WATCHED all there is to stream on Netflix and co? Well, look no further. The Celeb Report has got you covered with the best new TV shows coming to your screens.
From the eagerly anticipated special of The Grand Tour, to the sensational return of Tracey Beaker, there’s no shortage of shows to binge-watch until your heart’s content.
The Grand Tour: Carnage À Trois (Amazon Prime)
If you’re French, perhaps look away now.
For their latest Grand Tour, Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond are turning their amused and bemused attention to the weird and wonderful world of French cars and France’s relationship with motoring.
Along the way, the trio – who actually filmed much of the one-off episode in Wales – get to grips with some classic French motors, one of which is powered by a propeller, and put them through their paces.
They also make a Citroen 2CV and a Pluriel do things they most certainly weren’t designed for, and enjoy a highly competitive race hampered by some typically French obstacles.
“We tried to look at the quirkiness of French cars,” says Clarkson.
“The French, they don’t think like us. French cars are, and have always been, odd.
“Even today, if you tell them they’ve got to make an ordinary, straightforward hatchback that will sell to millions of people all over the world, they’ll put the steering wheel under the dashboard or do something which is unconventional.”
As ever, it’s lots of fun – although quite what the show’s French fans will make of it, we’ll have to wait and see.
Available to watch from Friday, 17 December.
The Beaker Girls (BBC iPlayer)
Hot on the heels of My Mum Tracy Beaker, the irrepressible Tracy Dani Harmer and her sassy daughter Jess are back for a new five-part series, crammed with adventure, disasters, laughter and one or two tears.
We catch up with the pair enjoying life running the junk shop, The Dumping Ground, in the seaside town of Cooksea.
Surrounded by friends new and old, things couldn’t be better. But, this being the Beakers, trouble is never too far away and their cosy existence is turned upside down by the arrival of runaway teen Jordan.
Touched by Jordan’s story Tracy begins to contemplate becoming a foster parent – but Jess isn’t quite so keen on the idea.
Available to watch from Tuesday, 14 December.
Russell Howard: Lubricant (Netflix)
Life during lockdown was no laughing matter for many comedians.
Take Russell Howard, for example. Before COVID hit, he was about to head out on the biggest world tour of his career, he’d just got married, was turning 40 and looked unstoppable.
But then the pandemic put paid to his plans, and he was forced to head back to his parents’ home while lockdown took over.
Finally, as things began to open up, he started gigging, culminating in his latest stand-up special, Lubricant.
That show is one half of this new two-part special, which also includes a documentary – Until The Wheels Come Off – which follows Russell during those difficult lockdown days as he tried to get his career up and running again.
Available to watch from Tuesday, 14 December.
Swan Song (Apple TV+)
How far would you go to shield your loved ones from grief and heartbreak?
When devoted husband and family man Cameron is diagnosed with a terminal illness, his doctor offers him the chance to secretly clone himself, in order to protect his family from the trauma of losing him.
But with the reality of his situation still not sinking in, will Cameron take such a radical and risky step?
Naomie Harris and Awkwafina also star in this powerful and emotional sci-fi drama, which features a compelling performance from the always-brilliant Mahershala.
Available to watch from Friday, 17 December.
Canada’s Drag Race (BBC iPlayer)
RuPaul really has conquered the globe, with regional editions of his brilliant, life-affirming series now being broadcast in countries as varied as Australia and Chile, Holland and the Philippines.
The Canadian-flavoured incarnation returns for a second season this week, with a spectacular new batch of new queens – early favourites include the formidable Icesis Couture and Gia Metric – ready to do battle over a series of demanding, dazzling challenges. You know the drill.
Once again, former Drag Race runner up Brook Lynn Hytes leads the panel of judges, joined this time by Traci Melchor, Amanda Brugel and Brad Goreski.
It’s going to be colourful, catty and fabulous.
Available to watch from Friday, 17 December.
Ron’s Gone Wrong (Disney+)
Tweenager Barney has no friends, so his dad purchases him a slightly damaged robot pal, Ron, to keep him company.
The only problem is, Ron’s programming isn’t quite right, and when he fights back against some kids bullying Barney, it becomes clear that unpredictable Ron might need to be scrapped – much to Barney’s horror.
Can he save his lovably mischievous friend? Funny, heart-warming and filled with important lessons for young kids, this fab animation is an absolute treat for the whole family.
It’s pretty starry, too, with Zach Galifianakis, Rob Delaney and Olivia Colman among the big names lending their voices.
Available to watch from Wednesday, 15 December.
Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol (Sky On Demand & NOW)
Based on Dan Brown’s mega-selling novel of the same name, and serving as a prequel to block-busting movies The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons, this 10-part series introduces viewers to the young Robert Langdon.
When his former academic mentor Peter Solomon goes missing, prodigious Harvard University professor Robert is called upon to use his burgeoning puzzle-solving powers to help find him.
If you’re looking for gripping, twist-laden entertainment, heavily laced with shady, shadowy historical shenanigans and complex, conspiracy-fuelled action, it’s certainly worth investigating.
Mariah’s Christmas: The Magic Continues (Apple TV+)
All we want for Christmas is a spectacular Mariah Carey festive special – and what do you know, Santa has delivered.
Settle back as the multi-talented musical diva gives us an exclusive live performance of her new single – Fall In Love At Christmas – as well as other seasonal classics like Christmas and, of course, her own All I Want For Christmas Is You.
With guests including Khaled, an interview with Zane Lowe and appearances from her 10-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe, it’s a tinsel-tastic treat for anyone who loves Mariah – and Christmas.
The Expanse (Amazon Prime)
With so many space-set sci-fi series to choose from these days, it can be difficult for shows to make their mark.
But it’s hard to argue with the success of six-season drama The Expanse, which follows the adventures of the crew of space warship the Rocinante, caught in the middle of an epic war between Earth, Mars and the Asteroid Belt.
The new – and final – season starts with the solar system still in conflict, Marco Inaros and his Free Navy continuing to launch asteroid attacks on Earth and Mars and the crew of the Rocinante – lead by James Holden – in danger of being torn apart.
The Rescue (Disney+)
When 12 young Thai footballers and their coach became trapped inside a flooded cave in 2018, the world held its breath and prayed for their safe rescue.
For more than two weeks, the boys remained trapped until, finally, the complex and massive rescue mission – which involved more than 100 divers from all over the world – managed to bring all 12 out alive.
The story of that amazing rescue, and those who took part in it, is chronicled in this compelling documentary.
And even though you know it’s a story with a happy ending, it’s still heart-in-mouth stuff.
Welcome To Earth (Disney+)
Like some kind of marvellous Bear Grylls, Michael Palin and David Attenborough hybrid, Will Smith sets off on a spectacular six-part journey to visit some of Earth’s most breath-taking and sometimes dangerous wonders.
From silent volcanoes and moving deserts to swarms of exotic animals, the Hollywood star soaks it all up with his usual enthusiasm and humour, regularly putting his own safety on the line for our entertainment.
The real star of the show, however, has to be Planet Earth itself, which is captured in all its glory by some genuinely jaw-dropping cinematography.
