Summary
2024 is rife with amazingthrillerTV shows for everyone to enjoy. Like any TV and film category, the thriller genre has a back catalog of incredible titles that shock and surprise audiences, and in 2024, several more are due to join. Some ofthe best thriller movies of all time, for example, are so successful because they use plot twists and unexpected reveals to create thought-provoking responses.
Thebest thriller miniseries ever madeare also known for their soaring popularity on streaming serviceslike Netflix and Amazon Prime Video for the same reasons. In 2024, thriller TV shows are more anticipated than ever, especially as the genre’s increasing popularity rapidly grows. Many incredible titles are due for release throughout 2024, and all have the potential to become one of the best thriller TV shows of the year.
15 Best Action Thriller TV Shows, Ranked
Action thriller TV shows are an exciting and popular television genre with several standouts that are truly worth the investment.
Manhuntis ahistorical drama TV showset during the fallout of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination and an adaptation of James L. Swanson’s bookManhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer. Manhuntis the first solo project of Monica Beletsky, whose past credits includeFargo, Friday Night Lights,and Peabody Award winnerThe Leftovers.Manhuntprimarily follows Edwin Stanton (Tobias Menzies), the former secretary of war and close confidant of Abraham Lincoln (Hamish Linklater),in the search for the President’s killer. The show brilliantly dramatizes an already sensational story, which combines historically accurate events with a deeply tense narrative.
The show makes up for it with its endearing cast performances and compelling plot.
The conspiracy thriller jumps between Stanton trying to balance the political impact Lincoln’s death has and the pursuit of John Wilkes Booth (Anthony Boyle).The theme of democracy’s importance is prominent throughout all seven engrossing episodesof the TV miniseries, shedding light on one of the biggest but relatively unknown events in American history. However,not every element ofManhuntis historically accurate, but the show makes up for it with its endearing cast performances and compelling plot.
Theambitious sci-fi TV showDark Matter,created by Blake Crouch, is an adaptation of his novel of the same name.Dark Matterfollows physicist Jason Dessen (Joel Edgerton), who is thrust into alternate versions of his life after being kidnapped by an enigmatic version of himself. The show explores the concept of multiverses, raising fascinating philosophical questions about identity and the importance of choosing the right path in life.Jason’s journey across the various realities as he reflects on his choices over the years is nothing short of stellar,and Edgerton is repeatedly praised for his performance.
Dark Matteris an enjoyable watch for even those who aren’t excited by science fiction, especially as Jason’s storyline is so easy to invest in.The entirety ofDark Matter’s cast offers notably powerful performances, too,especially Jennifer Connelly as Jason’s wife, Daniela. Their on-screen chemistry is immediately apparent, and in moments whenDark Matter’s storyline starts to slow down, the pair keep things interesting. Between its gripping plot and amazing character development,reviews ofDark Matteragree that the show is taking the TV industry by storm.
2024 will air the highly anticipated release ofTokyo Viceseason 2. The second installment of the thrilling crime drama TV show immediately delves into the aftermath ofTokyo Viceseason 1’s shocking endingthrough the eyes of journalist Jake Adelstein (Ansel Elgort) and detective Hiroto Katagiri (Ken Watanabe).Ken Watanabe’s portrayal of Katagiri continues to be one of the best performances in the show,and the depth he brings to the character as he navigates the perilous world of the Yakuza is particularly notable.Tokyo Vice’s character-driven plot focuses on Jake and Hiroto’s murder investigations in the titular city.
However, the contrast between the two characters is also fascinating. American Jake and Japanese Hiroto come from two very different worlds, but they work together in the name of justice.Tokyo Vicereceives significant praise for its detailed depiction of Japanese cultureand for creating an immersive world to sink into. The tone ofTokyo Viceis fast and exciting, but the showperfectly balances its pacing with a mix of action-packed sequences and profound, emotional moments.Tokyo Viceis such a popular title it has the potential to become one ofthe most popular HBO TV shows ever.
Constellation, one of Apple TV’s most recent releases, beautifully melds the sci-fi and psychological thriller genres in a story about the deep, dark dangers of space.Astronaut Jo Ericsson’s (Noomi Rapace) catastrophic journey aboard the International Space Station and her return to Earth haunt her,especially after the sudden death of a colleague leaves her fighting for her life in an escape vessel with little oxygen.Reviews ofConstellationoffer praise to Rapace for her performance as Jo, whose character development grows increasingly erratic as her self-doubt and paranoia set in.
Constellation’s nerve-wracking atmosphere adds an eerie tone to an already unsettling premise, as Jo’s mental state rapidly declines and she tries to hold onto her limited sanity.
