonishing TV – it is rare to watch a show that stays lingering (in black and white) in the back of your mind throwing up constant teasers of gorgeous locales, tense conversations, sinister movements. Andrew Scott somehow never veers even near the precipice of overacting – constantly hinting, slying, evading. The series touches close to the novels then twists gleefully away from them when it pleases, but never in an annoying fashion. Ripley has been done before, but never as elegantly as this. Lionel Duffy, Dublin

Things You Should Have Done

BBC Three/iPlayer

Having never heard of Chi with a C or Lucia Keskin before Things You Should Have Done appeared on BBC iPlayer, I really enjoyed her very surreal comedy in the same way I loved The Mighty Boosh. Sometimes I laughed at the silliness, sometimes the awkwardness and sometimes in sheer bewilderment. It’s not the sort of show I could recommend to everyone, but I really enjoyed it. Andrea, Edinburgh

The Jinx Part 2

Now/HBO
The Jinx Part 2 was a fascinating ending to the life and times of multiple-murderer Robert Durst. The show starts where Part 1 left off, with the killer recording live that he “killed them all, of course”. Part 2 exposes the enablers of the multimillionaire, eager to do his bidding out of greed and real fear of the man. It also follows the plan of the tenacious DA, set to take down the murderer and how he executes this plan flawlessly in court. It’s all so satisfying and surprising. Suzanne Schulte, 77, San Diego, California, USA

Shōgun

Disney+

Hands down my favourite TV series in 2024. Everything is well done. The actors, especially Hiroyuki Sanada as Toranaga. The script, dialogue, costumes, production design, sound and music, are all brilliant. We could have bingewatched, but watched an episode every few days to savour it. I had withdrawal symptoms on finishing the last episode. Karen Martin, Los Angeles, California, USA

Baby Reindeer

Netflix
At first I thought Baby Reindeer was a comedy – a weirdly nervy one. But it was Gadd, with his brutally honest, absolutely infuriating portrayal of himself, that really got me. As he made stupid decision after stupid decision, I would yell at the TV or cover my face with my hand, mumbling “you idiot!”. I watched the whole series one Friday evening. I immediately rang my brother-in law and my best friend and told them they had to watch it. Baby Reindeer was disturbing and hard to have sympathy or root for the main characters, but that didn’t prevent us caring what happened to them. Alison Lennon, Dundalk, Ireland