Pacific Heat, streaming from December 2nd
Australia’s answer to Archer, this animated sitcom is set on the Gold Coat, a sun-drenched paradise where sun and surf go hand in hand with soaring crime rates. But a team of undercover special police officers, the eponymous Pacific Heat, tackle everything from petty crooks to international drug cartels. Unafraid to operate outside the law, they’ve an arrest rate second to none.
Fuller House, Season Two streaming from December 9th
While prestige drama has been Netflix’s biggest draw as it consolidates its brand as the world’s favourite channel, its sitcoms have found far less assured footing. But if the reports on ratings are true – Netflix never actually releases the data itself, leading to many speculative webposts published throughout the year – the media giant’s reboot of Full House has been one of its most successful shows ever. So it should come as no surprise that the Fullers are back for another season of schmaltz, which will either be your thing or won’t.
Captive, Streaming from December 9th
Whether this docuseries can pull off the kind of zeitgeist-grabbing move that Making a Murderer achieved last December remains to be seen, but it’s certainly an arresting concept. The eight-episode run will explore the tense world of hostage situations and negotiations around the world, with American director Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity, Mr & Mrs Smith, Edge of Tomorrow) acting as producer.
White Rabbit Project, Streaming from December 9th
After winding up its 12th season, MythBusters, the popular science entertainment programme that did as much for berets as it did for urban legends, has come to an end. But Netflix is throwing a lifeline to three of the show’s team, with Grant Imahara, Tory Belleci and Kari Bryon getting their own series. According to the official synopsis, the team will investigate topics such as “jailbreaks, superpower technology, heists, and crazy WWII weapons.”
Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency, Streaming from December 11th
Created by BBC America, this science-fiction series comes from the divisive American filmmaker Max Landis, the wunderkind son of John, who has adapted Hitchhiker’s Guide writer Douglas Adams’ beloved series of novels for the small screen. The series follows the adventures of Dirk Gently (Samuel Barnett), an eccentric ‘holistic detective’, and his reluctant sidekick Todd Brotzman, played by Elijah Wood.
Barry, Streaming from December 16th
If the thought of January’s inauguration has you reaching for solace through scripted entertainment and you’ve already worked your way through The West Wing, this feature film telling the tale of Barack Obama’s life at New York’s Columbia University in 1981 might be just what you need. Australian actor Devon Terrell – not only a great physical likeness to the US President, but also nailing his vocal timbre – takes on the lead.
Trollhunters, Streaming from December 23rd
This animated series for children will have considerable crossover appeal to adults, given that not only does it come from the mind of b-movie maestro Guillermo del Toro, but it also features the late Anton Yelchin as lead character Jim Lake Jr. The series revolves around a teen who discovers a magical amulet that leads him on an adventure to protect the trolls living below the human town of Arcadia. Kelsey Grammar, Ron Perlman, and Steven Yeun, best known as Glenn in The Walking Dead, round out the big-name cast.
