What’s coming soon to Sky and NOW TV in December 2020?
David Farnor | On 30, Nov 2020
Sky is unwrapping a bumper collection of festive treats this December, with Christmas specials of a host of Sky programmes – plus two special episodes of HBO’s Euphoria. Ridley Scott’s HBO Max sci-fi Raised by Wolves is also on the way, along with the final chapter of Tin Star and new comedy Moonbase. For those wanting a seasonal trip to the theatre, there’s a stage production of The Grinch, plus the National Theatre Live recordings of Twelfth Night and Jane Eyre. And there’s a double-bill of family TV offerings in form of Roald and Beatrix and After Ever After.
Don’t have Sky? You can stream all of the above live and on-demand through NOW, Sky’s contract-free VOD service, which costs £9.99 a month for an Entertainment Membership. For more information, click here.
Sky Cinema, meanwhile, boasts some of the standout movies of the past year, many of them notable digital releases during the coronavirus lockdown – including Emma and Little Women, as well as Misbehaviour, Clemency, Trolls World Tour and Happiest Season. Also, Cats.
Again, if you don’t have Sky, you can stream all of Sky Cinema live and on-demand through NOW, for £11.99 a month. For more information on that, click here. For sports, you can also sign up to NOW’s Sky Sports Pass on a contract-free basis. For more information, click here.
All of these you can stream in HD by adding a NOW Boost to your account, which costs an additional £3 a month. For more information, click here.
Here’s your guide to what’s coming soon in December 2020:
Entertainment
Boys (9pm, Sky Arts) – 2nd December
Ashley Walters makes his directorial debut with BOYS, a Sky original short film written by newcomer Jerome Holder.
Unmuted (10pm, Sky Arts) – 2nd December
Unmuted is a brand new, late-night British youth arts and culture show. Broadcast on Sky Arts biannually and co-hosted by Remel London and Aaron Roach-Bridgeman, it features studio guests as well as filmed segments led by a diverse group of location presenters.
The Night Watchmen’s Nativity (6pm, Sky Arts) – 6th December
Rediscovering truth, hope and inclusivity in one of the most famous stories of all time. Powered by urgent storytelling, a bold aesthetic and breathtaking gospel music, this film gives a voice back to the outsiders at the heart of the Christmas narrative.
Raised by Wolves: Season 1 (9pm, Sky Atlantic) – 5th December
An epic sci-fi series from Ridley Scott, this ten-episode HBO Max series centres on two androids tasked with raising human children on a mysterious virgin planet. As the burgeoning colony of humans threatens to be torn apart by religious differences, the androids learn that controlling the beliefs of humans is a treacherous and difficult task.
Euphoria (9pm, Sky Atlantic) – 7th December
Fresh from winning an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress, Zendaya will return as troubled 17- year-old Rue for two special standalone episodes of teen drama Euphoria, set during the pandemic.
Tin Star: Liverpool (9pm, Sky Atlantic) – 10th December
Tim Roth, Genevieve O’Reilly and Abigail Lawriereprise their roles as the Worth family in the third and final chapter of the epic thriller, Tin Star. The Worth family’s arrival in the sleepy Canadian town of Little Big Bear brought devastation and ruin to all those who encountered them. Now, as Jack Worth’s past fully catches up with him, they must return to Liverpool to confront their menacing past and finish their story of revenge, with violent consequences. Ian Hart, Tanya Moodie, Joanne Whalley and Kerrie Hayes join the cast for the climactic conclusion of the Sky Original drama.
Transplant: Season 1 (9pm, Sky Witness) – 15th December
When Dr Bashir Hamed, a Syrian doctor, flees his war-torn homeland, he and his younger sister become refugees, struggling to start a new life in Canada. And so he begins to redo his medical training from the ground up. Hamza Haq leads a cast that includes John Hannah.
There’s Something About Movies: Christmas Special (9pm, Sky One) – 16th December
There’s nothing like a good Christmas movie, and rest assured, this will be nothing like a good Christmas movie. Alan Carr hosts the merry mayhem as Martin Sheen, Jennifer Saunders and Tom Allen hold a seasonal round of the movie quiz show with re-enactments of your favourite cinematic Christmas moments.
The Russell Howard Hour: Christmas Special (10pm, Sky One) – 17th December
Russell Howard takes a look back at the year that wasn’t.
A League of Their Own: Christmas Special (9pm, Sky One) – 17th December
Your Christmas parties might not be going ahead this year, but the League of Their Own boys aren’t going to let a global pandemic stop their festive fun. Join Jamie Redknapp, Freddie Flintoff, Romesh Ranganathan and a team of celebrity guests for more holiday hijinks and sporting Christmas challenges.
Micky Flanagan: Peeping Behind the Curtain (9pm, Sky One) – 18th December
A backstage pass to Micky Flanagan’s “An Another Fing” tour, the sell-out 02 stadium run that became the world’s biggest comedy tour.
David Blaine: Beyond Magic (9pm, Sky One) – 20th December
Magic meets documentary in the one-hour special, as David Blaine blows the minds of some of the most recognisable celebrities in the world.
Murder on Middle Beach (9pm, Sky Crime) – 20th December
A four-part documentary series directed by firsttime filmmaker Madison Hamburg, examining his complicated journey to solve an unspeakable crime and absolve the people he loves while seeking out answers within his own fractured family and community.
