This Western comes with an unmistakable Irish tint, not only because its protagonist Fiona Nolan – played with trademark ferocity by Game of Thrones’ Lena Headey – hails from our shores, but also thanks to the presence of rising star Aisling Franciosi. The Abandons follows Nolan and her battle to keep her land from being purchased by the wealthy Constance Van Ness – an immaculate Gillian Anderson. the Western might potentially be a slumbering genre, but this could be the project to stir it awake again.
The Late Late Toy Show, RTÉ One, Dec 5, 9.35pm:
Patrick Kielty returns to marshal the most beloved night on the Irish TV calendar as the Toy Show lands once more,bringing together children from every corner of the country for an irrepressible festivity of imagination. It wouldn’t be the Toy Show without some festive pandemonium, heartfelt stories, and the usual dose of chaos that makes the show a national treasure. We expect this year will be no different.
Jay Kelly, Netflix, Dec 5:
George Clooney leans into his own mythos in jay Kelly, a glossy dramedy about an aging movie star facing the reckoning that comes when fame fades and regrets pile up. Enlisting Adam Sandler and Laura Dern for emotional (and comedic) backup, Kelly follows his daughter across Europe in what becomes a road trip of confession and ego-bruising. A smooth watch that will go down easily with a glass of wine on a dark December night.
President Connolly: How The Race Was Won, RTÉ One, Monday, Dec 8, 9.35pm:
This political documentary peels back the curtain on our most recent Race for the Áras. President Connolly charts the strategies, missteps, turning points and triumphs that defined the election. It’s a must-see for anyone who enjoys the theater of politics – or simply wants to understand how ireland ended up with its newest leader.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, Netflix, Dec 12:
Daniel Craig slips back into the linen suits and honeyed Southern drawl of Benoit Blanc for his third outing as cinema’s most charismatic detective. Joined by a starry ensemble – including Andrew Scott and Josh O’Connor – Blanc tackles his most labyrinthine case yet. After a limited theatrical run,the film arrives on Netflix on December 12,amid whispers that it may be the sharpest entry in the Rian Johnson directed series.
Fallout Season 2,Amazon Prime,Dec 17:
Ella Purnell and Walton Goggins return to Amazon’s irradiated wasteland for a second season of Fallout,the rare video-game adaptation that captured critical acclaim.