However,Constellation’s subplot is just as endearing as the main storyline.The mystery of Henry Caldera’s (Jonathan Banks) past is even more enthralling than Jo’s story,although these scenes tend to veer into horror movie territory at points.Constellation’s nerve-wracking atmosphere adds an eerie tone to an already unsettling premise, as Jo’s mental state rapidly declines and she tries to hold onto her limited sanity. Unfortunately,Constellationhas now been canceled.Constellation’s season 1 endinghas somewhat of a cliffhanger, but if anything, this makes the final note of it more impactful, andConstellationstill works as a standalone show.
Hulu’sUnder the Bridgeuses powerful storytelling techniques to push a captivating narrative aboutthe death of 14-year-old Reena Virk(Vritika Gupta).Under the Bridgeis based on a true story and recounts the gruesome demise of Reena in 1997’s Canada. The adaptation of Rebecca Godfrey’s book of the same name alternates between multiple timelines, all of which delve into the series of events leading up to and after the horrific tragedy.The use of different timelines adds to the emotional impact ofUnder the Bridge,which highlights the harsh realities of bullying and the volatile relationships between teenagers.
Under the Bridgemakes Reena’s story entertaining and easy to invest in while also ensuring that her death is at the forefront of audiences’ minds. The show includes plenty of dramatic twists and turns throughout, all of which make the murder mystery even more complex. All of theUnder the Bridgecastcontribute compelling performances, butVritika Gupta is notably impressive, and her portrayal captures her character’s vulnerable and resilient sides.AlthoughUnder the Bridgemainly focuses on Reena, it also explores themes of gender, race, and privilege, all of which play into her backstory.
The Netflix adaptation of Liu Cixin’s book,3 Body Problem,uses elements of crime procedural TV shows and hard science fiction to tell a tale about humanity’s first contact with aliens during the Cold War. Like the original novel,3 Body Problemexplores the ethical dilemmas of communicating with extraterrestrials and the fallout of doing so.The show’s plot is led by Ye Wenjie (Rosalind Chao), an astrophysicist who gets caught up with the authorities after witnessing her father’s brutal killing. However, this triggers a series of events that result in the San-Ti species’ trek to Earth.
Throughout the season, the lives of the Oxford Five scientists interweave more and more as humanity struggles to survive.3 Body Problem’s pacing is a little slow in the first half of the season, primarily because of the focus on character development,but it eventually picks up and truly embraces its scientific and dramatic factors. As of May 2024, it has been confirmed that3 Body Problemseason 2is on the way, with season 3 due to follow.
While there are plenty ofadaptations of Patricia Highsmith’s bookThe Talented Mr. Ripley, Netflix’s 2024Ripleyis easily the best.Ripleyfollows con artist Tom Ripley (Andrew Scott) and his mission to retrieve Dickie Greenleaf (Johnny Flynn) from Italy. But as the two men bond, Tom’s increasing obsession with Dickie results in plenty of lies, deception, and even murder.Ripley’s bold cinematography makes it stand out, with every episode shot with a black-and-white filter.The breathtaking noir styling emphasizes the underlying tension betweenRipley’s characters,improving upon the show’s spine-chilling atmosphere.
Another member of Ripley’s cast who receives notable applause is Dakota Fanning as Marge Sherwood.
The show also offers a darker, more psychologically complex take on Highsmith’s novel, distinguishing itself from other adaptations.Andrew Scott’s take on the titular character is fantastic,as is his on-screen chemistry with Johnny Flynn. Another member ofRipley’s castwho receives notable applause is Dakota Fanning as Marge Sherwood. Marge provides a moral compass amidst the devastation Tom causes, which makes his most deceitful moments even more impactful. Between its artistic direction, sinister storyline, and cast performances,Ripleyis a stand-out in the thriller genre.
True Detectiveseason 4, subtitledNight Country,is an acclaimed anthology TV show that is popular for its atmospheric storytelling.Night Countryis set in the fictional town of Ennis, Alaska, and follows Chief Liz Danvers’ (Jodie Foster) investigation into the disappearance of eight scientists from a research station.This chilling mystery in an Alaskan backdrop makes the overall tone ofNight Countryeven more haunting,and althoughNight Countrystill feels like an installment ofTrue Detective,it also offers a unique angle that allows it to work by itself.
Foster’s portrayal of Danvers captures the character’s better qualities, most importantly, her determination and intensity.Danvers tries to be hopeful, but she doesn’t allow her optimism to distract her from the harsh realities of life,which makes her quite cynical about getting justice for theNight Countryresearchers. However, it is a perfect quality for aTrue Detectivecharacter to have. Her backstory is a refreshing subplot to delve into as well, and Danvers’ character development throughout the season paints an interesting but ever-changing picture of the detective.
