At a time when streaming platforms and television channels compete for the viewer's attention with often formatted productions, Arte remains a haven for lovers of singular stories, of works that are both daring and intimate. The channel, which has always stood out by broadcasting eclectic and demanding programming, highlights series that go well beyond the usual codes. No more big special effects machines or predictable plots; place for stories that touch, that disturb, that question.
Each program is an open door to a different universe, where the depth of the characters and the richness of the scenarios remind us that television can still be an art, a place of free expression and reflection. In 2024, Arte continues to honor its mission of promoting stories which, while anchored in reality, do not hesitate to push the boundaries of storytelling. These series are not there to please everyone, but for those looking for unforgettable television experiences, they become essentials.
Here is a selection of the eight best series on Arte released in 2024, stories so different from each other that they are capable of captivating you, moving you and, sometimes, shaking you.
1. Samuel
Samuel is a ten-year-old child navigating the troubled waters of emerging adolescence. His emotions jostle in a whirlwind, and his heart still hesitates between the carefreeness of childhood and the first turbulence of adolescence. But Samuel has a problem. He is faced with a major misunderstanding: Basile, a classmate, told Julie, the big Julie, that Samuel loved her. Which is a pure and simple lie. But how do you disentangle the truth from what seems like a simple joke? At Samuel's age, emotions are pure but inarticulate, and everything becomes more complicated as the gazes of others meet. A small animated series which undoubtedly has its place in this ranking of the best Arte series released in 2024.
Why we love it ? Because this series, created by Émilie Tronche, perfectly captures the inner universe of a child who lives each moment in an intense and abundant way. The animation is gentle, poetic, and the story, although centered on a misunderstanding, resonates deeply with anyone who has experienced this period of uncertainty and self-discovery. Samuel, in his simplicity, embodies these universal moments where we are both actor and spectator of our own life.
2. DJ Mehdi : Made in France
In the top Arte series of 2024, we also find the story of DJ Mehdi, who died tragically thirteen years ago, remains one of the essential figures of the French music scene. A self-taught artist, he knew how to combine the worlds of rap and electro with rare audacity, creating a revolutionary fusion that marked his era. In this documentary series, Thibaut de Longeville, his childhood friend, reveals the story of this visionary man, often underestimated by critics in his time, but who today has a well-deserved place in the pantheon of greats of music.
