December 16
Gangsta Granny Strikes Again
The grandma we’d all love to have is back in this adaption of David Walliams’ book. Ben is getting used to life without his granny, but when priceless artifacts start to go missing, stolen by somebody pretending to be the Black Cat, he must unravel who’s really behind the thefts.
BBC One and iPlayer
December 18
His Dark Materials season 3
The epic adventure based on Philip Pullman’s best-selling books draws to a close. We find Lyra in captivity and Will on the hunt for his friend – oh and her dad trying to start a war with God.
BBC One and iPlayer
December 19
1923
Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren? In a Western? Together? Yee-haw, sign us up. The pair front this new Paramount+ show, a prequel of sorts to the successful US show Yellowstone, set in present day Montana and starring Kevin Costner. Ford and Mirren play the heads of the Dutton family as they enter a new era in what was Wild West.
Paramount +
December 20
I Hate Suzie Too
Suzie Pickles (Billie Piper) set the internet ablaze in the celebrated first season of I Hate Suzie, and now she’s back – divorced and trying to resurrect her career by dancing for likes on reality TV show Dance Crazee. Naturally, it’s not as easy as she hopes.
Sky Atlantic/NOW
December 20
Royal Variety Performance
This much-loved annual event heads back to the Royal Albert Hall for another showbiz spectacular. On this year’s line-up are Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Gary Barlow (accompanied by Gareth Malone’s choir), George Ezra, Sam Ryder and pop star Becky Hill.
ITV1
December 21
Emily in Paris series 3
US expat Emily is back in Paris (again) for her third series. This time around, she’s struggling to make important decisions: between the two hunky men fighting for her affection (Alfie and Gabriel) and the two French women fighting to employ her (Sylvie and Madeline). What’s a girl to do?
Netflix
Jack Ryan series
John Krasinski is back in unlikely action hero guise in the third series of the Jack Ryan series. After some close shaves at the end of season two, this CIA-agent-gone-rogue has his sights set on avoiding a nuclear strike – and perhaps even avoiding a World War Three.
Prime Video
December 22
Riches
This glossy family drama, billed as a British answer to Succession, is created by Abby Ajay (Inventing Anna; How to Get Away With Murder). It follows the fallout after the patriarch of a multi-million pound cosmetics empire dies, and leaves his entire business to his estranged children from his first marriage, much to his new family’s disgust.
ITV X
Vardy V Rooney: A Courtroom Drama
The Wagatha Christie saga has already been turned into a play – now watch it on telly. Michael Sheen takes the role of Coleen Rooney’s barrister David Sherborne in this dramatic recreation of the court case that gripped the nation this summer.
Channel 4
Inside No.9: The Bones of St. Nicholas
The dark comedy returns for only its second Christmas special and it promises distinctly unseasonal Hallowe’en vibes. In this one, Simon Callow and Shobna Gulati guest star as campers who visit a haunted church for a Christmas Eve trip.
BBC Two and iPlayer
December 23
Motherland: Last Christmas
Motherland’s searing examination of the trials and tribulations of middle-class parenthood is back for a special Christmas edition with its original, brilliant cast. Sure to be a hoot.
BBC One and iPlayer
A Ghost Story for Christmas: Count Magnus
Mark Gatiss is again indulging his passion for ghost stories by adapting a creepy tale from one of the masters of the form: MR James. An inquisitive Brit, Mr Wraxhall, becomes obsessed with Count Magnus, a mysterious, long-dead aristocrat.
BBC Two and iPlayer
December 24
Carols from King’s Christmas Eve
One for the traditionalists, this. Curl up by the fireside and let the angelic choristers of King’s College, Cambridge serenade you with some of the best Christmas carols in the songbook. Guaranteed to get you in the festive spirit.
BBC Two and iPlayer
Royal Carols: Together at Christmas
More carols! The Royal Christmas Carol service at Westminster Abbey will include a new fan favourites this year: O Come All Ye Faithful, which the Princess of Wales added to the line-up after a public vote. She’ll be attending, as will Prince William which will be broadcast live.
ITV1
The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse
Charlie Mackesy’s beautifully drawn book was a smash hit when it was first published, and now the first-ever TV adaptation is making its way onto the screen. Featuring equally beautiful animation, it follows the titular Boy, Mole, Fox and Horse as they search for the Boy’s home.
BBC One and iPlayer
All Creatures Great and Small Christmas Special
Christmas in Darrowby means making the most of things in a world at war. Pumphrey Manor welcomes a kitten; Siegfried is in danger of compromising himself and Mrs Hall tries to work up the courage to tell Gerald how she really feels about him.
Channel 5
The Madame Blanc Mysteries Christmas Special
Head back to the beautiful town of Sainte Victoire to indulge in some French festive troubles. Jean wants nothing more than to kick back over Christmas, but naturally when chief of police Andre Caron’s wife is brutally murdered and suspicion falls on him, Jean must set forth to clear his name.
Channel 5
Christmas Carole
Suranne Jones stars as Carole, a modern-day Scrooge. In this version, she’s a businesswoman who has no time for Christmas or pesky feelings, until three familiar spirits show up to change her mind.
