As the BBC reveals its unmissable Christmas lineup, this is a look at all the magical treats across the TV schedules this year
00:01, 26 Nov 2024Updated 14:52, 26 Nov 2024
‘Tis the season for festive telly, with plenty lined up to entertain us, from specials and thrilling dramas to hilarious comedy and seasonal documentaries.
The BBC has today revealed its unmissable Christmas lineup, including the return of some of the nation’s favourite characters, including Gavin & Stacey in their last ever episode, an Outnumbered reunion and Wallace & Gromit in a new feature-length film.
Across all the channels, expect festive specials of all our favourite shows, like Doctor Who, Strictly, Call The Midwife and The Masked Singer, as well as brand new dramas including Playing Nice with James Norton and Out There with Martin Clunes, plus An Evening With Dua Lipa, Sky comedy Bad Tidings and a new series of hit Netflix show Squid Game. Watch out also for a Christmassy film about Wham! and brand new Julia Donaldson animation Tiddler. Feast your eyes on the best of this magical holiday mix…
Gavin & Stacey: The Finale, BBC One/iPlayer, Christmas Day
It’s been five years since we left Nessa (Ruth Jones) down on one knee declaring her love for Smithy (James Corden) and asking him to marry her. A lot has happened since.
The cast have now reunited for this last ever episode, so we can finally get some closure.
Watch out also for an uplifting documentary, telling the story of one of Britain’s best loved sitcoms as it comes to a - hopefully ‘tidy’ - end after 17 years.
Squid Game, Season 2, Netflix, Boxing Day
A terrifying trailer welcomes a brand new batch of competitors all hoping to win big money, even though their lives are in danger. One screams: “I have played these games before. We will all die if we keep playing.” So why return? Seems like some just want one more game. Expect more creepy dolls, more shooting, more tears and unbelievable tension.
Strike - The Ink Black Heart, BBC One/iPlayer, December 16, 17, 23, 24
Nothing like a murder mystery to enjoy alongside your festive joy. Tom Burke and Holiday Grainger return in this hit crime series, based on J.K. Rowling’s bestselling novels. It follows the intriguing case of a cartoon creator who is being persecuted by a mysterious online figure.
The Great Christmas Bake Off, C4, Christmas Eve
Hosted by Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond, judged by Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood, this tinsel-draped special features five soap stars, all hoping for baking glory.
EastEnders’ Dean Gaffney and Natalie Cassidy are joined by Emmerdale and Hollyoaks star Sheree Murphy, Corrie’s Shobna Gulati and Emmerdale’s Chris Bisson.
What Xmas TV are you most looking forward to? Vote in our poll HERE to have your say.
Mariah Meets Rylan, BBC Two, December 7
In a world exclusive, presenter Rylan sits down for a chat with the multi-platinum record selling music artist. Rylan will quiz Mariah on life, music, the jobs she had before she was famous, her celebrity friends and of course there will be mention of her festive hit All I Want For Christmas. Rylan also tests Mariah’s English accent with an ‘audition’ for EastEnders.
Out There, ITV1/X, December
This thrilling drama is about county lines drug dealing and an escalating, insidious crime wave sweeping the British countryside.
Martin Clunes plays a farmer confronted with these dark forces seeping into his rural community. This dark, compelling tale also stars Louis Ashbourne Serkis.
Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special, BBC1, Christmas Day
The glittering ballroom show is back with comedian Josh Widdicombe, Drag superstar Tayce, presenter and podcaster Vogue Williams, Gladiator Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, actress Tamzin Outhwaite and racing driver Billy Monger.
The Ballroom will once again be transformed into a magical winter wonderland as the celebs try to impress judges Craig Revel-Horwood, Anton du Beke, Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse.
Playing Nice, ITV1/X, December
A heart-stopping psychological thriller about two couples who discover that their babies were switched at birth. Confronted with big decisions, one couple realises that there’s more to the other family than meets the eye. There are excellent performances from James Norton, Niamh Algar, James McArdle and Jessica Brown Findlay.
The Masked Singer Christmas Special, ITV1, December
This sees four celebrities compete undercover - hidden in extreme and extraordinary, festive costumes - singing with their identities hidden. As each celebrity performs, the panel of detectives, Mo Gilligan, Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall and special guests, try to unwrap their festive faces and unlock TV’s best kept secret.
An Evening With Dua Lipa, ITV1, December
Recorded at London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall, global superstar Dua Lipa reimagined her hit pop songs especially for the occasion, accompanied by the 53-piece Heritage Orchestra, a 14-strong choir and her seven-piece band - and a surprise cameo from Elton John. This special is intercut with interviews as she reflects on the pivotal moments in her life and career.
