BBC audiences were profoundly moved by the latest Christmas special of the crime drama Beyond Paradise, with many taking to social media to declare they were left 'crying their eyes out'. The heartfelt episode, which aired on December 22, has sparked a debate about the BBC's festive scheduling, with numerous viewers suggesting it should have taken the place of the traditional Mrs Brown's Boys Christmas offering.
A Festive Case Tugs at Heartstrings
The Beyond Paradise Christmas special presented Detective Inspector Humphrey Goodman, played by Kris Marshall, with an intensely personal mystery. The plot centred on an elderly man living with dementia who arrives at the Shipton Abbott police station clutching a photograph of Humphrey. He believes Humphrey is his last hope to find his missing sister, Louise.
As Humphrey and his team—including Martha Lloyd (Sally Bretton), DS Esther Williams (Zahra Ahmadi), and PC Kelby Hartford (Dylan Llewellyn)—race to piece together the man's past, they juggle other bizarre festive crimes. These include a break-in at a local wine bar and a man who becomes trapped inside a snowman suit after a prank goes awry.
Viewers' Emotional Outpouring on Social Media
The episode's blend of mystery and poignant emotion resonated deeply with the audience. On X, formerly Twitter, viewers shared their raw reactions, praising the special's writing and performances.
One viewer wrote: 'What have you done to me, I am a 49 year old man and I'm crying my eyes out... that is how you do a Christmas Episode.' Another posted: 'Crying ugly tears at the #BeyondParadise Christmas special. So beautiful, poignant & emotional. I can’t handle it.'
The praise was coupled with criticism of the BBC's planned Christmas Day lineup. One comment read: 'Why didn’t the BBC schedule this for Christmas evening rather than Eastenders, Mrs Browns Boys and yet even more bloody celebrities in programmes?' Another supporter stated: 'Beyond Paradise doesn't get the credit it deserves. Brilliantly written, brilliantly cast, brilliantly acted.'
Contrast with the Broader BBC Christmas Schedule
The strong reaction to the Beyond Paradise special comes amid a broader, less enthusiastic response to the BBC's recently revealed 2025 Christmas TV schedule. The broadcaster's festive plans include two specials for Mrs Brown's Boys, a show that has been a Christmas staple since 2011, alongside episodes of The Night Manager, Death in Paradise, and Call The Midwife.
Online reaction to the full schedule has been lukewarm, with one person calling it a 'letdown' and another pleading, 'Please don't ruin Christmas with Mrs Browns Boys!' This context makes the passionate advocacy for the Beyond Paradise special to have a more prominent slot even more pointed.
Reflecting on his character's emotional journey in the special, actor Kris Marshall told the BBC: 'It’s such a personal story for Humphrey... it soon becomes a deeply touching story. It’s a very Christmassy story that warms the cockles.' The series, a spin-off from the popular Death in Paradise, first premiered in February 2023 and has now aired 20 episodes across three seasons, including a Christmas special each year.
