In the era of streaming, there are always new series to check out for viewers of all tastes, and the best TV shows to stream this week highlight that fact. With Netflix, Hulu, Max, and the other big-name streamers constantly putting out content, there are new shows and new episodes of hit series becoming available each week. With so much out there, it can be hard to keep track of everything that should be on the watchlist, but there are some notable titles worth pointing out.
This week marks the end of one year and the beginning of a new year with some entertaining, thrilling, and timely shows to mark the transition from 2024 to 2025. The most anticipated title of the week is also one of the most anticipated returns of 2024 with the second season of Squid Game finally here. However, if the intensity of that Netflix series is too much for some, they can also enjoy the big laughs of a new comedy special from Nate Bargatze as well as a few Christmas specials for those not quite ready to bid farewell to the holiday season.
10
The Year: 2024 – Special Premiere
Available December 27 On Hulu
As the year ends and a new year begins, it is the perfect time to reflect on the previous 12 months. The new special The Year: 2024 looks back on the year through its biggest stories in all corners of popular culture. While the presidential election which saw Donald Trump returning to the Oval Office is certainly one of the biggest stories in the eyes of many, there are so many more exciting, hilarious, heartbreaking, and pivotal moments to look back on.
The special is hosted by Robin Roberts and features various personalities from the world of music, sports, science, and more offering their own commentary on some of these headline-grabbing stories. What is fun about the special is that some of these stories may have been forgotten and suddenly jump back into the public’s memory as a big moment from the year.
9
The 47th Annual Kennedy Center Honors – Special Premiere
Available December 22 On Paramount+
There are a number of specials available this week on streaming that are worth watching, including this annual event. The Kennedy Center Honors are the yearly celebration that highlights the lifetime achievements of some of the most influential names in American performing arts. With tributes and performances, these honors take a look at truly impactful careers from beloved individuals who have reached staggering levels of success and acclaim in their fields.
While the live program has already aired, fans can watch the ceremony in its entirety on Paramount+.
2024 brings in an exciting new group of talents to be recognized with multi-talented artist Queen Latifah hosting the ceremony. This year legendary director Francis Ford Coppola has been honored alongside music legends like Bonnie Raitt, Arturo Sandoval, and The Grateful Dead, as well as the hugely influential performance venue, The Apollo. While the live program has already aired, fans can watch the ceremony in its entirety on Paramount+.
8
Maestro In Blue – Season 3
Available December 28 On Netflix
Maestro in Blue is a 2022 television series that follows the complex life of a renowned conductor navigating the intricate dynamics within a prestigious orchestra. Balancing his professional responsibilities and personal life, he faces various challenges that test his expertise and resolve. The series delves into the high-stakes world of classical music, providing an in-depth look at the pressures and triumphs of leading a distinguished musical ensemble.
- Release Date
-
March 17, 2023
- Cast
-
Christopher Papakaliatis
, Klelia Andriolatou
, Maria Kavoyianni
, Fanis Mouratidis
, Marisha Triantafyllidou
, Giannis Tsortekis
, Orestis Chalkias
, Yorgos Benos - Seasons
-
1
Maestro in Blue is an example of an international series on streaming that can reach a larger audience by reaching Netflix users around the world. The Greek crime-romance series is set during the pandemic and follows a musician who travels to a remote and beautiful island where he hopes to establish a music festival. After quickly finding romance on the island, he is soon entrenched in the old feuds and issues of the island.
The series is a wonderful slow-burn of tension and murder. It initially seems like a sweeping romance set on a picturesque island, only to gradually transform into a dark and violent thriller that begins to emphasize the dangers of the isolated life on the island. The show has gained a strong following with its previous two seasons and all episodes of the third season of Maestro in Blue dropped on Netflix on December 28.
7
Queen Woo – New Miniseries
Available December 23 On Paramount+
While many eyes will be on the return of Squid Game this week, that is not the only South Korean series streaming this week worth checking out. Queen Woo is a historical action series that focuses on Queen Woo, the legendary figure of Korean history who became the first woman to be named queen twice. The series takes place in 197 A.D. in the direct aftermath of the death of Woo’s first husband, King Gogukcheon, and the fierce battle that broke out to quickly establish a new kind within 24 hours.
It is an exciting premise to build a miniseries on, made even more thrilling because of the character of Queen Woo, played by Jeon Jong-seo, who finds herself at the center of the grapple for power and an instrumental figure in the future of the country.
6
Protection – New Series
Available December 29 On BritBox
Though not as big of a streaming platform as some of the other leaders in the industry, the movies and shows on BritBox have helped to bring British content to a wider audience. However, the platform’s main draw for subscribers seems to be the crime series so the arrival of a new entry into the genre will be met with a lot of excitement from fans. Protection is a crime series that explores the Witness Protection program as it operates in the UK.
It is a unique area to focus on for a crime series and the premise makes for a gripping thriller.
The series follows DI Liz Nyles, an officer with the program who finds her own actions at the center of a breach that puts several witnesses’ lives at risk. It is a unique area to focus on for a crime series and the premise makes for a gripping thriller. The miniseries consists of six episodes which began airing on BritBox on December 29.
5
Gavin And Stacey: The Finale – Special Premiere
Available December 25 On BritBox
Gavin & Stacey is a British romantic sitcom that explores the long-distance relationship between Gavin, from Essex, and Stacey, from Wales, highlighting the dynamics of their families and friends with humor and charm.
