With the Christmas break just around the corner, it's time to get cosy on the sofa and settle down for some must-watch TV. Unsure of what to binge on over the festive period? Don't worry, we've got you covered with a stellar mix of shows and movies that you can stream and watch over and over again.
Are you looking for a license to thrill?
There's an abundance of thrillers and juicy spy dramas to sink your teeth into over the coming weeks.
Treason - Streaming on Netflix from 26 December
This highly-anticipated six-part spy drama sees Ciarán Hinds reuniting with his KIN co-star Charlie Cox. It tells the story of Adam Lawrence (Cox), an MI6 operative whose past catches up with him when Russian spy Kara (Olga Kurylenko) reappears in his life.
Hinds will play Adam Lawrence's boss and mentor, Sir Martin Angelis, in the series from Oscar-nominated Bridge of Spies screenwriter Matt Charman.
Treason, described as 'The Bodyguard meets John le Carré', also stars Oona Chaplin.
Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan - Streaming on Prime Video from 21 December
John Krasinski returns as Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan in an all-new season. More than three years after releasing Jack Ryan season 2, Jack Ryan season 3 premieres on Wednesday, 21 December, exclusively on Prime Video worldwide. All eight episodes of the spy drama are available to stream right away.
In the third season of the action-thriller series, Jack Ryan is working as a CIA case officer in Rome when he is tipped off that the Sokol Project, a secret plan to restore the Soviet Empire, is being resurrected more than 50 years after it was thought to have been shut down.
Jack embarks on a mission to confirm the intelligence, but things quickly go awry and he is wrongly implicated in a larger conspiracy. Accused of treason, with a Red Notice out for his arrest, Jack is forced to run from his own government if he has any hope of uncovering the rogue faction before it's too late.
Crisscrossing Europe as he is hunted by former allies and new enemies alike, Jack races against the clock to stop the cascade of destabilizing conflicts from leading to global catastrophe.
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery - Streaming on Netflix from 23 December
Writer-director Rian Johnson's sequel to 2019's hit mystery comedy, Knives Out, switches up the setting, tone and characters surrounding an all-new whodunit.
The cast includes a number of well-known faces including Daniel Craig, Edward Norton, Kate Hudson, Janelle Monae, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr, Jessica Henwick, Dave Bautista and Madelyn Cline.
Norton plays a billionaire who gathers his pals in Greece for a murder mystery game of his own. As he predicts his own murder to his companions, he tasks them with solving the mystery of the killer before it's too late.
Are you having a laugh?
If you want to completely switch off and enjoy a well-deserved giggle, there's a bevvy of laugh-out-loud shows that are guaranteed to keep you entertained on the box this Christmas.
Callan Kicks the Year 2022 - Catch up on RTÉ Player from 29 December
2022 brought horrors that no one should ever experience; from giant queues at Dublin Airport to seeing the inside of Leo Varadkar's fridge. Callan Kicks the Year returns to give events in Ireland and abroad their annual seeing to, in this comedy news review on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player this Christmas.
Michael Flatley's Blackbird, Ed Sheeran’s Irish tour and the rise of Joanne McNally all feature in this essential look back on 2022’s most bizarre and OMG moments. Not to be missed!
The Banshees of Inisherin - Streaming on Disney+ from 21 December
Colin Farrell's latest outing, alongside Brendan Gleeson, takes the pitch-black humour of their much-loved In Bruges to even darker, stranger places. The movie reunites Farrell and Gleeson with writer-director Martin McDonagh following their 2008 gangster comedy.
Set on a remote Irish island during the Civil War, it is a macabre tale of an ageing man (Gleeson) who one day decides he cannot waste any more time with his younger friend (Farrell).
This Oscar-tipped movie is well worth adding to your movie screenings over the festive period.
The Big C - Streaming on RTÉ Player from 16 December
Acclaimed comedy-drama about a US suburban mother who gets diagnosed with cancer. With only a year to live Cathy starts living life the way she always wanted to. Starring Laura Linney.
Never Mind the Xmas Buzzcocks - Streaming on NOW from 15 December
God bless you merry gentlemen may nothing you dismay, the boys and girls from Buzzcocks are back to save the day - or so the blurb says.
