Television doesn’t sleep. The sheer amount of content—almost 500 scripted programs aired in the year 2019!—can prove overwhelming for even the most dedicated TV buffs. Television Academy voters make Emmy selections in August, and SAG-AFTRA members vote on SAG Awards in January, but their job requires tuning in all year long. Backstage is breaking down, month by month, the buzzy shows and performances that merit awards attention in the ever-growing landscape of the small screen. Mark your calendar and become a couch potato along with us!
This December may seem like a quiet month for TV, but even though the pandemic has slowed production down, this holiday season still offers up plenty of series to tune into as the weather gets cold.
On CBS, the ever-popular “Blue Bloods” returns alongside its rebooted suite of detective shows “MacGyver” and “Magnum P.I.” Over on the CBS streaming wing, a new adaptation of Stephen King’s apocalyptic novel, “The Stand,” features a long list of award winners in its cast. Meanwhile, Shonda Rhimes debuts her first Netflix program, “Bridgerton,” an ensemble drama billed as the new “Downton Abbey” that follows a wealthy family in early 19th century London. Netflix also has fans buzzing with “Selena: The Series” starring Christian Serratos as the titular Tejano musician. Also this month, HBO has tapped Zendaya to reprise her Emmy-winning role as troubled teen Rue Bennett in two special holiday episodes of “Euphoria.” Check out your full list of December 2020 premieres below.
Acorn TV
New to North America, the miniseries “A Suitable Boy” debuts Dec. 7. From the 1993 novel by Vikram Seth, the BBC-produced television adaptation, directed by Mira Nair of “Monsoon Wedding,” takes place in 1950s India and stars Tabu, Ishaan Khatter, and more.
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon will continue airing Steve McQueen’s anthology “Small Axe” that began Nov. 15; the series of films focuses on the West Indian community in 1960s and ’70s London. The last two installments, “Red, White and Blue” starring John Boyega and “Alex Wheatle” starring Sheyi Cole, debut on the 4th and 11th, respectively. That same night, another Amazon original, “The Wilds,” premieres, a show following a group of teenage girls stranded on a desert island after a devastating plane crash. And on Dec. 16 comes the premiere of the sixth and final season of the science-fiction drama “The Expanse,” which was originally axed by the Syfy channel back in 2018, only to receive three more seasons on Amazon.
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The Eye Network launches four series this month. First up on Dec. 2 is “SEAL Team”; the two-hour premiere was delayed a week due to election coverage. CBS follows that up with three season premieres; beloved cop drama “Blue Bloods,” and the popular reboots of “MacGyver” and “Magnum P.I.,” will all start their new seasons on the 4th.
CBS All Access
A star-studded miniseries adaptation of Stephen King’s “The Stand” will feature a new ending from the king of horror. Available on CBS All Access on the 17th, this is the second time the book has been adapted for TV; the first time was back in 1994. Along with the new ending, this adaptation features a long list of all stars including Alexander Skarsgård, Whoopi Goldberg, James Marsden, Amber Heard, Heather Graham, Greg Kinnear, Odessa Young, and Nat Wolff.
Epix
The Jack Bannon-starring “Pennyworth,” adapted from DC comics, will return for its second season on the 13th, but will only air its first four episodes due to pandemic-related delays. The remaining six episodes arrive in 2021.
HBO
Though fans will have to wait for Season 2 of the popular HBO teen series “Euphoria,” they will get a treat as Zendaya reprises her Emmy Award-winning role as Rue on the 6th in two special holiday episodes.
Hulu
A new take on the classic teen detective book series “The Hardy Boys” launches on the 4th, featuring Rohan Campbell and Alexander Elliot as the two mystery-solving brothers. On Dec. 26, the ninth season of Canadian sitcom “Letterkenny” will start on Hulu, which has acquired exclusive American distribution rights.
NBC
NBC has tapped Canadian TV to fill holes in its fall schedule due to COVID-related filming restrictions. On the 7th, the new Canadian series “Nurses” will join the classic network.
Netflix
In a much anticipated series depicting the late Tejano icon, “Selena: The Series” drops its first six episodes drop on the 4th, with the rest of the season to arrive at a later date. Another new series on the 14th, drama “Tiny Pretty Things,” is adapted from the Sona Charaipotra and Dhonielle Clayton book about ballet students at a competitive academy in Chicago. “How to Ruin Christmas: The Wedding” debuts on the 16th, a South African dramedy which runs three episodes and follows Busisiwe Lurayi as Tumi, a woman returning home for her sister’s wedding.
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And on Christmas Day, Rhimes will release her first Netflix series, “Bridgerton,” adapted from the popular Julia Quinn novel series set in 1810s London about a powerful family navigating the city’s wealthy and aristocratic circles. The drama stars Polly Walker, Rege-Jean Page, Ruby Barker, Jonathan Bailey, Claudia Jessie, Ruth Gemmell, Luke Thompson, Luke Newton, and the legendary Julie Andrews.
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