As the festive season approaches, British viewers are preparing for the annual tradition of cosying up in front of the television with a selection box. This Christmas boasts an exceptional lineup of specials across all major channels, offering everything from returning favourites to exciting new productions.
Comedy and Entertainment Highlights
Amandaland on BBC One brings fantastic news for Absolutely Fabulous enthusiasts. Jennifer Saunders joins Joanna Lumley in this festive special, playing Aunt Joan. The story follows Amanda, portrayed by Lucy Punch, as she attempts to recreate magical childhood Christmases at her aunt's country house, with complications arising from unexpected guests and a potential family secret.
Channel 4 delivers a treat for comedy fans with The Great Peep Show Christmas Bake Off. For the first time since the series concluded in 2015, the original cast including David Mitchell and Olivia Colman reunite. They'll be trading their urban woes for baking aprons in a series of festive challenges inspired by the beloved show.
Sky presents Tinsel Town, featuring Kiefer Sutherland as a self-absorbed Hollywood action star who unexpectedly finds himself performing in a British pantomime. The cast includes Rebel Wilson, Derek Jacobi, and Katherine Ryan in what promises to be a hilarious take on cultural differences and theatrical traditions.
Drama and Documentaries
Call The Midwife returns to BBC One with not one, but two Christmas specials. The first sees Fred and Violet travelling to Hong Kong, where they discover the branch house in Kowloon has collapsed. This triggers a rescue mission from Nonnatus House, with Sisters Julienne and Hilda facing unexpected challenges including confrontations with local gangsters.
Environmentalist Steve Backshall embarks on a remarkable journey in ITV's Royal Arctic Adventure. He retraces the steps of a young Prince Charles from his 1975 expedition, speaking with His Majesty The King about climate change impacts while searching for polar bears and exploring Arctic communities.
Sir David Attenborough turns his attention closer to home in Wild London on BBC One. The documentary reveals surprising wildlife behaviour across the capital, from deer invading gardens to peregrine falcons nesting at the Houses of Parliament, showcasing nature's resilience in urban environments.
Family Festive Fare
Strictly Come Dancing presents a particularly significant Christmas special this year, marking the final hosting appearance of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman together after more than a decade. The festive edition features celebrities including All Saints' Mel Blatt and trained dancer Scarlett Moffatt from Gogglebox.
Channel 4 offers heart-warming family entertainment with Dear Father Christmas, starring Stephen Fry and Lenny Rush. The film follows a sixteen-year-old boy who still believes in Santa and enlists his cousin to prove Father Christmas exists, despite his father's scepticism.
For younger viewers, BBC One adapts Julia Donaldson's The Scarecrow's Wedding, featuring the love story between Betty O'Barley and Harry O'Hay. When smooth-talking Reginald Rake interferes with their wedding plans, Harry must race against time to save the day in this tale about the importance of being together.
Netflix brings Rowan Atkinson back to comedy in Man Vs Baby, a four-part series where he plays a school caretaker unexpectedly tasked with babysitting a child who played baby Jesus in the nativity play, leading to chaotic festive adventures.
Other notable mentions include The Great British Sewing Bee: Celebrity Special with new host Sophie Willan, a ghost story adaptation by Mark Gatiss featuring Joanna Lumley, the latest All Creatures Great and Small Christmas special, and Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse's Gone Christmas Fishing with special guest Dawn French.
With such a diverse and exciting lineup, British viewers are guaranteed plenty of entertainment options throughout the festive period, ensuring there's something for everyone to enjoy during the Christmas holidays.
