Margo Martindale Gets ‘Sticky, ‘Outlander’ in Mourning,’ Rudolph’s 60th, Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Nonsense Christmas,’ The Story of ‘Mary’

The Sticky

The sublime character actor Margo Martindale is most often the scene-stealing secret sauce that makes any project (even Cocaine Bear) more memorable. Winner of three Emmys for her supporting work on Justified and The Americans, she takes center stage in a rollicking caper reminiscent of Fargo, inspired by a real-life heist of maple syrup from Quebec’s warehoused reserves. She’s Ruth Landry, a foul-mouthed force of furious nature who takes on the corrupt Quebec Maple Association with an ad-hoc plan that keeps going awry. Her hapless partners in crime include a wannabe gangster from Boston (Chris Diamantopoulos) and a disgruntled security guard (the endearing Guillaume Cyr) who careen from one fine mess to another, with Jamie Lee Curtis (an executive producer) making a memorable cameo late in the chaotic game. All six episodes are available for a most enjoyable binge.

Outlander

Say it isn’t so. The historical time-tripping romance finds its heroine, Claire (Caitríona Balfe), reeling with operatic grief at tragic news, with Lord John Grey (David Berry) offering surprising methods of support to protect the wife of his dear friend Jamie (Sam Heughan). Back in modern times, her daughter Brianna (Sophie Skelton) is blindsided by a surprise visitor, while her husband Roger (Richard Rankin) continues his search for news about his lost father in 1739 Scotland. (On this show, asking what time it is can be a loaded question.)

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Cited as the longest-running holiday special in TV history, Rudolph marks its 60th anniversary by moving back to its original network, NBC, on the same date of its original premiere on the General Electric Fantasy Hour in 1964. (Since 1972, it has aired yearly on CBS.) Then and now, it’s easy to get swept up in the tale of the misfit reindeer with the glowing nose, who embarks on a quest with outcast elf Hermey, prospector Yukon Cornelius and others, with the Abominable Snow Monster always lurking. Burl Ives narrates as Sam the Snowman, singing the title song.

A Nonsense Christmas With Sabrina Carpenter

What would the holidays be without a contemporary twist on the classic music-variety special? Pop diva Sabrina Carpenter hosts a tuneful get-together with duets and comedy appearances by the likes of Chappell Roan, Shania Twain, Tyla, Abbott Elementary’s Quinta Brunson, Cara Delevingne, Hacks’ Megan Stalter and Sean Astin as Santa. Don’t expect a silent night.

Mary

A much more reverent approach to the “reason for the season” can be found in a lavish new biblical biopic of Mary (Noa Cohen), whose miracle conception of the prophesied Messiah causes her to be shunned and forced into hiding with Joseph (Ido Tako). Anthony Hopkins co-stars as King Herod, whose proclamation sends the couple on the run toward the most iconic nativity scene in world history.

Blue Bloods

It seems hard to believe that this is the penultimate episode of the long-running family police drama, with only next week’s series finale remaining. It’s not business as usual for commissioner Frank (Tom Selleck) when the governor visits with a proposal, and Eddie (Vanessa Ray) needs to tread lightly when she discovers that a squatter is Jamie’s (Will Estes) confidential informer.

INSIDE FRIDAY TV:

• Private Princess Christmas (8/7c, Hallmark Channel): Think Private Benjamin with a royal twist. Wingravia’s Princess Violet (Ali Skovbye) could use some disciplinary training, so the queen (Erica Durance) sends her to a Colorado boot camp, where she becomes the responsibility of Capt. Ryan Douglas (Derek Klena).
• S.W.A.T. (8/7c, CBS): While 20-Squad investigates a possible honor killing, Hondo (Shemar Moore) and Nichelle (Rochelle Aytes) experience domestic conflict while searching for daycare. Followed by Fire Country (9/8c), where a false alarm turns into a hostage crisis.
• Happy’s Place (9:15/8:15c, NBC): Things aren’t so happy at the tavern when they learn their health insurance could be canceled, but bartender Gabby (Melissa Peterman) has a plan. Followed by Lopez vs. Lopez (9:45/8:45c), with George (George Lopez) determined to settle his childhood feud with Santa once and for all.
• The Graham Norton Show (11/10c, BBC America): Who’s got the best guest list in late night? The cheeky British host welcomes Cher alongside Josh Brolin, Black Doves star Keira Knightley and The Agency’s Michael Fassbender.

ON THE STREAM:

• The Agency (streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime): CIA spook Martian (Michael Fassbender) is getting it from all sides. His handler (Jeffrey Wright) is furious that he slipped his surveillance, using his old identity. His daughter (India Fowler) is demanding answers. And his lover Sami (Jodie Turner-Smith) is as enigmatic as ever.
• Paris Has Fallen (streaming on Hulu): More spy shenanigans in an eight-part action thriller, adapted from the Has Fallen movie franchise, with a French Foreign Legion officer and an MI6 agent battling terrorists who are up to no good in the City of Lights. Let’s hope they leave the newly reopened Notre Dame cathedral alone.
• The Honey Trap: A True Story of Love, Lies and the FBI (streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime): A documentary explores the relationship between a Berlin rapper turned ISIS recruiter and the FBI translator who was assigned to monitor him but grew too close. Airs on Showtime at 10/9c.
• Biggest Heist Ever (streaming on Netflix): A true-crime documentary about the so-called “Bitcoin Bonnie and Clyde” examines how a female rapper and a hacker pulled off an outrageous crypto crime.
• At the Movies: Theatrical films making their streaming debuts include the hit sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice on Max (premiering Saturday on HBO), the Scarlett Johansson–Channing Tatum romantic comedy Fly Me to the Moon on Apple TV+, the thriller Speak No Evil on Peacock and the offbeat Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point on AMC+.