Keira Knightley’s long-awaited return in a high-profile project; Sabrina Carpenter and her friends getting everyone ready for Christmas; Angelina Jolie bringing the legendary Maria Callas to life; Tyler Perry telling the story of a World War II Army unit made up only of women and people of color; the NFL trying to establish a new Christmas tradition with streaming; and the return of one of the biggest TV series of the 21st century are just some of the new features arriving on Netflix in December.
After a few years of silence, Keira Knightley returns as the protagonist in the spy drama Black Doves of Netflix, which will debut on December 5th. In the series, Knightley plays Helen Webb, a devoted wife and mother, as well as a professional spy. After passing her politician husband’s secrets to the Black Doves, a mysterious group, Webb’s secret identity is threatened when a lover (Andrew Koji) is killed and she seeks to avenge his death. The series, created by Joe Barton (Giri/Haji), also features Sarah Lancashire and Ben Whishaw. Netflix believes it has a hit on its hands with Black Doves and has already renewed the series for a second season.
On December 6th Netflix debuts with A Nonsense Christmas with Sabrina Carpentera Christmas special featuring singer Sabrina Carpenter, who won the hearts of Americans with her hits “Espresso” and “Please Please Please.” The musical extravaganza will feature an A-list guest cast, including Chappell Roan, Tyla, Shania Twain, Kali Uchis, Quinta Brunson, Cara Delevingne, Kyle Mooney, Nico Hiraga, Megan Stalter, Sean Astin, Owen Thiele and Jillian Bell.
The sumptuous biopic arrives on December 11th Maria by Pablo Larraín, one of Netflix’s strongest titles this awards season. The film chronicles the last week of the life of opera singer Maria Callas, played by Angelina Jolie, who received an eight-minute standing ovation at her presentation at the Venice Film Festival, moving her to tears. Maria completes Larraín’s trilogy of biographies on famous women, which he also includes Jackie (2016) e Spencer (2021).
It will debut on December 20th The Six Triple EightTyler Perry’s fourth film for Netflix. Based on true events, the film tells the story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only Black Women’s Army battalion sent overseas during World War II. The cast includes Kerry Washington, Ebony Obsidian, Dean Norris, Sam Waterston and Oprah Winfrey.
On Christmas Day, Netflix will once again attempt to broadcast live sports with two NFL games as part of the programming NFL on Christmas. In the first match, the Baltimore Ravens will face the Houston Texans, while the second will see the Kansas City Chiefs on the field against the Pittsburgh Steelers. As is fitting, Netflix brought Beyoncé in for a halftime performance at the Ravens-Texans game, which will take place in the superstar’s hometown of Houston. The platform is under pressure to offer a smooth viewing experience, after problems during the Jake Paul – Mike Tyson fight and the live reunion special of Love Is Blind in 2023.
And finally, the long-awaited return of Squid Game with season two on December 26. The first season of Hwang Dong-hyuk’s survival-horror series landed on Netflix in September 2021, quickly becoming a global phenomenon and the platform’s most-watched series. It was nominated for 14 Emmys, including Outstanding Drama Series, becoming the first non-English-language work to receive a nomination in that category. The second season of Squid Game will see the return of Gi-hun, aka Player 456, who will try to put an end to the mysterious game of survival once and for all.
Among the films added to Netflix in December are: Daddy Day Care, The Happytime Murders, Little, Midway, Project X, We’re the Millers, Zero Dark Thirty, Compliance e Mad Max: Fury Road.
