If you’re already feeling all resting-Grinch-face about the steady stream of Christmas TV content that seems to be hitting screens earlier and earlier each year, fear not. There’s heaps more on the box besides Love Actually and Elf this month. From a gritty spy drama starring British silver screen heavyweight Keira Knightly, to bloodthirsty resurrections from serial killer Dexter (prequel!) and hit Korean psychological thriller Squid Game (second series!), there’s plenty to leave you feeling quite unsettled around the Christmas tree.

Add to this a stand-up comedy special from Jamie Foxx, a festive (sorry) singalong from pop-icon Sabrina Carpenter, and a much-anticipated polo docuseries from Prince Harry and Megan Markle, and there’s plenty to keep you distracted from the holiday season, no matter how much mulled wine you’ve consumed. Heres are the best new TV shows to stream in December 2024.

Jack In Time for Christmas, Prime Video

A break from the usual shmultz, this festive feature sees Jack Whitehall stranded in America with just four days to make it back to England for Christmas. As time is running out, he begins on an amazing and somewhat unbelievable journey across the Atlantic, by any means, and mode of transport, necessary. Colliding with a slew of famous faces from Michael Bublé, Dave Bautista and Rebel Wilson to Jimmy Fallon, Daisy May Cooper and Tom Davies, ‘yule’ be mad to miss it.

Release date: 3 December 2024

Black Doves, Netflix

Keira Knightley, Ben Whishaw and Andrew Koji headline this new British action series about a secret agent thrown deep undercover. For 10 years, Knightley’s character Helen has been forwarding her husband’s political secrets to her shady employers but when her lover Jason is killed, an old friend turns up to protect her. And while, yes, it is set in London during the festive period, it’s far more big guns and high-kicks than warm and fuzzy matching jumper viewing – and there are certainly no love-declaring cue cards.

Release date: 5 December 2024

A Nonsense Christmas with Sabrina Carpenter, Netflix

Making all your jingle bells rock, pop icon Sabrina Carpenter’s debut variety music special will ‘sleigh’ all the holiday high notes. Playing songs from her holiday EP, Fruitcake, and other chart-topping festive covers, it will also feature guest artists, comedians and “unexpected” duets. “The holidays have always been so special to me,” Carpenter told Netflix. “I am excited to bring my take to a classic holiday variety show — infusing my love of music and comedy to make something that is uniquely me.” Prancer like nobody’s watching…

Release date: 6 December 2024

Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was…, Netflix

A new stand-up comedy special, Foxx fans can expect a range of raucous and candid moments from the man who made his name doing impersonations on the television sketch-comedy show In Living Color. Touching on a range of subjects, including the medical emergency that left him hospitalised and fighting for his life last year, the Academy Award-winning actor, singer and comedian says: “If I can stay funny, then I can stay alive.”

Release date: 10 December 2024

Polo, Netflix

A Netflix original produced by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, this new sports docuseries will delve into the lives of professional polo players. Shot primarily at the US Open Polo Championship in Wellington, Florida, at the USPA National Polo Center, it stars Adolfo Cambiaso, Poroto Cambiaso and Louis Devaleix, following their ups and downs both on and off the field as they compete at the highest level. Think Drive to Survive – but with less horsepower and more actual horses.

Release date: 10 December 2024

No Good Deed, Netflix

Starring Denis Leary, Linda Cardellini, Luke Wilson and Ray Romano, with appearances from the likes of Lisa Kudrow, this new dark comedy-drama series from the creator of Dead to Me certainly has its cast down. Following the story of three totally different families contending to buy the same palatial, Spanish-style villa, which each hopes will solve all their problems, it’s time everyone wakes up to some home truths.

Release date: 12 December 2024

Dexter: Original Sin, Paramount+

Billed as the origin story of everyone’s favourite serial killer (the original Dexter series ran from 2006-2013), this much-anticipated prequel stars Patrick Gibson, Molly Brown and Christian Slater, with the OG Michael C. Hall narrating. It follows the young Dexter Morgan as he begins an internship as a forensic technician for the Miami Metro Police Department – alongside, of course, hunting down and killing other serial killers in line with his father Harry’s ‘code’.

Release date: 13 December 2024

Virgin River Season 6, Netflix

Now in its sixth series, episode one of Virgin River kicks off a few months after the fifth’s festive-themed finale, and it’s all about Jack and Mel’s wedding. Covering all bases, viewers can expect a range of nuptial-related scenes from the bachelor and bachelorette parties to the rehearsal dinner. Starring Alexandra Breckenridge and Martin Henderson, this feel-good show will be sure to put you in a cosy mood.

Release date: 19 December 2024

Doctor Who: Joy To The World, Disney+ and BBC iPlayer

An annual tradition without being a classic festive film, this new Christmas special will star Nicola Coughlan, along with the new Doctor, Ncuti Gatwa. As always, little has been leaked about the big day premiere, which is the 50th episode to be written by Steven Moffat. As the eleventh doctor once said, “We’re all stories, in the end. Just make it a good one, eh?”

Release date: 25 December 2024

Squid Game Season 2, Netflix

As ominous and disturbing as the first season, which saw hundreds of people accept a sinister invitation to compete in a range of deadly children's games to win a cash prize, the Squid Game stakes are even higher the second time around. Far from your usual Boxing Day viewing, this isn’t one to snuggle up and watch with the kids. Game, set, shoot.

Release date: 26 December 2024

Read more: The best Christmas films and TV shows to stream in 2023