Man, I almost forgot how many great shows got delayed because of the strikes last year. Feels like we’ve been waiting forever for some of these. But guess what? 2024’s shaping up to be insane for TV comebacks. Seriously, my watchlist’s overflowing already.
Whether you’re into gritty dramas like The Last of Us or need your fantasy fix with House of the Dragon, this year’s got you covered. I’ve been tracking release dates like crazy – way too much time spent refreshing entertainment news sites if I’m honest.
Pro tip: Bookmark this page. I’ll keep updating it as networks confirm more dates.
Why 2024’s Lineup Feels Different
Remember waiting two years for new Stranger Things seasons? Yeah, that sucked. But this time it’s different. After the Hollywood strikes pushed everything back, we’re getting a flood of returning tv shows 2024 all at once. It’s like Christmas in every quarter.
Here’s what I’ve noticed digging through the announcements:
- Production delays actually improved some shows (heard they rewrote entire arcs during the break)
- Some veteran series are getting final seasons (buckle up for emotional endings)
- Streaming services are dropping whole seasons at once again (take notes, Netflix)
Confession: I started rewatching Slow Horses last week because I couldn’t remember where season 2 ended. Gary Oldman’s character might be my favorite grump on TV right now.
Can’t-Miss Returning Series Coming Back This Year
Alright, let’s cut to the chase. These are the heavy hitters with confirmed dates or solid windows:
Major Network & Cable Returns
| Show | Network | Season | Expected Release | What We Know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Last of Us | HBO | Season 2 | Late 2024 | Filming now. New characters include Jesse and Dina. |
| House of the Dragon | HBO | Season 2 | June 2024 | Dance of Dragons war kicks off. New dragons confirmed. |
| Slow Horses | Apple TV+ | Season 4 | Fall 2024 | Gary Oldman returns as Jackson Lamb. Based on book 4. |
| The Bear | FX/Hulu | Season 3 | June 2024 | Filming wrapped. Carmy’s restaurant faces new challenges. |
| Yellowstone | Paramount | Season 5 Part 2 | November 2024 | Final episodes. Kevin Costner's exit confirmed. |
That Yellowstone delay still annoys me. Who splits a final season over two years? At least they’re wrapping it up properly.
Streaming Exclusives You Might’ve Missed
These gems got buried under algorithm chaos but deserve attention:
- Severance (Apple TV+) - Season 2 finally arrives Q4 2024. That cliffhanger’s been killing me.
- The Boys (Prime Video) - Season 4 drops June 13, 2024. Homelander vs. everyone.
- Invincible (Prime Video) - Part 2 of season 2 just started, season 3 expected late 2024.
- Loki (Disney+) - Season 2 wrapped, but no season 3 announcement yet. Fingers crossed.
Heads up: Netflix hasn’t confirmed Stranger Things 5 for 2024. Stop sharing those fake October release memes!
Shows Returning After Extended Breaks
Some of these felt like they’d never come back. Here’s what took so long:
| Show | Last Aired | Gap | 2024 Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avatar: The Last Airbender | 2008 (original) | 16 years | Live-action remake (Feb 2024) |
| Agatha: Darkhold Diaries | WandaVision (2021) | 3 years | Fall 2024 release |
| Daredevil: Born Again | 2018 (Netflix) | 6 years | March 2025 (delayed from 2024) |
I’ll be real – I’m skeptical about the Avatar remake. The animated series is perfection. Why mess with it? But my kid’s excited so we’ll give it a shot.
Potential Disappointments Coming Back This Year
Not every returning tv show 2024 makes me cheer. Here’s why:
Shows That Might’ve Lost Their Spark
- The Morning Show (Apple TV+) - Season 3 felt messy. Hope season 4 (2024) refocuses.
- You (Netflix) - Season 5 confirmed for 2024 but... where else can Joe go? Dude’s out of cities.
- The Umbrella Academy (Netflix) - Final season coming 2024. Please stick the landing better than season 3 did.
Anyone else feel like some shows overstay their welcome? I’d rather see a great three-season run than five mediocre ones.
Where to Watch Everything Without Going Broke
Streaming fatigue is real. Here’s how I manage subscriptions:
| Service | Monthly Cost | Key 2024 Returns | My Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix | $6.99-$22.99 | Cobra Kai S6, The Witcher S4 | Subscribe during premiere months |
| Max | $9.99-$19.99 | House of Dragon S2, Last of Us S2 | Keep year-round (HBO still rules) |
| Hulu | $7.99-$17.99 | The Bear S3, Only Murders S4 | Bundle with Disney+ |
| Apple TV+ | $9.99 | Slow Horses S4, Severance S2 | Best value for quality |
Honestly, I rotate services monthly. No way I’m paying for all simultaneously. When House of the Dragon finishes, I’ll pause Max until Last of Us returns.
Money saver: Check your phone/cable plan – lots include free streaming subscriptions!
Managing Your 2024 Watchlist Without Losing Sleep
Between work and life, who can track all these dates? Here’s what works for me:
- Trakt.tv - Free show tracking with calendar exports
- TV Time app - Get notifications 24hrs before episodes air
- Old-school solution - Google Calendar reminders (set mine for The Bear!)
My friend uses a spreadsheet but that’s overkill. Ain’t nobody got time for that.
Hot Takes on 2024’s TV Comebacks
Okay, let’s get controversial:
I think The Last of Us Season 2 will disappoint gamers. Cutting game content to fit TV format always backfires. Remember what happened to Halo?
Prediction: House of the Dragon will be the water-cooler show of summer 2024. Those dragons alone...
Shows that should return but aren’t: Mindhunter. Still bitter about that cancellation.
Your Top Questions About Returning TV Shows 2024 (Answered)
Which shows are confirmed to have their final seasons in 2024?
Yellowstone (Part 2), Cobra Kai, The Umbrella Academy, and Better Call Saul spin-off (rumored). Prepare tissues.
Will there be any surprise renewals for canceled shows?
Probably not. Networks tightened budgets. Except maybe Warrior on Netflix – that’s got buzz.
How can I watch if multiple services have shows I like?
Rotate subscriptions monthly. Bingewatch then cancel. Saves me about $300/year.
Any returning shows worth rewatching from scratch?
Severance absolutely requires a rewatch. So many hidden details. Also Slow Horses – Gary Oldman’s insults are better the second time.
Are streaming services dropping weekly episodes or full seasons?
Mostly weekly now (annoying, I know). Exceptions: Netflix still drops some full seasons. Amazon does weekly for big shows like The Boys.
Warning: Avoid sketchy streaming sites. Not worth the malware risk when official trials exist.
Final Reality Check
Look, we’ve all been burned before. Remember Westworld’s later seasons? Oof. My advice:
- Don’t trust early hype (cough... Rings of Power... cough)
- Wait for 3-4 episodes before committing time
- Check viewer reviews over critic scores
That said, 2024’s slate genuinely excites me. Feels like networks finally learned quality > quantity. Probably just wishful thinking though.
What returning tv shows 2024 are you actually excited about? Hit me up on Twitter if you wanna debate House of the Dragon theories – I’ve got some wild ones.
Bottom line: Clear your schedule starting June. It’s gonna be chaotic.
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