Outnumbered Christmas Special, BBC One/iPlayer, December
The Brockmans are back - and it’s been a while. This special episode follows the chaos in the downsized home of Pete and Sue (Hugh Dennis and Claire Skinner) as they grapple with the challenges of parenting kids who are now adults, with their own lives to lead. Turns out, parenting doesn’t get any easier.
Tiddler, BBC1 and iPlayer, Christmas Day
Now a staple of the Christmas Day TV schedule, this is the latest magical animation, adapted from children’s book creators Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.
It’s about a little fish with a big imagination who gets lost in the ocean until he follows the trail of his own story to get home. It stars Hannah Waddingham as the narrator, alongside Lolly Adefope, Jayde Adams and Rob Brydon.
Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, BBC One/iPlayer, Christmas Day
Making their long-awaited return with a brand new feature-length adventure, Wallace and his best mate Gromit are faced with a crime wave of stolen garden goods.
Wallace and his pre-programmed smart gnome, Norbot, are the main suspects. It’s up to Gromit to battle sinister forces or Wallace may never invent again.
Call The Midwife Christmas Specials, BBC One/iPlayer, December
For the first time ever, the cosy period drama will deliver not one but two specials, complete with a Christmas cliffhanger. All the midwives are busy delivering babies at Nonnatus House in 1969 when the funfair arrives in Poplar, bringing two unwelcome visitors - influenza and the Hong Kong flu. There’s also an escaped prisoner on the loose.
Doctor Who: Joy To The World, BBC One/iPlayer, Christmas Day
Starring Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor and Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan as Joy, this is a festive time-hopping trip through the history of the Earth. Plot details have been kept tightly under wraps, but showrunner Steven Moffat teased: “Imagine in the far, far future that a hotel chain got hold of the idea of time travel. What would they do? They'd realise they had an opportunity to sell all the unsold nights in their own hotels in history.”
WHAM!: Last Christmas Unwrapped, BBC Two/iPlayer, December
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the all-time great festive song, Last Christmas, this is an hour-long celebration of how George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley turned the hit into a cultural phenomenon. A nostalgic film, with interviews from industry experts, artists and music producers, it’s a compelling tale of the song’s enduring appeal.
That Christmas, Netflix, December 4
From Richard Curtis, the genius behind Love Actually, this animated fantasy comedy film features the voices of Brian Cox, Fiona Shaw, Jodie Whittaker and Bill Nighy.
It follows a series of entwined tales about love and loneliness, family and friends, a snowstorm and Santa making a big mistake. There are also turkeys - many, many turkeys.
Gladiators Celebrity Special, BBC One/iPlayer, December
Four famous faces nervously lace up their trainers as they compete in one of the toughest game shows on Earth. How will Rob Beckett, Louise Minchin, Joel Dommet and Ellie Taylor fare… Celebrities ready?
Rob says: “I can’t wait to be absolutely crushed by the Gladiators in front of my wife and children in spandex whilst I watch Joel Dommett and his six-pack sprint past me on the travelator.”
The Split: Barcelona, BBC One/iPlayer, December
A two-part sun-soaked special of the hit legal drama, starring Nicola Walker, Stephen Mangan, Annabel Scholey, Fiona Button and Deborah Findlay. Two years on from the third and final series, formidable family lawyer Hannah (Walker) and her family have gathered in Spain for a destination wedding.
Death In Paradise Christmas Special, BBC One/iPlayer, December
For a glimpse of winter sun, look no further than this special, set in the sun-drenched Saint Marie in the Caribbean. Join the police team and a new Detective Inspector for a feature-length episode. Spin-off Beyond Paradise also returns for two festive cases to crack.
The Night Before Christmas In Wonderland, Sky Max/NOW, December 13
An A-list cast, including Gerard Butler, Emilia Clarke and Simone Ashley star in this animated musical feature film. It’s a mash-up of two classic tales - Alice In Wonderland and the poem ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas. St Nick receives a letter from the Princess Of Hearts, so sets off with his reindeer to Wonderland - where the Queen hates Christmas.
A Ghost Story For Christmas: Woman Of Stone, BBC Two/iPlayer, December
Mark Gatiss adapts and directs this ghostly tale about newlywed Victorians Jack and Laura (played by Éanna Hardwicke and Phoebe Horn). As they settle into a small cottage, they are given superstitious warnings from their housekeeper, regaling the legend of the two marble tomb effigies who are said to rise one night each year.
Bad Tidings, Sky Max/NOW, December
Written by Chris McCausland, he plays Scott, who is at war with his neighbour Neil (played by Lee Mack). But in order to save Christmas, the sworn enemies have to team up to become local heroes. The odd couple take on a local crime family to win the day.
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