Richard Curtis is the Oscar-nominated screenwriter of some of the most iconic films including Love Actually, Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill. And in December 2023 he gave us a new Sky Original movie just in time for Christmas. Starring Oscar nominee Melissa McCarthy and Emmy nominee Paapa Essiedu (who can also be seen in Sky’s The Lazarus Project), this film takes us on a journey where we will discover that love and unexpected friendships can unleash a special holiday magic of their own.

The official synopsis from Sky reads:

“Some friendships are worth more than you could ever wish for.

This Christmas, from Richard Curtis, the Oscar®-nominated screenwriter of Love Actually, Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill, comes a holiday fairytale comedy about a genie, a man, and landing one last chance to fix the mess you’ve made of your life.

Oscar® nominee Melissa McCarthy stars as Flora, a genie trapped for more than 2,000 years inside an antique jewellery box because of one teeny-tiny little misunderstanding with a sorcerer back in 77 B.C.

After millennia of being summoned to grant wishes of gold doubloons and hot babes for greedy men, Flora is accidentally called to service by Bernard Bottle (Emmy nominee Paapa Kwakye Essiedu; I May Destroy You), whose life is unravelling around him.

Bernard’s been so busy working that he has lost sight of his marriage to his wife Julie (Tony nominee Denée Benton; The Gilded Age) and the childhood of his young daughter, Eve (Jordyn Mcintosh; Emancipation). When Bernard misses Eve’s birthday 12 days before Christmas because of work, Julie decides it’s time for a trial separation. And then Bernard’s tyrannical boss (Tony winner Alan Cumming; The Good Wife) fires him.

Alone in his New York City apartment, a despondent Bernard dusts off a jewellery box he finds in their home and unintentionally releases the one entity who just might be able to help him get his family back. Maybe. Possibly. It’s a longshot, frankly. But in the process, Flora and Bernard will discover that love, and an unexpected friendship, can unleash a special holiday magic all its own.”