New year, new binge—what to stream this January

2025 is finally here and it’s here with a bang with a lot of new shows to watch—starting January! We’ve picked a list of shows across different genres that are sure to make your binge-watching sessions a whole lot of fun. From the likes of The Night Agent, The Recruit, Severance, and Paatal Lok, there are upcoming seasons of shows that have had audiences gripped right from the first season to new offerings such as Black Warrant and The Roshans, this January’s got something for everyone. 

When the Stars Gossip 

Set against the stunning backdrop of outer space, this series explores themes of love, trust, and human connection in a world where every resource is scarce and emotions run deep. The show follows a space tourist and a moralistic OB-GYN who arrives at a zero-gravity space station on a mission. There, they cross paths with a perfectionist Korean-American astronaut on her first mission as commander. Initially clashing, they eventually develop a deep connection as they pursue their respective goals. Starring Lee Min-ho, Gong Hyo-jin, Kong Hyo-jin, and Oh Jung-se, When the Stars Gossip tells the story of an astronaut and a space tourist drawn together in the vastness of space, as they fall in love despite their very different worlds and missions.

Release date: January 4 on Netflix

Black Warrant

Zahan Kapoor, grandson of late cinema legend Shashi Kapoor, makes his series debut in a prison drama inspired by true events, based on the book Black Warrant: Confessions of a Tihar Jailer by Sunil Gupta and Sunetra Choudhury. In this series made by Vikramaditya Motwane—who worked on Sacred Games, Control, and the likes, Kapoor stars as Sunil, a newly appointed jailer, navigating a challenging prison system filled with moral dilemmas and power struggles. The series explores the harsh and unfiltered reality of life behind bars. Joining Kapoor are Rahul Bhat, Paramvir Singh Cheema, Anurag Thakur, and Sidhant Gupta in major roles.

Release date: January 10 on Netflix

XO, Kitty: Season 2

Kitty returns to the Korean Independent School of Seoul (KISS) for a new semester, determined to leave behind the drama from her breakup with Dae and her complicated feelings for Yuri. However, a mysterious letter from her late mother sends her on an unexpected journey in Seoul. Anna Cathcart reprises her role as Kitty, as do Anthony Keyvan as Q, and Regan Aliyah as Juliana, along with Minyeong Choi, Gia Kim, and Sang Heon Lee. As Kitty starts her second semester at KISS, newly-single for the first time in a while, she hopes for a fresh start—focused on casual dating and no more emotional turmoil. But new faces and hidden secrets disrupt her plans, leading Kitty to discover that love, family, and life are far more complicated than she expected.

Release date: January 16 on Netflix

Severance: Season 2

Created by Dan Erickson and produced by Ben Stiller, the first season of Severance ended on a gripping cliffhanger, setting up the storyline for season 2. The show introduces a dystopian world where Lumon Corporation uses a technology called "Severance" to divide employees' memories and personalities into two distinct parts: an "innie" for work and an "outie" for life outside of work, with no access to each other’s experiences.

Frustrated with their oppressive workplace and mysterious duties, the "Innies" band together and revolt. Dylan (Zach Cherry) discovers a way for his coworkers to temporarily switch consciousness with their "Outies" and experience life outside. Irving (John Turturro) learns that his Innie love interest, Burt (Christopher Walken), has an outside partner. Helly (Britt Lower) is shocked to find she’s the heir to the company. Meanwhile, Mark (Adam Scott) discovers his Outie’s dead wife is somehow alive.

The main cast from Season 1 will return, including Adam Scott, Britt Lower, Zach Cherry, John Turturro, and Patricia Arquette. Season 2 will also feature new cast members like Gwendoline Christie, John Noble, Alia Shawkat, and Merritt Wever.

Release date: January 17 on Apple TV Plus

The Night Agent: Season 2

In the new season, Peter Sutherland, now a seasoned FBI agent, is on a mission to expose a mole within the CIA. This mole is leaking sensitive US intelligence and aiding a dangerous group assembling a bomb powerful enough to devastate Manhattan. With countless lives at risk, Sutherland must act fast, navigating a world of deception, betrayal, and danger.

Following the intense events of Season 1, the new episodes continue Peter’s story. His mission to protect the President was successful, and now he’s been given the chance to join the secretive Night Action organization. Season 2 will thrust Peter into a dangerous world where trust is scarce and danger lurks around every corner. 

Release date: January 23 on Netflix

The Recruit: Season 2 

Owen Hendricks (Noah Centineo), a young and inexperienced CIA lawyer, faces another high-stakes, dangerous mission—this time in South Korea. Last season, he witnessed a former asset get shot by her own daughter. Now, Owen must act quickly to survive as a new threat emerges, possibly from within the CIA itself. He teams up with Korean intelligence agent Jang Kyun (Teo Yoo) to investigate, but danger lurks at every turn. The crime series follows Owen’s journey as he’s thrust into the world of espionage, facing challenges far beyond his expertise. Joining Centineo are Laura Haddock, Aarti Mann, Colton Dunn, and Fivel Stewart.

Release date: January 30 on Netflix

The Roshans

Netflix is bringing the captivating story of the iconic Roshan family, a cornerstone of the Indian film industry, to audiences around the world through an exclusive docu-series. Viewers will get an inside look at the multi-generational legacy of the Roshans, exploring their rich history through songs, stories, and unforgettable moments. For the first time, the Roshans take us on an intimate journey, showcasing three generations of passion, dedication, and remarkable contributions to Hindi cinema.

At the heart of this legacy is the late Roshan Lal Nagrath, known as Roshan Saab, whose visionary work laid the foundation for the family’s artistic dynasty. His influence continues to echo through his own creations and in the achievements of his descendants—Rakesh Roshan, Rajesh Roshan, and Hrithik Roshan—who have each made their mark as directors, musicians, creators, and actors, shaping the landscape of Indian entertainment.

Release date: January 17 on Netflix

Paatal Lok: Season 2 

Prime Video has announced the premiere date for the highly anticipated second season of the critically acclaimed series, Paatal Lok. Season one captivated audiences with its gripping narrative, delving deep into the darker side of Indian society. In Season 2, the talented cast returns, including Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, and Gul Panag, while new additions like Tillotama Shome, Nagesh Kukunoor, and Jahnu Barua join them in key roles. With stakes rising and tensions escalating, this season promises to take the drama to new, intense heights, drawing viewers into an even more dangerous and immersive world. The iconic character of ‘Hathi Ram Chaudhary’ and his team face uncharted waters, plunging them into a treacherous new reality that will test them like never before.

Release date: January 17 on Amazon Prime Video

Lead image: Netflix

Also read: New OTT releases to stream this November

Also read: The freshest OTT releases to stream this December