It’s that time of year when new TV shows take a bit of a breather, but fear not: December still packs a punch with some pretty wild offerings. The closing act of 2024 isn’t overloaded with premieres, but there’s more than enough to make couch-dwelling appealing—including a new live-action Star Wars series, Keira Knightley leading a bloody Christmas thriller, Squid Game’s return, and a rom-com about cursed ex-lovers (no, really). Plus, Dexter is back in his youthful origins, and James Gunn’s animated DC adventures kick off. Here’s what you need to mark on your December calendar.
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew (Disney+, December 3)
Disney+ takes us back to a galaxy far, far away with Skeleton Crew, a live-action coming-of-age story set in the same timeline as The Mandalorian. This one focuses on four teenagers who get lost in the depths of space and need to find their way home. Directed by Jon Watts of Spider-Man fame and co-created with Christopher Ford, the show has a cast that includes Jude Law, Kerry Condon, and Jaleel White. Expect some nostalgic Star Wars vibes with a bit of youthful energy.
Black Doves (Netflix, December 5)
Keira Knightley, Sarah Lancashire, and Ben Whishaw in a Christmas-set British thriller? Count us in. Joe Barton (Giri/Haji) is behind Black Doves, which follows the messy and probably very violent consequences of the holiday season. Netflix must be pretty pleased—they renewed it for a second season back in August, meaning we’re in for a lot of chilly suspense.
Creature Commandos (Max, December 5)
James Gunn’s first DC show since becoming head of DC Studios is Creature Commandos, and yes, it’s exactly as wild as it sounds. An animated series, it follows a black-ops team brought together by Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) in the aftermath of Peacemaker. There’s a truly eclectic voice cast here: David Harbour, Zoë Chao, Frank Grillo, and even Steve Agee reprising his role as Economos. For anyone who loved Peacemaker, this should be right up your alley—wacky, action-packed, and full of Gunn’s signature irreverence.
Jentry Chau Vs. The World (Netflix, December 5)
Ali Wong voices the titular Jentry Chau in this animated show about a Chinese-American teen trying to keep her supernatural powers under wraps. That is, until a demon king decides to ruin her plans for a normal life. Jentry Chau Vs. The World takes the best of supernatural anime, throws in some Texas flavor, and rounds it out with a cast that includes Lucy Liu and Bowen Yang. Perfect for anyone who likes their teen angst mixed with a demon-slaying twist.
The Sticky (Prime Video, December 6)
Character Actress Margo Martindale stars in The Sticky, a black comedy inspired by the infamous Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist. The series aims for a Fargo-esque tone, with Martindale leading the way as she and her two oddball accomplices (played by Chris Diamantopoulos and Guillaume Cyr) try to pull off the ultimate sticky caper. It’s quirky crime with a Canadian twist—and frankly, who doesn’t love that?
Secret Level (Prime Video, December 10)
Tim Miller (Love, Death & Robots) brings us Secret Level, an animated anthology that throws some of gaming’s biggest franchises into a series of wild short films. Think Dungeons & Dragons, Warhammer, even Pac-Man. If you like your brand synergy with a side of creativity and weirdness, this could be a treat—even if it’s a little bit of a “Hey, remember this brand?” play.
No Good Deed (Netflix, December 12)
Fans of Dead To Me have a reason to celebrate: Liz Feldman and Linda Cardellini are back together for No Good Deed. This dark comedy pits three families against one another in a bid to buy a Los Angeles villa—owned by a very suspicious Ray Romano and Lisa Kudrow. With eight episodes to enjoy and a cast including Abbi Jacobson and Denis Leary, it’s a twisted little take on real estate competition that’s sure to be a good time.
Dexter: Original Sin (Paramount+, December 13)
We can’t seem to escape the allure of prequels, and this time, it’s Dexter’s turn. Dexter: Original Sin takes us back to 1991, with Patrick Gibson as a young Dexter Morgan just discovering his talent for murder—all while interning in the forensics unit. Christian Slater is on board as Dexter’s father and teacher in the ways of serial killing, while Sarah Michelle Gellar and Patrick Dempsey also join the fun. Dexter’s got some competition in the killer dad department.
Laid (Peacock, December 19)
Nahnatchka Khan (Always Be My Maybe) brings a twisted rom-com to Peacock in Laid. Stephanie Hsu plays Ruby, a woman who discovers that all her exes are dying in bizarre ways. To solve the mystery and stop the body count from rising, she has to revisit her past—and maybe find true love in the process. Zosia Mamet plays Ruby’s best friend, and the cast also features Olivia Holt and Michael Angarano. It’s absurd, it’s darkly funny, and it’s the perfect holiday antidote to all that feel-good Hallmark fare.
Squid Game Season 2 (Netflix, December 26)
The game is far from over. Squid Game returns for its highly anticipated second season, picking up the story with new, even more elaborate and deadly games. The stakes are higher, and the players are more desperate as the twisted contest continues to unfold. With creator Hwang Dong-hyuk still at the helm, fans can expect the same nail-biting tension and sharp social commentary that made season one a global phenomenon. Expect some familiar faces and plenty of new ones, each hoping to survive the horrors of this dystopian nightmare.
Also
- December 4: Pop Culture Jeopardy (Prime Video)
- December 11: Dream Productions (Disney+)
- December 19: Virgin River season six (Netflix)
- December 22: What If…? season three (Disney+)
- December 25: Doctor Who Christmas Special (Disney+)
- December 26: The Road Trip (Paramount+)