- Release Date
-
May 13, 2007
- Seasons
-
3
Christmas Day offered a special treat for fans of this beloved British sitcom as they had one last chance to bid farewell to Gavin and Stacey. Gavin and Stacey was a series that told the story of the relationship between the titular characters, a man from England and a woman from Wales as they meet, fall in love, bring their families together, and eventually get married. The series was also about all of the people in their lives, including Gavin’s best friend, Smithy, played by James Corden.
The series ended in 2010, but there was already a Christmas special in 2018 that brought the ensemble back together. However, though 2024 brings them back again for a new special, this will apparently be the last time. Gavin and Stacey: The Finale wraps up the sitcom’s story in a very fitting way, filled with big laughs, poignant moments about these relationships, and quality time with these beloved characters.
4
Call The Midwife – Christmas Special Premiere
Available December 25 On Britbox
This period drama, created by Heidi Thomas, chronicles the lives of a group of midwives in East London from the late 1950s to the late 1960s. The series explores the social and medical challenges of the era, focusing on the personal and professional experiences of the midwives and their community.
- Release Date
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January 15, 2012
- Cast
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Jenny Agutter
, Linda Bassett
, Judy Parfitt
, Helen George
, Laura Main
, Leonie Elliot
, Stephen McGann
, Vanessa Redgrave
, Cliff Parisi - Seasons
-
15
Like Gavin and Stacey, there is another beloved British show that offers some holiday fun for viewers. Call the Midwife is a long-running period drama that follows the heroic efforts of the nurses and nuns working at the Nonnatus House in London during the 1950s. Call the Midwife has been on for 13 seasons and has delivered several Christmas specials over the years, with 2024 marking the latest of its festive traditions.
The latest Call the Midwife Christmas special was filled with all the elements that have made it such a beloved show for so long as well as some holiday charm to continue the cheer of the season. The special mixes in several tense elements, such as an influenza outbreak and a convict on the loose, with the Christmas fun like the annual concert.
3
Shrinking – Season 2 Finale
Available December 25 On AppleTV+
In this series, a therapist grappling with personal tragedy begins to employ a radically candid approach with his clients and in his personal life. As he navigates his roles as a father, friend, and professional, his newfound method leads to unexpected consequences and self-discovery.
- Release Date
-
January 26, 2023
- Cast
-
Jason Segel
, Luke Tennie
, Michael Urie
, Lukita Maxwell
, Harrison Ford
, Jessica Williams
, Christa Miller
, Ted McGinley
, Heidi Gardner
, Devin Kawaoka
, Lilan Bowden
, Kimberly Condict
, Lily Rabe
, Tilky Jones
, Rachel Stubington
, Wendie Malick
, Sawyer Jones
, Mike C. Nelson
, Matt Knudsen
, Kenajuan Bentley
, Adam Foster Ballard - Seasons
-
2
While there were not a lot of new shows premiering this week, some notable series did reach the end of their seasons over the holiday break. Shrinking has become one of the most talked-about shows of the fall television season, with season 2 only strengthening its popularity and acclaim. Jason Segel stars in the series as Jimmy, a grieving therapist who takes a different approach to helping his clients.
The Shrinking season 2 finale has already been called a highlight of the series, capping off the latest chapter in the story with the perfect mix of humor and heart. The finale episode was particularly a good showcase for co-creator Brett Goldstein, who has been a key guest star this season. However, the highlight of the finale was Harrison Ford, who delivered a terrific performance as Paul.
2
Your Friend, Nate Bargatze – Comedy Special
Available December 24 On Netflix
One of the most popular comedians right now has a new stand-up special available on streaming this week. Nate Bargatze has become a huge name in the industry thanks to his Saturday Night Live appearances, his recent Christmas special, and his acclaimed stand-up specials. While Bargatze’s previous specials already rank among the best stand-up specials on Netflix, he returns to the platform with a brand-new show with Your Friend, Nate Bargatze.
The prolific comedian once again finds great success in leaning into his “nice guy” persona. He offers his laidback, down-to-earth perspectives on subjects ranging from early memories to the challenges of long-term relationships while also mixing in a good bit of self-deprecating humor. It makes for some wonderful big laughs to help ring in the new year while also marking one of the best comedy specials of the year.
1
Squid Game – Season 2
Available December 26 On Netflix
In Squid Game, a mysterious invitation to join a competition is sent to people at risk who are in dire need of money. Four hundred fifty-six participants from all walks of life are locked into a secret location where they play games to win 45.6 billion won. Games are selected from traditional Korean children’s games, such as Red Light and Green Light, but the consequence of losing is death. To survive, competitors must choose their alliances carefully – but the further they go in the competition, the more likely betrayal will rear its ugly head.
- Release Date
-
September 17, 2021
- Cast
-
Wi Ha-joon
, Anupam Tripathi
, Oh Yeong-su
, Heo Sung-tae
, Park Hae-soo
, Jung Ho-yeon
, Lee Jung-jae
, Kim Joo-ryoung - Seasons
-
2
One of the most anticipated television returns of 2024 is finally here to mark the end of the year. Squid Game season 1 made for a television phenomenon when it was released in 2021. It took three years, but the acclaimed and gripping Netflix series has finally returned with its much anticipated second season. The series centers on an underground organization that puts on games in which desperate contestants participate in a winner-take-all set of games for an enormous cash prize. While the games are all twisted takes on schoolyard games, they have deadly outcomes.
While it is hard for the second season to recreate the freshness of the first season, the return of Squid Game does satisfy all those fans waiting for more. It dives deeper into this dark world and its mythology while still understanding what it is fans want to see from the series.