The Grinch Who Stole Christmas: The Musical (6pm, Sky One) – 20th December
Discover the magic of Dr. Seuss’ classic holiday tale as it comes to life on stage. Featuring the hit songs “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas,” The Grinch discovers there’s more to Christmas than he bargained for in this heart-warming holiday classic.
Little Mix: Live at the O2 (1pm, Sky One) – 21st December
Lack of live music getting you down? Don’t fret! Britain’s biggest girl band are here to get you dancing in your living room. Taken from the foursomes soldout performance from LM5: The Tour in November 2019, Leigh Anne, Perrie, Jade and Jesy will be bringing their biggest hits, including Black Magic, Wings, Salute, and Shout Out to my Ex.
National Theatre Live: Twelfth Night (9pm, Sky Arts) – 21st December
Make a date with Shakespeare with his whirlwind comedy of mistaken identity, featuring Tamsin Greig as a transformed Malvolia in Twelfth Night.
Moonbase 8 (9pm, Sky Comedy) – 21st December
John C Reilly stars in this new comedy series with Fred Armisen and Tim Heidecker as three astronauts stationed at NASA’s Moon Base Simulator in a remote part of the Arizona desert.
After Ever After: Jack and the Beanstalk (8pm, Sky One) – 23rd December
Fee Fi Fo Fum, I smell the blood of David Walliams, who returns with another tale of what happens after happily ever after, this time looking into what happened after Jack felled the beanstalk and defeated the giant.
Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse (8pm, Sky One) – 24th December
An all-star cast including Dawn French, Jessica Hynes, Rob Brydon, Alison Steadman, Nina Sosanya, Bill Bailey and Nick Mohammed appear in this heartwarming comedy drama arriving in time for Christmas, telling the story of how a lonely young boy sets off on a big adventure to meet his favourite author, one Beatrix Potter (Dawn French). Their eventual meeting would play a big role in his life, as the boy would grow up to become Roald Dahl and write magical children’s books of his own.
National Theatre Live: Jane Eyre (9pm, Sky Arts) – 28th December
At a time when many theatre fans around the world aren’t able to visit National Theatre Live venues or local theatres, Sky brings two productions from the National Theatre on Sky Arts. In a collaboration between the National Theatre and Bristol Old Vic, the classic story of the trailblazing Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte is as inspiring as ever.
NCIS: LA – Season 12 (Sky One) – TBC
Chris O’Donnell and LL Cool J return for another action-packed season of NCIS:LA, with a critical mission waiting for them as the season begins.
Magnum PI – Season 3 (Sky One) – TBC
Magnum and the gang explode back on to your screen for another season of fast cars, daring missions and Hawaii heat.
Tiger (Sky Documentaries) – TBC
A two-part documentary series offering a revealing look at the rise, fall, and epic comeback of global icon Tiger Woods, painting an intimate picture of the prodigy whose dedication and obsession with the game of golf not only took his fame and success to new heights, but also down a dark, spiralling road that eventually led to a legendary sports comeback, culminated by his victory at the 2019 Masters.
Movies
Apartment 1BR – 2nd December
Neighbours don’t become good friends in this low-key horror story of claustrophobia and conformity.
Dolittle – 4th December
Robert Downey Jr. takes on the magical role of the man who can grunt and squeak and squawk with the animals in this retelling of the classic tale.
Emma (2020) – 5th December
Jane Austen’s beloved comedy about finding your equal and earning your happy ending, is reimagined in this delicious new film adaptation of Emma.
Elf – 8th December
Buddy – a human raised as an elf – journeys to New York to find his real dad in this genuinely hilarious film, which is one of the few modern movies to become a perennial festive favourite.
Little Women – 11th December
Lady Bird director Greta Gerwig directs this critically acclaimed adaptation of the timeless, and timely, Louisa May Alcott novel starring Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson and Florence Pugh.
Sonic The Hedgehog – 18th December
Bursting out of the video game world and onto the big screen at the speed of sound, the blue blur makes his cinematic debut opposite James Marsden as a good-hearted sheriff and Jim Carrey as Dr Robotnik.
Happiest Season – 19th December
Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis lead a delightful ensemble in this warm-hearted Christmas romantic comedy.
Misbehaviour – 20th December
Keira Knightley, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Jessie Buckley and more star in this comedy about the team of women who disrupted the 1970 Miss World beauty contest in London.
Clemency – 23rd December
Alfre Woodard delivers a heartbreaking performance in Chinonye Chukwu’s powerful death row drama.
Trolls World Tour – 25th December
Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake return in an all-star sequel to 2016’s musical smash hit.
Cats (2019) – 26th December
Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech) is at the helm of this… interesting take on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s beloved and long-running musical.
Other movies coming soon to Sky Cinema in December 2020:
1st December
My Zoe
3rd December
Life with Music
6th December
Critical Thinking
7th December
A Christmas Feast
8th December
Message Man
9th December
Love Sarah
10th December
Adam (2020)
12th December
Black Christmas (2019)
13th December
One Way to Denmark
14th December
A Christmas to Cherish
15th December
The Rifleman
16th December
Then Came You
17th December
The Bay of Silence
21st December
Moomins and the Winter Wonderland (2017)
22nd December
Swimming for Gold
24th December
Like A Boss
27th December
Downhill
28th December
Centigrade
29th December
The Iron Mask
30th December
Repression (2020)
31st December
Foxtrot Six