Top new series in December 2022

We wrap up the year with this shiny bundle of brand-new and returning seasons of your favourite drama and survivor shows. You do know we love you, right?

(L–R) Brand new ‘Letterkenny’ , ‘Tokyo Vice’, ‘Latecomers’ and ‘Romulus’ season 2. Source: SBS On Demand

Ralph And Katie

‘Ralph And Katie’. Source: ITV Studios

In this delightful spin-off of UK drama series The A Word (seasons 1–3 are now streaming at SBS On Demand), we follow newlyweds Ralph (Leon Harrop) and Katie (Sarah Gordy), who both have Down’s syndrome, in their fledgling life together. Writer Peter Bowker worked with writers and crew with disabilities for this series, which The Guardian describes as having “insight into the emotional lives of people for whom judging social situations and articulating feelings can be difficult” forming “the crucial fleck of grit” in this show of “pure joy”. (You don’t need to have watched The A Word to enjoy Ralph And Katie but it’s where we get to know Ralph and other faces that’ll pop up.)

Ralph And Katie is now streaming at SBS On Demand. 

Planet Sex with Cara Delevingne

‘Planet Sex with Cara Delevingne’. Source: Distributor

Cara Delevingne takes us on a trip around the world in this frank and fascinating look at gender, attraction and sexual identity to investigate how technology, science, culture and pornography shape and shift our attitudes. Her desire is to push boundaries and open minds. From Mexico City’s love hotels and Barcelona’s feminist porn scene, to South Africa’s sexually fluid communities, to suburban homes and beyond, Delevingne delves into unique human stories and diverse forms of sexual expression and attraction backed by groundbreaking research. This BBC docu-series is a thrilling adventure. 

Six-part series Planet Sex with Cara Delevingne is now streaming at SBS On Demand.

Latecomers

‘Latecomers’. Photo by Renata Dominik. Source: Renata Dominik

When it comes to sex, it’s better late than never. Our latecomers are the lovelorn Frank (Angus Thompson) and cynical Sarah (Hannah Diviney) for whom cerebral palsy impacts their sexual inexperience, something they admit when they’re forced to interact after their respective carers abandon them to hook up. Frank asks her out, but turns up drunk and insults Sarah. His carer Elliot (Patrick Jhanur, Sea Patrol) swoops in to clean up the mess, setting off an unpredictable chain reaction. Sarah’s carer Brandi (Miriama Smith, Harrow), perimenopausal party-girl, inevitably gets involved.

This bold, hilarious and at times heart-wrenching new Australian series is a Screen Australia and SBS Digital Originals series and premieres on International Day of People with Disability. Diviney shines in her first ever acting role. The influential writer and women’s and disability rights advocate was named joint winner of ‘The Voice of Now’ at the 2022 Marie Claire Women Of The Year Awards. Thompson co-created and co-wrote the series with Emma Myers and acclaimed comedian, actor and writer Nina Oyama (The Angus Project, Tonightly with Tom Ballard).

Latecomers premieres exclusively in Australia on Saturday 3 December. Stream the complete season at SBS On Demand or catch episodes weekly from 8.30pm on SBS Viceland. 

Alone Denmark

‘Alone Denmark’ season 5. Source: Distributor

This is the reality TV series the world cannot get enough of: it’s not just the elements the participants must survive, but their relationship with themselves. Denmark’s version of the survivalist competition series now tantalises us with its fifth season, throwing 10 new participants in the extremely harsh climes of another part of Norway’s wilderness. Who will come out on top?  

Season 5 of Alone Denmark premieres exclusively in Australia and is now streaming at SBS On Demand. (Seasons 1–4 are also streaming.) Dive into season 5 here:

Tokyo Vice

Ansel Elgort as Jake Adelstein in ‘Tokyo Vice’. Source: James Lisle

“Don’t write about this.” Thankfully for us, young reporter Jake Adelstein – “the only American journalist ever to have been admitted to the insular Tokyo Metropolitan Police Press Club” ­– ignores that advice. Inspired by his memoir, the series takes Adelstein (played by Ansel Elgort, Baby Driver) from wide-eyed cub as a prestigious newspaper’s first American crime reporter to a rapid descent into the Japanese capital’s 1990s underbelly. Also starring the inimitable Ken Watanabe (The Last Samurai) as his mentor Detective Hiroto Katagiri and Rachel Keller (Dirty John) as a fellow expat and love interest, this series is gripping and gritty, and shows the usually well-hidden seedy, corrupt side of Tokyo.

Tokyo Vice premieres exclusively in Australia at 9.30pm on SBS, Wednesday 7 December. Episodes air weekly. Be quick to catch up at SBS On Demand. Each episode will only be available for 21 days after it goes to air.

Huss

Karin Franz Körlof as Detective Katarina Huss in ‘Huss’. Source: Distributor

Following in her mother’s footsteps, Detective Katarina Huss (Karin Franz Körlof, Greyzone) is a newcomer to the force. Being so green gives her the momentum she’ll need to overcome the hardship of working with crime. Her colleagues present a challenge too, being suspicious of her abilities, and you’d think her mother Irene (Kajsa Ernst) would be more supportive, but no. Betrayal and corruption await Huss; her work’s certainly cut out for her in this Swedish crime drama.

Huss premieres exclusively in Australia and is now streaming at SBS On Demand.

