The homebodies among us have our own New Year's Eve ritual, and that's ringing in the new year with a binge watch.
Now, you could spend the night catching up with some of the year's best television. Say, prestige projects like FX's awards juggernaut Shgun, or the arty, seductive Ripley (Netflix). How about an only-good-vibes show like the deliciously trashy Rivals (Hulu), rom-com Nobody Wants This (Netflix), or the (sadly axed) comic-fantasy-bodice ripper My Lady Jane (Prime)? Or perhaps a romping spy series like Mr. and Mrs. Smith (Prime) or Black Doves (Netflix)?
But maybe those shows sound so 2024, and you want to look to the future. That means a rewatch (or first watch) to ready you for 2025's returning shows.
If you think World War II on TV is all played out, consider this roisterous action drama from Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight. Broadly based on a book by Ben Macintyre, it follows the formation of a British Army's special forces unit given leave to go commando (to AC/DC needle drops, no less) in the North African campaign against Rommel. You can screen the six-part first season on Prime.
Returns January 12
Also set during World War II is this gentle family drama about a veterinarian in the Yorkshire Dales. It's based on the beloved book series by James Herriot, and it's the television equivalent of a hot water bottle, cozy and warming. Donate to PBS to access to the first four seasons via the Passport app.
Returns January 12
By the time the second season of this trippy workplace psychological thriller debuts, more than a thousand days will have passed since Severance's first season concluded. Admit it: You need a refresher on where we left the Innies, Outies, and those baby goats.
Returns January 17
This autobiographical series (from Mo Amer and Ramy Youssef) about a Palestinian refugee in Houston was one of 2022's best comedies. The first season ended on a wild cliffhanger, Fellini meets Kafka along the Mexico border, and that's where the second (and final) season picks up.
Returns January 30
You know those "People Also Ask" AI prompts that Google's feeding us now? Well, I just typed in "Yellowjackets" and apparently what people are asking is "Who is the girl eaten in the first episode of Yellowjackets?" So that should give you a pretty good idea if this dark drama - about a high school soccer team stranded in the wilderness when their plane goes down - is for you. Paramount+ subscribers get the early drop on Valentine's Day with the third season's first two episodes.
Returns February 16
Do you really need to watch previous seasons of Mike White's resort-based, satirical murder mysteries? Not precisely - these are standalone stories - but season 1 masseuse Natasha Rothwell does return in the Thailand-set season 3 (alongside new cast members Walton Goggins, Parker Posey, Carrie Coon, Jason Isaacs, and Patrick Schwarzenegger), so that's a good enough excuse to go back to the well.
Returns February 16
Honestly, Marvel Studios' TV output has been pretty terrible, but hope springs eternal, especially considering Daredevil: Born Again reassembles the same leads from the series that aired on Netflix from 2015-2018 - Charlie Cox as the titular lawyer-slash-masked vigilante and Vincent D'Onofrio as his nemesis, cueball Kingpin. Those episodes have all migrated to Disney+ now; be sure to nightcap with episode 8 from She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, for Matt and Jennifer's zingy, what-might-have-been flirtation.