Thinkbox
In an increasingly uncertain world it is good to know that some traditions will always remain the same.
And for many of us at Christmas that will be the opportunity to eat, drink and be merry. And watch lots of telly.
Because there is a feast of top TV on offer over the holiday period, and because there is so much to choose from we have handpicked 15 of the many delights on offer.
The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland - Sky Cinema, Now (13 December)
Emilia Clarke, Gerard Butler and Simone Ashely star in this Sky Original Film adaptation of Carys Bexington’s bestselling book.
The sparkling animated musical film is a fabulously festive fairytale mash-up of Alice in Wonderland and ’Twas the Night Before Christmas.
With original music and songs by long-time Robbie Williams collaborator Guy Chambers and Grammy Award winning songwriter Amy Wadge, it’s a delight for eyes and ears.
Good Ship Murder Christmas Special - Channel 5 (18 December)
If it’s outrageous escapism you’re after then look no further than Channel 5’s Good Ship Murder starring Shayne Ward as detective turned cruise ship singer, Jack Grayling.
The show’s first festive special sees the MSC Virtuosa docked in Dubrovnik, where the on-board Santa (not the real one) falls ill. And that, it turns out, is only the beginning of their problems.
Grayling’s old calling is naturally never far behind, joined by first officer Kate Woods (Catherine Tyldesley) and new head of security Frankie Johnson (Kiza Deen). The Good Ship Murder sets sail for a new series next year and a third already commissioned.
The Chelsea Detective: Everyone Loves Chloe - U&Drama (19 December)
Adrian Scarborough returns as DI Max Arnold alongside Vanessa Emme as DS Layla Walsh in a feature length Christmas special and third series opener.
The pair are investigating the case of former pop star and one-time tabloid darling, Chloe Carmichael, found dead in her Chelsea mansion flat just before Christmas.
Potential suspects including Chloe’s hard-bitten manager, a conniving journalist and a Conservative MP, each of whom has a secret connecting them to the murdered star. But whodunit? It’s up to the Chelsea Detective to find out.
Miracles - Sky Max, Now (19 December)
Steven Frayne, the magician formerly known as Dynamo, storms back onto our screens with a show that promises a death-defying finale that will be ‘the miracle to end all miracles’. So, no pressure then.
The 90-minute special sees Frayne, fresh from killing off his alter ego in Dynamo is Dead last year, return to his roots on a journey around the country.
Wowing huge crowds with his incredible street magic, the one-man marvel will also unearth everyday heroes in a show big on inspiration and pure wonder. You’ll believe in miracles.
Sister Boniface Mysteries - U&Drama (20 December)
The nun who puts the fun into crime-busting, The Sister Boniface Mysteries returns for a simply divine Christmas special.
This time the holy super sleuth is called upon to investigate a string of murders among the cast of the amateur dramatics’ production of Cinderella. Will she crack the case? Oh, yes she will. On, no she won’t!
Lorna Watson returns in the title role alongside Max Brown as DI Sam Gillespie, Jerry Iwu as DS Felix Livingstone and Ami Metcalf as WPC Peggy Button, with a fourth series of Jude Tindall’s heavenly creation beginning next year.
Bad Tidings - Sky Max, Sky Showcase, Now (22 December)
The dream comedy team of Lee Mack and Chris McCausland pair up for some hilarious festive mayhem in Sky’s seasonal feature length special.
An odd couple treat for all ages, Lee plays a grumpy security expert infuriated by his blind neighbour (McCausland) and his fondness for keeping his Christmas lights on all year round.
After McCausland is put in charge of the neighbourhood watch scheme, a power cut leaves the entire street in darkness and it’s up to our dynamic (ish) duo to stop local crime family, The Brennans, from ruining everybody’s Christmas.
Bullseye - ITV (22 December)
Freddie Flintoff helms the return of the Sunday teatime favourite in a special festive edition of Bullseye.
Viewers of a certain age will need no introduction to the show made famous by presenter Jim Bowen which ended its original run nearly 30 years ago.
With catchphrases galore, its winning combination of ‘throwers’ and ‘knowers’ and of course Bully’s Special Prize, it promises to be a nostalgic treat brought bang up to date. Nothing in this game for two in a bed!
All Creatures Great and Small Christmas Special - Channel 5 (23 December)
The much-acclaimed adaptation of the James Herriot classic returns for a Christmas special, All God’s Creatures, and a keenly anticipated sixth series next year.
