The Abandons to Fallout: Nine of the Best TV Shows to Watch This December

From a gritty Western starring Lena Headey and Gillian Anderson to the long-awaited return of Fallout, December delivers an impressive lineup of television premieres and finales across major streaming platforms.

The Abandons (Netflix)

Created by Kurt Sutter, The Abandons unfolds in 1850s Oregon, following a group of frontier families battling for survival as power-hungry land barons threaten their way of life. Lena Headey leads as the fierce matriarch Fiona Nolan, with Gillian Anderson co-starring. Expect high-stakes drama, dark moral dilemmas, and the raw spirit of the American frontier.

Fallout (Prime Video)

The acclaimed post-apocalyptic saga Fallout returns for its second season. Set in a devastated world shaped by nuclear war, the series continues to balance dark humor and gripping survival stories. Ella Purnell and Walton Goggins reprise their roles, with new threats and moral questions pushing humanity further to the edge.

Slow Horses (Apple TV+)

Gary Oldman is back as Jackson Lamb for the fourth season of this acclaimed British spy thriller. MI5’s least-respected team faces another messy crisis involving internal betrayal and deadly politics. The show continues to blend dry wit, sharp writing, and grounded espionage realism.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians (Disney+)

This adaptation of Rick Riordan’s beloved novels returns with new adventures at Camp Half-Blood. Walker Scobell’s Percy faces mythical monsters and divine politics, continuing Disney’s faithful yet modern take on the series.

Doctor Who Holiday Special (BBC / Disney+)

Ncuti Gatwa stars as the Fifteenth Doctor in this year’s festive special, filled with cosmic wonder and emotional storytelling. Expect a spectacular blend of time-travel chaos and heartwarming themes — a modern classic in the making.

Masters of the Air (Apple TV+)

Produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, this WWII miniseries follows the American Eighth Air Force during perilous bombing missions over Nazi Germany. With Austin Butler and Callum Turner, the series explores heroism, sacrifice, and the devastating cost of war.

The Artful Dodger (Hulu)

A witty continuation of Dickens' Oliver Twist, this series centers on Jack Dawkins — the once-notorious pickpocket now reinvented as a surgeon in colonial Australia. It fuses crime, humor, and historical drama in inventive ways.

Bridgerton (Netflix)

The third season of this Regency-era phenomenon continues with lavish fashion, forbidden romance, and sharp social intrigue. This time, Penelope Featherington takes center stage, bringing new emotional depth to the beloved period drama.

True Detective: Night Country (HBO)

Jodie Foster stars in this chilling Alaskan-set season of HBO’s anthology. When an entire research crew vanishes into the icy wilderness, the ensuing investigation exposes deep secrets and eerie folklore beneath the polar night.

“Winter brings a diverse mix of new beginnings and final farewells — a golden month for television.”

Author’s Summary:
This December’s television highlights combine prestige dramas, returning hits, and richly imagined worlds — from Western frontier battles to post-apocalyptic survival and icy mysteries.

BBC — 2025-11-25