Summary
- The best romance TV shows in 2024 display a variety of love stories for all audiences to enjoy.
- Series such as Mary & George and My Lady Jane put their spin on tales of historical figures.
- The success of Netflix’s Bridgerton continues with its 2024 release of season 3.
2024 has already introduced some captivating love stories that have provided the best the romance genre has to offer. From book adaptation series like One Day to the juicy historical retellings in TV shows like My Lady Jane, the halfway point of 2024 has brought about a wide offering of on-screen romance. A few series have dominated pop culture conversations, like the previously mentioned One Day, which is a fresh adaptation of David Nicholls’ book, and the third season of the beloved regency romance series Bridgerton, which sees progress in Colin and Penelope’s relationship.
Other series are recent releases that are sure to grab the attention of romance fans, including My Lady Jane, which rewrites the famous story of Lady Jane Grey. In addition to the classic romance in Maxton Hall: The World Between Us, which explores the relationship between two opposing individuals. Each of these series features a compatible pair of actors that help bring the various swoon-worthy love stories to the screen and solidify 2024 as a great year for romance so far.
6 Mary & George
Premiered on Starz on April 5, 2024.
Nicholas Galitzine has proven to be a strong romantic lead in the past few years, starring in career-boosting films such as Red, White & Royal Blue and The Idea of You. The latter film was released this year, but before then, Galitzine starred in the Starz miniseries Mary & George opposite Julianne Moore. The historical drama is based on The King’s Assassin, a book by Benjamin Woolley. Both the book and the series detail the historical affair between James VI and I (Tony Curran) and the 1st Duke of Buckingham, George Villiers.
The titular mother and son duo are played by Moore and Galitzine and it’s these two roles that play best for their skills as actors. In Mary & George, the two work together to move themselves to a higher social status. This is accomplished by George Villiers becoming romantically involved with King James I —a plan orchestrated by his mother.
Galitzine is compelling as a romantic lead and George’s character arc throughout Mary & George‘s seven episodes, as he becomes increasingly comfortable with his mother’s plan, is captivating to watch. Moore easily takes on the dramatic role and deftly plays the calculated Countess of Buckingham. It’s difficult to root for Mary & George‘s lead characters, but that doesn’t hinder the viewing experience. The various scenes of passion and the scheming nature of the Villiers make Mary & George a bold romantic series and an engrossing watch.
5 Maxton Hall: The World Between Us
Premiered on Amazon Prime Video on May 9, 2024.
Amazon’s Maxton Hall: The World Between Us is a standard series within the romance genre, but that’s what makes it a hit. In a few ways, Maxton Hall differs from Save Me, a book by Mona Kasten that the German series is based on. The changes help improve the romance and connection between Maxton Hall‘s lead characters, Ruby (Harriet Herbig-Matten) and James (Damian Hardung). Maxton Hall doesn’t break the romance mold, but it skillfully pulls off the best parts of the well-known genre.
In only six episodes, the growth of Maxton Hall‘s characters is fast but keeps audiences on their toes. Maxton Hall pulls out the best of the most-used romance tropes, such as two opposing individuals forced to work with one another and an unlikely bond taking shape as a result. Ruby and James begin the series as polar opposites, not only in their upbringings and home life but in their goals as well.
As Maxton Hall continues, the two open up to one another and a palpable connection forms. Maxton Hall’s successful premiere is the biggest launch of any non-American original series on Amazon. Following this success and high viewership, Maxton Hall season 2 was quickly ordered and the questions fans had at the end of season 1 will be answered sooner than anticipated.
4 My Lady Jane
Premiered on Amazon Prime Video on June 27, 2024.
Many series based on historical events take a few creative liberties to better structure the events to fit a TV show. Prime Video’s My Lady Jane continues this pattern, following similar shows like Dickinson and The Great, which intertwine elements of comedy in the lives of famous historical figures. However, My Lady Jane goes a few steps further by changing the established world of the period drama.
My Lady Jane is based on a novel by Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand, and Jodi Meadows which reimagines the life of Lady Jane Grey. Part of this reimagining is the inclusion of fantasy and magic in the form of shapeshifting humans who are at odds with ordinary citizens. These two opposing parties represent the real-life conflict between the Protestants and Catholics.
