Netflix’s Great British Baking Show holiday specials, Secret Level, and more new TV this week

The days are short, cold, and far too packed with things to do. So let me help by adding a bit more to your to-do list this week with some television to add to your schedule.

Don’t worry, it doesn’t all have to be appointment (what is streaming good for, if not setting your own appointment TV viewing times?). It can be a little more leisurely and fit into your schedule — hopefully no one is spoiling Great British Baking Show’s holiday specials for you. (And if there is someone in your life like that: Don’t worry, the ghosts of Christmas specials past will be knocking soon.)

Also, not to add to your stress level, but there are some ongoing shows you can keep up with this week not reflected in this list — your Dune: Prophecy, or What We Do in the Shadows, or Star Trek: Lower Decks (coming up on the finale!).

Here’s the best new TV premieres to watch this week.

New shows on Netflix

The Great British Baking Show: Holidays

Genre: GBBO, with all holiday treats
Release date: Dec. 9, with all episodes
Judges: Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith

[Andy Williams singing voice] It’s the holiday season, and Paul Hollywood is coming ’round — to judge all the holiday treats of the Great British Baking Show: Holidays season 7! He’ll, as always, be joined by Prue Leith, and collectively they will award Star Baker to whichever returning baker makes the best holiday baked goods. Come one, come all, come with plenty of treats to munch on (because watching this hungry… that’ll make for a blue, blue Christmastime).

1992

Genre: Twisty thriller
Release date: Dec. 13, with all episodes
Showrunner/creator: Jorge Guerricaechevarría
Cast: Fernando Valdivielso, Marian Álvarez, Paz Vega, and more

Mysterious murders keep happening, and they’re all following the same pattern: a victim who’s been burned, and a Curro doll (the mascot of Seville’s Expo ’92) left nearby. Can police figure out whodunit before the murderer strikes again? This being a mystery, probably not right away — but maybe they can stop them before they strike too many more times.

New shows on Prime Video

Secret Level

Genre: Episodic anthology (or “video games vignettes”)
Release date: Dec. 10, with eight episodes
Showrunner/creator: Tim Miller
Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Laura Bailey, Keanu Reeves, and more

Each episode of Secret Level comes with a short little story set in the world of a video game. The first week of episodes alone includes Dungeons & Dragons, Sifu, New World, Unreal Tournament, Warhammer: 40,000, Pac-Man, Crossfire, and Armored Core. This being an anthology, no game, actor, or even animation style carries over from one episode to the next. Plus, it’s from the team that brought you Love, Death & Robots!

New shows on Paramount Plus

Dexter: Original Sin

Genre: Undercover boss serial killer intern
Release date: Dec. 13
Cast: Patrick Gibson, Molly Brown, Christina Milian, and more

Remember Dexter (as played Michael C. Hall), the prolific serial killer who was also a blood spatter analyst working with Miami PD? He was the star of the show Dexter? And returned in Dexter: New Blood? This is the prequel series about him — honing his serial killing tendencies, taking an internship with the Miami Police Department, and struggling to have it all (killing people and also improving the world). While Patrick Gibson will be starring as Dexter this time around, Hall does return as the narrator of the series.