Special Event: NITV 10th Anniversary Concert

Hosts of ‘From the Heart of Our Nation: A Celebration’ Luke Carroll and Narelda Jacobs. Source: NITV

To celebrate 10 years of NITV, Wiradjuri man Luke Carroll and Whadjuk Noongar woman Narelda Jacobs will host the special live broadcast event, From the Heart of Our Nation: A Celebration from Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Performing will be some of Australia’s best Indigenous artists, celebrating the strength, resilience and talent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, ushering in a new decade of Blak excellence.  

Anniversary celebrations continue throughout summer, with an original line-up of NITV programming. Click here for all the details on the suite of news, food, entertainment, documentary and drama premieres to look forward to.

Live stream the 10th anniversary concert celebrating NITV’s first decade, at 7.30pm on NITV and SBS, Monday 12 December.

Romulus – season 2

‘Romulus’ season 2. Source: Distributor

Following the tale of Romulus and his twin brother Remus, in this second season, Yemos (Andrea Arcangeli) and Wiros (Francesco Di Napoli) have settled in what was once Velia, with the ones loyal to them. Consecrating it as a free and independent kingdom, they have named it Ruma. Following a series of battles, thrillingly narrow escapes and the dawn of a war, the fate of Ruma, which can only have one king, becomes increasingly uncertain. Who will take the name of Romulus?

Season 2 of Romulus premieres exclusively in Australia at SBS On Demand on Thursday 15 December. Catch up with season 1, now streaming.   

Strait To The Plate – season 2

Even more than a good pun, we love a good food and travel show. This winning combination reaches new northern heights as Aaron Fa’aoso is our enthusiastic guide to Torres Strait Islander cuisine. Cruising through the exquisite beauty of the hundreds of islands of the Torres Strait, Fa’aoso is met by locals eager to share their sustainable food-gathering practices that have ensured a thriving community here for tens of thousands of years, and mouth-watering recipes taking in Asian and Papua New Guinean influences. A delicious treat and a window into this magestic part of our nation.

Season 2 of Strait To The Plate premieres exclusively in Australia at SBS On Demand on Thursday 15 December. Dip into season 1 episodes, now streaming.

Secrets Of Playboy

‘Secrets Of Playboy’. Source: Distributor

Wonder no more, as we get the scoop on Hugh Hefner, self-proclaimed proponent of free speech and sexual liberation for men and women alike. Former Playmates, girlfriends and employees share their experiences and struggles, supported by sex and trauma therapist Dr Kate Balestrieri. Historically silenced over the years, they now reveal shocking stories and uncover the manipulation and strict rules designed to control women that lie behind the Playboy mansion fantasy.

Secrets Of Playboy premieres exclusively in Australia on SBS and SBS On Demand on Monday 19 December. Episodes continue weekly.

Guilt – season 2

‘Guilt’ season 2. Source: Distributor

The twisted and ultra-cool Scottish thriller is back, as steeped in black humour and smouldering with intrigue as ever. Now that guilt has been absolved, it’s time for revenge to take over. Out of gaol on licence, the fate of Max (Mark Bonnar) is in the hands of an undercover cop who offers him freedom at a very high price: informing on his dangerous enemy, Roy Lynch (Stuart Bowman). Things get even more hairy and unpredictable this season, and we know we will love it to bits. Emun Elliott, Ruth Bradley, Henry Pettigrew and Jamie Sives also star.

Season 2 of Guilt premieres exclusively in Australia at SBS On Demand on Thursday 22 December. Catch up on season 1, now streaming.

 

Thunder In My Heart

‘Thunder In My Heart’. Source: Distributor

It’s nice to be reminded that Sweden offers more than just gripping crime dramas. Here, we have a contemporary coming-of-age-type drama. Sigrid (Amy Deasismont) is 22 and she and her friends are struggling to meet the unexpected demands of adult life. They thought it’d be so much easier, but here they are, face to face with their identities, pasts and passions, trying to make sense of them all to move forward coherently. Alexander Abdallah, Gustaf Hammarsten and Julia Lyskova Juhlin also star. Incidentally, Deasismont is a well-known singer in her home region, performing under the stage name, Amy Diamond. She sparkles here, too.

Thunder In My Heart premieres exclusively in Australia at SBS On Demand on Thursday 22 December.

Letterkenny – brand new episodes

Jared Keeso stars as Wayne in ‘Letterkenny’. Keeso is co-creator of the series with Jacob Tierney, who plays Glen. Source: Distributor

The Letterkenny universe just keeps expanding. Along with spin-off Shoresy (now streaming at SBS On Demand), new episodes join the first hilarious several seasons of the very original Letterkenny. The six-part instalment promises to deliver on all the laughs and oddness we’ve come to adore about these wonderful weirdos that’ve endeared themselves to our hearts. 

Brand new episodes of Letterkenny premiere exclusively in Australia at SBS On Demand on Wednesday 28 December.

L’Opéra – season 2

We fell in love with this French drama last year, as it took us behind the curtains of France’s prestigious Opera Garnier house and the ballet corps who train hard within her. Season 2 picks up where we left the impassioned ballerinas. After fighting her way back against many odds, Zoé (Ariane Labed, Trigonometry) is in the corps once again, but her place is not a given; when a fresh obstacle presents itself, she’ll have to prove she can deliver. Flora (Suzy Bemba) officially joins the corps too, a dream come true for the youngster who’s shown she’s mature beyond her years. How will she cope with the new ultra-rigorous demands? Familiar faces return, including embattled young company director Sebastién (Raphaël Personnaz), and new ones arrive to stir the pot. On y va!  

Season 2 of L’Opéra premieres exclusively in Australia at SBS On Demand on Thursday 29 December. Catch up with season 1, now streaming.