The very definition of comfort TV, we return to Skeldale House as they prepare for Christmas - and Jimmy’s first birthday - without the usual treats available.
A young boy arrives at the surgery with an abandoned fox cub while Siegfried steps in after Tristan is given an important Royal Army Veterinary Corps involving pigeons. When it doesn’t go entirely to plan, it’s presumably not just the pigeons trying to get home as quickly as possible.
The Great Christmas/New Year Bake Off - Channel 4 (Christmas Eve/3 January)
There’s a traditional double helping of Bake Off over the festive period, the first on Christmas Eve and the second impeccably timed to raise our spirits as many of us gear up to go back to work, on 3 January.
The Christmas special celebrates the great British soap opera with stars including Emmerdale and Hollyoaks star Sheree Murphy, Coronation Street’s Shobna Gulati and EastEnders’ Natalie Cassidy and Dean Gaffney taking to the tent.
And the New Year serving will celebrate Hogmanay with a bevy of Scottish bakers from across the years tackling - what else - a trio of Scottish themed challenges. All that plus Paul Hollywood in a kilt. But will we get a Holyrood Handshake (see what we did there?)
Madame Blanc Mysteries - Channel 5 (Christmas Eve)
It’s Christmas Eve in Saint Victoire but will it be a case of peace on earth and goodwill to all? Of course it won’t, and thank goodness for that.
Series creator Sally Lindsay returns as antiques dealer turned supersleuth Jean White in the midst of a blossoming romance with sidekick, Dom Hayes (Steve Edge).
With a fourth series to look forward to next year, this one-off special sees the return of series co-writer Sue Vincent and regulars Robin Askwith, Sue Holderness and Alex Gaumond.
The Piano at Christmas - Channel 4 (Christmas Day)
The Piano always hit the right notes and there might not be a more uplifting or heartwarming watch than this very special festive edition.
Channel 4’s much-loved series celebrates Christmas at the magnificently renovated Battersea Power Station on the south bank of the River Thames.
Joining Claudia Winkleman will be some of the standout stars of the Bafta-nominated second series, including a ‘show-stopping performance’ by Brad Kella and a Beatles duet by Mika and Lang Lang. We love them, yeah, yeah, yeah.
The Masked Singer - ITV (Boxing Day)
In the five years since its jaw-dropping debut, The Masked Singer has become nothing short of an ITV entertainment institution, winner of Bafta, International Emmy and Royal Television Society Awards.
Four more celebrities will don elaborate disguises in an attempt to fool the resident singing detectives, Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall and Mo Gilligan, joined for the new series by broadcaster and entrepreneur Maya Jama.
Joel Dommet returns as our estimable MC for proceedings on the Boxing Day special ahead of a brand new series in the new year.
Taskmaster’s New Year’s Treat - Channel 4 (29 December)
It’s been another winning year for all things TaskMaster, with two more series on Channel 4 and the launch of its junior spin-off version.
So what better way to end the year than with Alex Horne and Greg Davies presiding over another New Year special, which have become firmly entrenched in C4’s festive schedule.
And what a line-up they have for this year’s show - actress Sue Johnson, former England goalkeeper David James, All Saint Melanie Platt, all-round big brain Professor Hannah Fry and the Money Saving Expert himself, Martin Lewis. Let the fun and nonsense begin!
Archie - ITV (29 December)
Jason Isaacs’ transformation into Archibald Leach - AKA Cary Grant - in this examination of one of Hollywood’s most fascinating leading men is quite something to behold.
Written and executive produced by multi-award winning Jeff Pope, the four-part biopic traces how Leach, born into poverty in Bristol, travelled to the US and became a Hollywood legend.
Previously debuting on ITVX, Archie is a much-acclaimed attempt to unravel the public and private personas of the legendary actor with a career defining performance by Isaacs in an all-star cast featuring Laura Aikman, Harriet Walter and Kara Tointon.
Vera - ITV (New Year’s Day)
The return of ITV’s much-loved crime drama Vera is the very definition of a bittersweet affair. Because the 14th series of the acclaimed Brenda Blethyn whodunit will also see DI Vera Stanhope hang up her trench coat for the very last time.
A host of guest stars including Shobna Gulati, Kevin Whately and Cathy Tyson appear in the two feature length episodes, combining ‘gripping murder mysteries with the heartfelt narrative of Vera’s personal journey’.
With a behind the scenes special, Vera... Farewell Pet, to mark the end of the series, it promises to be a fitting farewell for Blethyn and the character she first brought to life in 2011.
