My Top Choices for December TV

There are a LOT of holiday movies airing on the networks of Hallmark, Lifetime, ION, OWN and UPtv, but I whittled that long list down to the top 7 (not all of which are necessarily holiday-themed) as well as a couple new dramas that are set to debut in December, a few season finales and the premiere of a drama that I will have to hunt down since I don’t have access to that network on my cable.

COMING TO AN END (FOR NOW)

The season finales of the following shows will air during the month:

December 2 – Coroner on The CW at 9 PM

NOTE: The CW has acquired the third season of the Canadian series, by the way.

December 15 – Transplant at 10:01 PM on NBC

December 17 – A Million Little Things (the mid-season finale) will air on ABC at 10 PM

WELCOME TO THE FOLD

The following new dramas will debut in December:

The Hardy Boys on Hulu on December 4. I remember watching the 1970’s version of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, starring Shaun Cassidy and Parker Stevenson as the Hardy brothers so it will be interesting to see a new modern-day take on the sleuthing siblings.

Based on the classic story, brothers Frank and Joe, who, after a family tragedy strikes, are forced to move from the big city to their parent’s hometown of Bridgeport for the summer. Staying with their Aunt Trudy, Frank and Joe’s quiet summer quickly comes to a halt when they discover their dad, detective Fenton Hardy (James Tupper) has taken on a secret investigation. Realizing that their Dad may be onto something the boys take it upon themselves to start an investigation of their own, and suddenly everyone in town is a suspect.

Nurses, the Canadian drama, will make its US debut on December 7 on NBC at 10:01 PM [I’ve actually been enjoying the Canadian medical drama Transplant so I am curious if this new show will be of the same caliber.]

The series follows five young nurses working on the frontlines of a busy downtown hospital, dedicating their lives to helping others while struggling to help themselves. Among the cast members are Tiera Skovbye (Riverdale) and Jordan Johnson-Hinds (Blindspot).

Tiny Pretty Things on Netflix on December 14

This series, to me, looks like a combination of Pretty Little Liars and a much darker Center Stage. Here is the synopsis: When tragedy strikes at Chicago’s most prestigious ballet school, where every dancer is both friend and foe who compete fiercely for coveted roles, it threatens to unravel close friendships and to expose a constellation of secrets that could bring down a world-renowned institution. The most familiar face among the cast is Lauren Holly.

Bridgerton on Christmas Day on Netflix

This Shonda Rhimes drama, based on the best-selling novels by Julia Quinn, unfolds in the sexy, lavish and competitive world of Regency London high society. The narrator is voiced by Julie Andrews and the cast includes Polly Walker as well as a lot of fresh faces and newcomers.

HOPING TO SEE YOU

EPIX is one of the few networks that I don’t have on my cable so I am hopeful that I can watch season two of Pennyworth, the look at a young Alfred Pennyworth – the man who goes on to be the butler for Bruce Wayne (aka Batma). Pennyworth premieres on December 13 at 9 PM.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

There are over 30 holiday-themed movies set to debut in December; and while I will be watching more than just the three movies listed below, I picked the following for their overall storyline and the cast members.

Christmas on the Range on December 6 at 7 PM on UPtv.

Kendall Riley (Erin Cahill) has only one holiday wish: to keep the family ranch solvent. Her rival’s charming son (Nicolas Gonzalez) offers help, and maybe more, but can he be trusted? The film also stars A Martinez and Lindsay Wagner.

Cross Country Christmas on December 12 at 8 PM on the Hallmark Channel.

Former classmates Lina (Rachael Leigh Cook) and Max (Greyston Holt) are traveling home for the holidays, until a storm hits and they have to work together to make it home in time, no matter the mode of transportation.

Spotlight on Christmas on December 21 at 8 PM on Lifetime.

Dumped two weeks before Christmas, actress Olivia O’Hara (Tori Anderson) secretly returns to her tiny hometown to hide out, eat cookies and avoid the press. What she doesn’t expect is to be faced with the family she left behind, meeting a charming new guy, Casey Rawlins (Victor Zinck Jr.), and a noisy reporter following her every move. Completely overwhelmed, Olivia contemplates running away from her life once again but with a new found confidence and freedom, Olivia bravely steps up to take the starring role in her own life, realizing that home is where the heart is and that she deserves to be loved for exactly who she really is.

LET’S ALL GO TO THE MOVIES

While I’m not a fan of Ryan Murphy – I’ll admit that I did enjoy the first season or two of Glee, but nothing else from Murphy’s creative world – so learning about his upcoming movie, The Prom, had me a bit unsure if I would like it. Once I saw the trailer [which you can see below], it was clear how silly and entertaining the movie will be because of the cast.

The Prom will debut on Netflix on December 11.

On December 18, the late actor Chadwick Boseman will be seen in his final film: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, which will debut on Netflix.

Viola Davis will star as the legendary “Mother of the Blues” Ma Rainey with Boseman playing ambitious trumpeter Levee. The movie chronicles the tensions and temperatures during the course of an afternoon recording session in 1920s Chicago.

Lastly, on Christmas Day, the movie Sylvie’s Love will debut on Amazon. Tessa Thompson stars as Sylvie, who has a summer romance with a saxophonist (Nnamdi Asomugha) who takes a summer job at her father’s record store in Harlem. When they reconnect years later, they discover that their feelings for each other have not faded with the years. The impressive ensemble cast includes Aja Naomi King, Ryan Michelle Bathe, Eva Longoria, John Magaro, Lance Reddick, Alano Miller, Erica Gimpel and Wendi McLendon-Covey.

The full December TV calendar, featuring all the movies and dramas airing during the month went live a few days ago. Take a look at what the month has to offer, and please share with us what you are looking forward to watching during the last month of 2020.