Why you should watch: The prolific acting talent of Martindale, coupled with a delightfully zany story about maple syrup heist, sounds like an utter joy. The Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist made headlines across the world in 2012 and also featured in the critically acclaimed Netflix series Dirty Money, which received a 100% Fresh ranking on Rotten Tomatoes.

Available on December 6

Why you should watch: First announced as Gamescon in 2024 and attracting much attention from critics and fans alike, gamers will delight in this assortment of stories inspired by their favourite video games. For non gamers, Secret Level features beautifully animated standalone episodes featuring the voices of Hollywood’s biggest names.

Available December 10

Why to watch: The most successful film or TV project in Kickstarter history in 2019, The Legend of Vox Machina has a legion of devoted fans. A talented cast of voice actors - and friends - are the reason for its success. They create an authenticity about the characters and story that is impossible to replicate. Now in season three on Prime Video, there are still plenty more stories to tell - after all, the YouTube campaign ran for nearly 500 hours!

Why to watch: Like its predecessor, Citadel: Diana hopes to impress by combining fast-based action drama with the excellent acting performances of its star - in this case Across the River and into the Trees star Matilda De Angelis. The one also has the benefit of being set in the beautiful snow-covered Alps, which make for a cinematic setting.

Why to watch: This riveting supernatural thriller boasts an outstanding performance by Jessica Raine, who portrays all the nuances of grief, regret and longing. Employing memories and flashbacks in ways that leave viewers as disoriented as the characters, this is a spine-tingling mix of horror and suspenseful murder mystery. Series two, described as “simultaneously a sequel and a prequel”, seems set for another disconcerting thriller.

Why to watch: Twenty years have passed since the original series, and this new version doesn't shy away from it - keeping the comedy smart without being outdated. One such welcome change of the times is Hannah Howard, the first female lead character in The Office's 13 international adaptations, who is easily as inept as any male boss.

Why to watch: A new imagining of French writer Jules Verne's 1870 novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, Nautilus sees Spooks star Shazad Latif take on the role of Captain Nemo, a part that has previously been played by legendary actors including Michael Caine and Patrick Stewart. Georgia Flood (Apples Never Fall) and Thierry Frémont (Das Boot) also star in the drama, which hopes to replicate the impressive storytelling and world-building that made Verne's novel an instant classic.

Why to watch: Based on the award-winning Like a Dragon: Yakuza video game by Sega, this new series brings together critically acclaimed director Masaharu Take and Kamen Rider actor Ryo Takeuchi in the lead role. Showcasing Tokyo and its criminal underbelly, the new television series hopes to replicate the hit formula of the Yakuza (meaning 'gangster' in Japanese) franchise, which is known for its gripping storytelling, likeable characters and inability to take itself too seriously.

Why to watch: The most-watched (and certainly most expensive with a reported seasonal budget of $100–150 million) Prime Video original ever, series two picks up after the forging of three rings of power. The Middle Earth setting is as beautiful as it's ever been, brought to life with epic cinematography and a vibrant cast of characters (a few of which are old favourites from the films). Series two adds even more star power to the mix: Rory Kinnear will play fan-fave Tom Bombadil, with Ciarán Hinds in a currently unknown recurring role.

Available now

Why to watch: Maitlis’ interview with Prince Andrew marked a turning point in history, especially for public perceptions of the Royal Family. Previously depicted in Netflix's Scoop, A Very Royal Scandal goes a step further by examining the personal lives of both the Duke and Maitlis in greater depth than ever before. Michael Sheen and Ruth Wilson shine, refreshing an already very well-established story with their thoughtful performances.

Available now

Why to watch: A chance to watch the complete collection of Clarkson, Hammond and May’s well-publicised Amazon motoring efforts, after the trio finally hung up their keys in 2024.These three absolutely love cars, but the real draw to the Grand Tour is the chemistry between them - and there’s still plenty of mileage on those epic pranks.

Available now

Why to watch: This new envisioning of the superhero focuses on the detective noir aspects of the character and its setting. This is Batman’s origin story told through a darker lens than its predecessors. It’s also got a kick-ass guest cast, with Christina Ricci as Catwoman, Jason Watkins as Alfred Pennyworth and Minnie Driver as the Penguin.

Available now

Why to watch: The original series comprises 14 volumes and more than 4.4 million words, but the television series does a great job of making the drama accessible for first timers as well as seasoned fans. Where it stands out from other fantasy shows is with its rich world-building, carefully-plotted storylines and solid acting (Rosalind Pike, as Moraine, does a lot to humanise the stoic witch). Also unlike others in the genre, The Wheel of Time isn't afraid to put female characters front and centre - a refreshing change that pays dividends with powerful acting and storytelling.

Available now

Why to watch: This award-winning satirical superhero series is unlike any other superhero drama, and possibly anything else currently on TV. It is gruesome, obscene, deeply political and often rather funny on top of all this.

Available now

Why to watch: This 16 time Emmy-nominated series boasts entertaining performances from its leads Purnell, Moten and Goggins. It paints a vivid portrait of a unique universe, complete with radiated monsters, military-esque groups and - worst of all - 'normal' humans who seek to revive the world as it was.