The conflict between the two opposing groups of people is the central focus of My Lady Jane, but there are still plenty of romantic scenes between the lead characters, Lady Jane Grey (Emily Bader) and Lord Guildford Dudley (Edward Bluemel). The chemistry between Bader and Bluemel is easily felt and lends itself well to the core conflict of Verities and Ethians in the show. My Lady Jane covers an adequate amount of content within season 1, but it’s only the first half of the book. This leaves the door open for a potential season 2 that would continue the English adventures.
Related
What Are Ethians & Verities In My Lady Jane? What Their Conflict Is Based On
The central conflict within Amazon’s My Lady Jane pits Ethians against Verities, which ties into the story’s fantastic and magical world.
3 Queen Of Tears
Premiered on tvN on March 9, 2024.
With a finale that became the highest-rated on the tvN network, Queen of Tears is one of the biggest K-dramas of 2024. While there are many reasons why Queen of Tears has been successful, one of the biggest reasons is the series’ leading characters, played by Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won. The actors are familiar faces within Korean television and have an undeniable chemistry as a struggling couple who are attempting to patch up their marriage.
Whereas most romance K-dramas follow the journey of a couple falling in love, the unraveling of the relationship in Queen of Tears sets it apart from other series. The on-screen relationship between Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won feels lived in and believable. The chemistry between the two adapts to the series’ varying tones. One minute, audiences are laughing at a sweet interaction between the couple, and the next minute they’re sobbing at their screens during one of Queen of Tears’ saddest scenes.
Both instances require no effort to buy into the display of emotions thanks to the talent of Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won. In addition to the effortless blend of humor and drama, Queen of Tears has an impressive cast that has starred in various K-dramas before. With such a strong core couple and storyline, it can be risky to spend time with side characters. However, every character in Queen of Tears is written and performed with substance, making their time on the screen appreciated.
2 Bridgerton
The second part of season 3 premiered on Netflix on June 13, 2024.
The third season of Bridgerton was released in two parts this year and focused on the long-awaited relationship between Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin (Luke Newton). Though Coughlan and Newton have been present since the beginning of the series, Bridgerton season 3 is where they truly got to shine, both as individual actors and in their irresistible on-screen chemistry. Bridgerton is best known for its dramatic portrayal of high society and love — all of which are on full display in season 3.
There are some fascinating subplots within the season, including Benedict’s (Luke Thompson) sexual journey, but the foundation of season 3 is the growth of Penelope and Colin’s romance. Their intimate scenes with one another add to the collection of Bridgerton‘s steamiest scenes. It is through these scenes that fans of the couple celebrate their romance, but moreover, Penelope’s personal growth.
The confidence the former Featherington gains throughout the season, particularly through her interactions with Colin, is well done and wonderful to see. Additionally, Penelope and Eloise’s friendship is tested in season 3, mainly due to the former’s secret identity as Lady Whistledown. This secret is kept for the majority of the series and adds complications to Penelope’s most important relationships, making for some delightful drama.
1 One Day
Premiered on Netflix on February 8, 2024.
Despite being the second adaptation of David Nicholls’ 2009 novel under the same name, One Day still manages to be just as heartbreaking as if the story was being told for the first time. The Netflix series follows the decades-long relationship between Emma Morley (Ambika Mod) and Dexter Mayhew (Leo Woodall), who keep in contact with one another on the same day every year.
At their yearly reunions, audiences are left feeling frustrated and devastated as the two are never in the right place when the other needs them the most. Whether it’s during their periods of flirting, friendship, or romance, the chemistry between Mod and Woodall is great. Their connection is believable both in the form of sexual tension and in the understanding of one another that comes with their characters’ years-long friendship. For as much romance as there is in One Day, there is also an ever-present coming-of-age theme.
Both Dex and Emma struggle to find themselves in One Day‘s 14 episodes, each going through hardships in their other relationships and career endeavors. It is because of all they’ve been through that One Day‘s ending stings a little harder. For audiences familiar with One Day‘s 2011 film adaptation or the original book, the ending was expected, but that doesn’t make it hurt any less. Critically speaking, One Day earned much acclaim with a 91% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes and was a success for Netflix.