Cold War espionage, dragon-filled fantasies, and zombie apocalypses dominate streaming platforms this weekend.
January brings an unexpected treasure trove of premium content across every major service.
Whether you’re craving medieval adventures in Westeros or tense spy games in 1970s Moscow, there’s something binge-worthy waiting.
Here’s everything worth watching—and what you should probably skip.
Return to Westeros: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Debuts on HBO
Game of Thrones fans finally get their wish: a return to the world George R.R. Martin created, but before everything went catastrophically wrong. Set a hundred years before the events that captivated millions, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms follows Ser Duncan the Tall and his mysterious squire, Egg, as they traverse Westeros.
Peter Claffey portrays Dunk, a hedge knight—landless, penniless, but genuinely noble. Dexter Sol Ansell plays Egg, whose true identity remains shrouded in mystery for newcomers.
The series adapts Martin’s beloved novellas, with creator Ira Parker reportedly enjoying an “excellent working relationship” with the author—a stark contrast to the “miserable” dynamic between Martin and House of the Dragon showrunner Ryan Condal. Early reactions suggest this collaboration shows in the quality.
Emilia Clarke Returns in Cold War Thriller Ponies
Game of Thrones alum Emilia Clarke teams up with The White Lotus star Haley Lu Richardson for Peacock’s new espionage drama. Ponies—spy-speak for “persons of no interest”—transports viewers to 1977 Moscow, where two American embassy secretaries discover their husbands died under suspicious circumstances.
The setup recalls classic Cold War narratives like The Spy Who Came In From The Cold and the critically acclaimed series The Americans. Critics are enthusiastic, awarding it a 95% Rotten Tomatoes score, though audiences are slightly more reserved at 74%.
The 1970s Moscow setting provides rich atmosphere for conspiracy and moral ambiguity—hallmarks of great spy fiction.
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Divides Trekkies
The newest addition to the Star Trek universe chronicles the first class of cadets in over a century training to become Starfleet officers. Set in the 32nd century—roughly a millennium after the original Star Trek timeline—the series unfolds after a massive cataclysm devastated the Federation of Planets.
Critics awarded it an 85% approval rating, while audiences registered a dramatically lower 35% score. This massive gap signals another chapter in ongoing debates about modern Star Trek’s direction.
The series continues the timeline established in Star Trek: Discovery’s third season, exploring how Starfleet rebuilds after catastrophe.
Olivia Bonham Carter Tackles Agatha Christie Mystery
Netflix debuts Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials, a three-part limited series from Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall. The project marks the first production from his new company, Orchid Pictures, starring the always-compelling Olivia Bonham Carter.
Reviews land somewhere in the middle with a 62% Rotten Tomatoes score—not disastrous, but not glowing either. Christie adaptations remain notoriously difficult to execute, balancing period authenticity with modern pacing expectations.
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon Reunite for The Rip
Director Joe Carnahan brings together Hollywood’s most famous friendship duo in The Rip, a gritty cop drama that somehow flew under most radars. When a Miami police Captain is murdered and $20 million surfaces in a derelict stash house, the Tactical Narcotics Team faces a crisis of trust.
The ensemble includes Steven Yeun from The Walking Dead and Teyana Taylor, delivering what critics call a taut thriller with an 83% RT score and a respectable 77% audience rating.
Corruption narratives work best when nobody seems trustworthy—a premise The Rip apparently exploits effectively.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Hits Theaters
The zombie franchise accelerates dramatically with its release schedule. After gaps of five years, then seventeen years, the series suddenly delivers two films within months of each other.
Ralph Fiennes leads The Bone Temple, which boasts an impressive 93% Rotten Tomatoes score—four points higher than its predecessor. The legendary actor joins Gary Oldman and Daniel Day-Lewis in the upper echelon of contemporary performers.
The rapid-fire release suggests confidence from the studio, banking on sustained audience interest rather than prolonged anticipation.
Southland’s Complete Series Arrives on Netflix
All five seasons of the underrated police drama Southland now stream on Netflix. Michael Cudlitz, Shawn Hatosy, Ben McKenzie, and Regina King anchor this “day in the life” approach to law enforcement storytelling.
Unlike The Wire’s institutional critique or The Shield’s moral descent narrative, Southland focuses on relationships and daily realities. The series eschews overarching season plots for episodic character development interspersed with intense action sequences.
For viewers who missed it during its original run, it represents quality television that prioritized authentic performances over sensationalism.
Weekly Streaming Highlights Worth Following
The Pitt continues its real-time medical drama format on HBO Max, with Noah Wyle returning as Dr. Robbie. Season 2 maintains the Friday release schedule, chronicling another intense shift at Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center.
Fallout Season 2 on Prime Video gives Kyle MacLachlan and Justin Theroux increased screen time while Lucy and The Ghoul face betrayal, Deathclaws, and the mysterious Mr. House in their New Vegas adventure.
The Night Manager Season 2 relocates to Colombia, with Tom Hiddleston delivering his characteristic excellence despite lacking John le Carré source material. The third episode apparently delivers a significant revelation.
Tehran Season 3 on Apple TV earns a perfect 100% RT score, following hacker Tamar Robinyan as she infiltrates Tehran under false identity, with Hugh Laurie portraying South African nuclear inspector Eric Peterson.
The Traitors Divides Opinion
Peacock’s The Traitors Season 4 continues attracting passionate advocates, though the reality format won’t convert skeptics. Guests at a Scottish castle attempt identifying who among them is “loyal” versus “traitor” through deduction and strategy.
Host Alan Cumming orchestrates the proceedings alongside contestants including Michael Rapaport. Starting mid-series might prove challenging for newcomers unfamiliar with established dynamics.
For younger audiences, Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 on Disney+ maintains momentum with its 100% RT score, benefiting from the increasingly rare achievement of annual season releases. The finale drops January 21st.