Greg Davies, Noel Fielding, Daisy May Cooper and Jamali Maddix present a special Christmas edition of the mayhem filled musical panel show, featuring a trio of very special guests - nose wrinkler and Steps singer Claire Richards, dapper comedian Tom Allen, and the unstoppable force of nature that is Pete Doherty.
Christmas Carole - Streaming on NOW from 19 December
Suranne Jones stars in this seasonal new Sky Original. Carole Mackay (Jones) is an unashamedly outspoken and wealthy entrepreneur. Her online business selling all things festive has earned her a fortune, as well as the nickname 'Christmas Carole'.
But her success hasn't made her a better human being. In fact, it’s made her worse. The truth is that Carole is a monumentally mean person. Positively Scrooge-like. And, just like Ebeneezer, she doesn’t love Christmas at all. But this Christmas Eve, Carole’s past, present and future are about to collide. Will some rather familiar Christmas spirits help her discover the true spirit of Christmas?
Are you seri-ous?
You can't beat a good series and there are so many binge-worthy ones to choose from over the festive period. From the return of Emily in Paris to the next outing from The Witcher, you'll be glued to the TV - pass the Celebrations.
The Witcher Blood Origin - Streaming on Netflix from 25 December
Starring Irish actor Laurence O'Fuarain, The Witcher: Blood Origin is a four-part series set in an Elven world 1,200 years before the original. It will depict the creation of the first Witcher and explore the ancient Elven civilization before its demise.
Sophia Brown and O’Fuarain play Éile and Fjall, two warriors estranged from their opposing clans. Michelle Yeoh takes the role of Scían, a mentor in the ways of the sword, Mirren Mack is Princess Merwyn, Lenny Henry plays Chief Sage Balor and Minnie Driver plays the part of a Seanchaí.
Emily in Paris Season 3 - Streaming on Netflix from 21 December
One year after moving from Chicago to Paris for her dream job, Emily finds herself at a crucial crossroads in every aspect of her life.
Faced with two very different paths, Emily will have to decide exactly where her loyalties lie — at work and in her romantic life — and what those decisions mean for her future in France, all while continuing to immerse herself in the adventures and surprising twists and turns that life in Paris provides.
Are you a good sport?
Need a post-World cup sports fix? Take a break from all of the festive fun and discover why you are obsessed with footie. It will make for some interesting conversation around the dinner table this Christmas.
Glitch - Streaming on RTÉ Player now
David Meyler and Ruesha Littlejohn explore the esports revolution and how it collides with 'real analogue sport’. In this series, they discover how professional teams are getting involved and why fans are obsessed with watching esports stars do their stuff.
Are you ready to fall in love?
With the possibility of a white Christmas, there is nothing better than snuggling up on the couch and watching a good rom-com - and there are loads to choose from.
Something from Tiffany's - Streaming on Prime Video right now
Adapted from Irish author Melissa Hill's novel of the same name, the film is a romantic Christmas comedy which tells the story of a woman who accidentally receives an engagement ring meant for someone else.
It was produced by Reece Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine company for Amazon and stars Zoey Deutch, Ray Nicholson, Kendrick Sampson and Shay Mitchell.
The Little Drummer Girl - Streaming on RTÉ Player now
Based on John le Carré's novel, The Little Drummer Girl is a passionate love story and a deeply immersive thriller exploring the blurred lines between love and hate.
Starring Florence Pugh, Alexander Skarsgård and Michael Shannon, and directed by Park Chan-wook - it's sure to warm the cockles of one's heart.
Our Only Chance - Streaming on Disney+ now
This 5-part series tells the story of Candela, a young woman who works at a logistics company while pursuing her dream of becoming a singer. Her life changes when Fede Ariza, an important record company executive, hears her sing in a bar. That same night, Candela meets up with Diego, an old classmate from her high school who is trying to make a living through boxing, while balancing teaching children and participating in illegal fights.
They have not seen each other for years, but everything changes in their lives when they cross paths one night. In their story, they will overcome obstacles and disappointment, and experience hope, love, and friendship.
For more TV news, click here and for TV listings, click here
Laura Delaney
