Sean Combs: The Reckoning
When and where: December 2, Netflix.
The story: Before diving into what the series is and how many episodes it has, one thing matters first — its producer is rapper 50 Cent. Now we can begin.
Sean Combs, the rapper known as Puff Daddy (or P. Diddy), was charged last July with two counts of soliciting prostitution and cleared of more serious charges of extortion and sex trafficking. He is expected to be released from prison in May 2028. Fifty Cent, whose real name is Curtis Jackson and who feuded with Combs for years, now serves as producer of the four-part documentary series that follows him.
According to Netflix’s official synopsis, the series is “a staggering examination of the media mogul, music legend, and convicted offender, with an insatiable drive for stardom and a knack for spotting talent… along the way, and as detailed by his former associates, childhood friends, employees, something darker began to color his ambitions.”
The Abandons
When and where: December 4, Netflix.
The story: Big picture — Gillian Anderson (Sex Education) and Lena Headey (Game of Thrones) ride horses, wear period clothing and sport wide-brimmed hats. Small picture — they play two widows from different families fighting over land and power in the 19th-century American West.
Headey stars as Fiona, a cattle rancher who leads a band of outcasts and orphans. Anderson plays Constance, a wealthy woman determined to protect the fortune she inherited from her late husband, even if it means taking Fiona’s land.
Created by Sons of Anarchy creator Kurt Sutter, the series explores themes of the weak versus the powerful, underdogs and, of course, a touch of impossible American romance (sadly not between Anderson and Headey).
Who’s in it: Alongside Headey and Anderson, Lukas Till (MacGyver), Michael Greyeyes (Woman Walks Ahead), Nick Robinson (Love, Simon) and others.
Spartacus: House of Ashur
When and where: December 5, yes.
The story: How often do you think about the Roman Empire? Well, now that Spartacus is back, it might be a lot more. Twelve years after going off the air, the series returns with a spinoff built around one question: What if Ashur (Nick Tarabay) didn’t die?
'Spartacus: House of Ashur' - Trailer
(Courtesy of yes)
What to expect? The usual mix for a drama of this kind — gladiator battles, blood, violence and sex. Steven S. DeKnight, creator of the original series, is also behind the new version. He said the long break was necessary after the shock of the death of the show’s original star, Andy Whitfield, who died in 2011.
Who’s in it: Graham McTavish (Outlander), Ivana Baquero (Pan’s Labyrinth), Claudia Black (Stargate, Pitch Black) and more.
Emily in Paris, Season 5
When and where: December 18, Netflix.
The story: Emily has had her fill of Paris and is now off to charm — or irritate — the unsuspecting citizens of Italy with her handsome Italian boyfriend, Marcello. Not to worry, Gabriel isn’t going anywhere and viewers will still see plenty of him this season.
The new season raises plenty of questions: Why was Emily chosen to run the company’s Rome branch? Why can’t Gabriel simply move on and focus on running his restaurant? And why don’t these things happen when I travel abroad for a week?
Who’s in it: Returning cast members include Lily Collins, Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, Ashley Park and Lucas Bravo. Minnie Driver (Good Will Hunting) joins the cast this season.
Amadeus
When and where: December 23, Cellcom TV.
The story: Although it hasn’t premiered yet, the series is already stirring plenty of backlash — and here’s why. You might ask: How much controversy can a miniseries about composers Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Will Sharpe of The White Lotus) and Antonio Salieri (Paul Bettany of WandaVision) cause? The answer: a lot.
'Amadeus' - Trailer
(Courtesy of Cellcom TV)
The series is based on the 1979 play Amadeus, making this the second adaptation of the work, following Milos Forman’s 1984 film Amadeus. Bingo — that’s the source of the anger from film enthusiasts, many of whom consider the film one of the greatest ever made.
Reactions to the trailer have been mostly negative: “If you want to renew Amadeus, do it on stage. Don’t touch the film,” and “Well, this is a great way to remind people the original is a timeless masterpiece and they should just watch that.”
Who’s in it: In addition to Sharpe and Bettany, the cast includes Gabrielle Creevy (Three Women), Jonathan Aris (The Night Manager), Rory Kinnear (The Diplomat) and others.
Stranger Things, Season 5 — Parts 2 and 3
When and where: December 26 and 31, Netflix.
The story: The first part of the fifth season dropped only last Thursday, so we’ll spare you spoilers. In general, this season takes place a little over a year after the end of Season 4, in the fall of 1987. The military has arrived in Hawkins, the villain Vecna has vanished and the group is determined to find him and stop him from destroying the world.
Who’s in it: Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Sadie Sink, Joe Keery, Maya Hawke, Winona Ryder and David Harbour.
Noteworthy
Good news for fans of Greek mythology: Season two of Percy Jackson and the Olympians premieres on Disney+ on December 10. And speaking of second seasons, there’s more good news for comedy lovers and gamers — Rowan Atkinson’s Man vs. Baby premieres on Netflix on December 11, continuing the first season that followed Atkinson battling a bee. The hit series Fallout also returns for a second season, streaming on Amazon Prime starting December 17.
Among international series, the Norwegian drama Nepobaby, about a young woman who discovers she is the secret daughter of a shipping tycoon and included in his will, premieres December 11 on yes and Partner TV+. The German series A Better Place premieres December 30 on yes and Partner TV+ and explores a philosophical question: Can prisons be abolished?