Sky Max/NOW
Bad Education: Reunion
The notorious class of misfits is back for a 10th-anniversary special. Jack Whitehall returns as teacher Alfie Wickers as his students come back to Abbey Grove for careers day. It’ll be followed by a brand-new Bad Education series, so stay tuned for that too.
BBC Three and iPlayer
December 25
The Witcher: Blood Origin
Forget Geralt of Rivia: this Netflix mini-series takes us back more than 1,000 years to a world of warring elves and dwarves, where the Conjunction of the Spheres is drawing ever closer to bringing monsters into the world – and where a group of warriors must band together to create the first-ever Witcher. The cast includes Michelle Yeoh and Lenny Henry.
Netflix
Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker
Calling all ballet fans: the 30th anniversary staging of Matthew Bourne’s iconic Nutcracker is due to be broadcast on the BBC. Filmed in Sadler’s Wells in January 2022, the show features Cordelia Braithwaite as Clara and Harrison Dowzell as the Nutcracker.
BBC Two and iPlayer
The Smeds and the Smoos
The latest Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler adaptation is Romeo and Juliet-esque: the red Smeds and blue Smoos must learn to work together to track down Janet and Bill, two young’uns who have eloped together. Let’s just hope the ending is a little happier than the original star-crossed lovers...
BBC One and iPlayer
A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story
Gatiss is in the actor’s seat this time as his stage adaptation of A Christmas Carol – he’s back on the ghosts again – is aired in time for Christmas. He’s playing the role of Jacob Marley, opposite Nicholas Farrell’s Scrooge.
BBC Four and iPlayer
Call the Midwife Christmas Special
The midwives of Nonnatus House are back, again, in this special which sees the return of Trixie to the fold. While plot details have been kept under wraps, Stephen McGann, who plays Dr Turner, has teased the return of some old faces to the show.
BBC One and iPlayer
Ghosts Christmas Special
They’re back for more! Head back to Button Hall for Christmas and catch up with Mike and Alison Cooper and their cadre of undead friends. This year, the ghosts want to give Alison a Christmas present of her own – but how?
BBC One and iPlayer
Doc Martin Christmas Special
It’s not over until the Christmas special. Martin Clunes’ Doc Martin is back one last time to administer care to the inhabitants of Portwen. However, what might prove more challenging is trying to enjoy the festive season with his growing family.
ITV 1
December 26
Treason
Daredevil’s Charlie Cox and Olga Kurylenko lead this tense thriller. Cox is Adam Lawrence, the deputy head of M15 who suddenly finds himself in charge after a hit on his boss. But there’s a twist: his dream career is not what it seems, and he finds himself in the crosshairs of a conspiracy.
Netflix
Detectorists
This multi-award winning sitcom is back (after five years) for a one-off 75-minute special. Directed by and starring Mackenzie Crook opposite Toby Jones, we’re returning to the world of the Danebury Metal Detecting Club, as they hunt for historical treasures across North Essex.
BBC Two and iPlayer
December 27
Coppelia
A stunning combination of live action and animation with a superb cast including Michaela DePrince, Dame Darcey Bussell and Irek Mukhamedov, this reimagining of the classic ballet casts Dr. Coppelius (Vito Mazzeo) as a cosmetic surgeon, whose lure of superficial beauty poisons the town.
BBC Two and iPlayer
December 28
Without Sin
Line of Duty’s Vicky McClure stars in this psychological thriller about the relationship that develops between a grieving mother and the man she thinks killed her daughter.
ITV X
Mayflies
The BBC has adapted Andrew O’Hagan’s critically acclaimed novel into a TV two-parter. It tells the story of a group of Scottish boys coming of age in 1980s Britain – and what happens to them 20 years down the line.
BBC One and iPlayer
December 29
Marie Antoinette
This original series for Canal+ created and written by Deborah Davis (The Favourite) takes a fresh look at the ‘incredibly modern and avant-garde’ young queen who was barely 14 years old when she left Austria to marry the Dauphin of France.
BBC Two and iPlayer
December 30
Dynasties II (Macaque)
Attenborough continues his reign over the natural world in the latest edition of the Dynasties series. This episode investigates the lives of a reclusive family of macaque monkeys.
BBC One and iPlayer
December 31
Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends
Relive the magic of musical theatre legend Stephen Sondheim. This all-star West End concert celebrating his life boasts a great cast – including Michael Ball, Helena Bonham-Carter, Judi Dench and Damian Lewis - performing some of Sondheim’s best-loved work.
BBC Two and iPlayer
January 1
Happy Valley - season 3
The final series of BAFTA-winning show Happy Valley sees the return of Sarah Lancashire as Sergeant Catherine Cawood. She’s about to retire, but when she discovers a gangland murder victim’s body, the spectre of Tommy Lee Royce (played by James Norton) raises its head once more…
BBC One and iPlayer
January 2
Frozen Planet II: Worlds of Wonder
Come for David Attenborough’s soothing voice, stay for the gorgeous cinematography. For a one-off episode, we’re heading back to the Arctic and Antarctic to discover more about the creatures that live there.