Available now

Why to watch: Michael Sheen is a delight and David Tennant a guilty pleasure in this brilliant fantasy drama, which merges masterful plotting, thought-provoking religious symbolism, superstar performances from its leads and the quirky humour that is Neil Gaiman's signature look. The first series follows the events of the novel by Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, while the second and upcoming third series feature brand new stories with focus on Aziraphale and Crowley's eternal relationship.

Available now

Why to watch: There's something incredibly heartwarming about this critically-acclaimed drama, which transforms a seemingly ordinary housewife into a comedy legend. The multi-award-winning Rachel Brosnahan is pitch perfect as Midge, offering vulnerability and a relatability that transcends 1960s New York. In a story that champions female success, Alex Borstein, who won consecutive Emmys for the role, plays Midge's nonsense manager Susie.

Available now

Why to watch: A hit globally, the series and its creator have won Baftas, Emmys and Golden Globes. Widely considered among the best series of all time, this black comedy is a combination of witty writing, powerful acting performances and emotional manipulation. Best of all, Waller-Bridge's Fleabag regularly breaks the fourth wall, making viewers feel like we are all in on her exploits together.

Available now

Why to watch: Previously portrayed by Tom Cruise in the film franchise, Alan Ritchson is physically closer to the Jack Reacher portrayed in Lee Childs' award-winning books. Like the book, Ritchson's Reacher is a hulking giant of a man who is not particularly verbose but can absolutely wreck an idiot. Somewhat miraculously, Ritchson also manages to imbue the muscly hero with humanity. It's not the only way in which this Prime Video series is closer to the source material, with its action beats, suspenseful mystery, and fun dynamic with Willa Fitzgerald's Roscoe.

Available now

Why to watch: Tom Clancy's novels face no shortage of film adaptations, and Mr. Ryan has been played by many-a-big-name actor (Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford, Ben Affleck, Chris Pine...), so what makes the television series different? For starters, John Krasinski offers an understated, nuanced take on the character of Ryan. It's more relatable than previous versions, which is impressive in a series as far removed from reality as this. It doesn't reinvent the wheel - it doesn't need to, the Jack Ryan series is a hit for a reason - but it does execute the fast-paced and explosive drama in a way that is entertaining for all.

Available now

Why to watch: A fascinating premise brought to life with unsettling realism. Not only is it visually stunning, something about the alternative history presented in The Man in the High Castle feels lived in. While the storytelling itself is slow at times, it at least gives one a break from freaking out about just how real it all seems - which is an incredible feat of television.

Available now

Why to watch: One of the best science-fiction dramas of recent years, sky high production values and well crafted storylines make The Expanse worthy of anyone's time. Despite being set centuries into humanity's future, it expertly invokes modern political issues in its storytelling. As well as scooping major plaudits from television critics, The Expanse also attracted positive attention from scientists - who commended the show's attention to technical details and how it accurately conveyed concepts such as uncontrolled decompression and spacecraft propulsion.

Available now

Why to watch: This gritty police drama paints a vivid portrait of Michael Connelly's titular LAPD detective Harry Bosch and its distinctly unglamorous Los Angeles setting. Titus Welliver has a lot on his plate with Bosch, with whom there is always something bubbling under the surface. Yet he does a remarkable job bringing the character to life, bringing subtle humour to Bosch's signature confrontational style and black-and-white thinking.

Available now

Why to watch: Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name by Colson Whitehead and directed by the Oscar-winning filmmaker Barry Jenkins, The Underground Railroad has a lot to live up to - and boy does it deliver. This ten-hour epic is immersive, thought-provoking and horrifying. It does nothing to sugarcoat the truth of America's past, but equally focuses on its characters as powerful survivors rather than victims. A moving piece of television that is not for the faint of heart.

Available now

Why to watch: Inspired by the hit 2004 film where Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt who - unbeknownst to each other - were both secret agents, this version of Mr. and Mrs. Smith tries a different tact - one that is arguably more successful. Instead of being a real married couple, Donald Glover and Maya Erskine are simply spies posing as one. Their professional commitments are at odds with the fact these two have no familiarity with each other at all - which makes for delightful comedy. And despite their characters' lack of real romantic entanglement, Glover and Erskine share a palpable chemistry that absolutely jumps off-screen.

Available now

Why to watch: This bold science-fiction drama boasts outstanding performances from its leads Josh Brolin and Imogen Poots, and their efforts keep a series that is wacky and wonderful grounded in reality. A gripping premise keeps viewers hooked, as Outer Range performs extensive world-building while never forgetting to make each twist and turn weirder than the next.

Available now

Why to watch: A funny and informative series which showcases the highs and lows of the British farming industry, through the lens of outsider (and new farm owner) Jeremy Clarkson. This is a less brash version of the Clarkson we typically see on his motoring shows, surrounded by family, friends and animals he cares for. Still, while Clarkson is the big name attached to the series, the star of the show is Clarkson’s farm manager Kaleb, who is incredibly knowledgeable about farming but less so about the world outside Chadlington where he lives. The series is also popular with real farmers, and The National Farmers’ Union awarded Clarkson Farming Champion of the Year in 2021.

Available now

Make a cuppa, organise your snacks and dive right into these Amazon Prime Video series this December. It may be cold outside, but you can hibernate with a range of thrillers, comedies and fantasy series until the new year arrives.