One of the best parts of the festive period is settling down in front of the television (preferably with a fire going, of course) to watch some of the best shows of the year.
And whether that’s the hotly-anticipated return of Doctor Who or a classic Agatha Christie adaptation, there’s plenty to pick from. Here’s our pick of the best TV to look out for, that’ll see even the most selective family member through from Christmas Eve to the New Year.
The Velveteen Rabbit
Clearly, Apple TV+ is trying to play the BBC at its own game when it comes to pumping out heartwarming animated fare – and there’s a lot to love about The Velveteen Rabbit. Based on the much-loved children's book, which tells the story of a toy rabbit who wants to become real. There’s an all-star cast, including Helena Bonham-Carter and Nicola Coughlan, there’s some heartwarming animation (miles away from the dreaded 2009 film) and a straightforward story. All in all, a very cute few hours of your time.
Out now, Apple TV+
Smothered
The sweetest of rom-coms. Danielle Vitalis and Jon Pointing are Sammy and Tom, two star-crossed souls who end up hooking up after a drunken karaoke night out. One things leads to another and things are getting serious, but then Sammy realises Tom has another woman in his life, his six-year-old daughter, Ellie. Will it all work out for the best? What do you think: sit back and soak in the vibes.
Out now, Sky
Vigil Season 2
The first series of Vigil debuted in 2021 – and haven’t we missed it. Now, Suranne Jones is back as Amy Silva, along with Rose Leslie’s Kirsten Longacre, to investigate yet more shady happenings. This time around, they’re tackling the secret world of drone warfare, plus digging into some mysterious deaths at a Scottish weapons test.
Out now, BBC One
The Crown Season 6, Part 2
The final chapter of Peter Morgan’s hit Netflix series The Crown is now out – after covering the death of Diana in part one, part two focuses on the younger generation of Harry (Luther Ford), William (Ed McVey) and Kate (Meg Bellamy) as they attempt to chart a new future for the Royal Family. Will the real ones be watching? Your guess is as good as ours…
Out now, Netflix
Reacher Season 2
Let the soothing sound of breaking bones ring in the festive season in the latest series of Prime Video’s Reacher. Alan Ritchson is back as the titular Reacher, the master of hunting people down and making them pay for their various misdeeds. When someone starts targeting the big fella's pals from his military police days, he vows to bring them down... with extreme prejudice.
Out now, Prime Video
Lot No. 249
Mark Gatiss returns once more to the world of Sherlock Holmes creator Arthur Conan Doyle’s, with the adaptation of his lesser-known (and Holmes-less) work Lot No. 249. The original story, published in 1892, bears the dubious distinction of introducing the world to the concept of the evil Egyptian mummy, which in this case is being reanimated by a petty student on the hunt for revenge. Maybe it should have come out around Hallowe’en, but we’re not complaining.
Christmas Eve, BBC 2
Doctor Who
After a year-long break, Doctor Who is back for three whole specials and a Christmas Day episode. Catch David Tennant and Catherine Tate reprising their roles as the Doctor and Donna on BBC iPlayer; then settle in and see Ncuti Gatwa take the reins in the much-anticipated festive special. With longtime Whovian Russell T Davies returning as showrunner, this will be a must-watch.
Christmas Day, BBC One; on BBC iPlayer
Ghosts Christmas Special
Bowing out with one final hurrah, this Christmas special of Ghosts is a treat to be savoured. Return to Button Hall and our eclectic cast of the spectres, as Alison and Mike attempt to deal with new changes, an insurance investigation for a claim they’ve put in on their destroyed guesthouse and demanding supernatural lodgers. It’s always a joy, but given that this is the last-ever episode, it’s going to be bittersweet.
Christmas Day, BBC One
Call the Midwife Christmas Special
What, it’s still going? Yes indeed: it’s 1969, and the midwives of Nonnatus House are back. Despite the rising popularity of hospital births, they’re still delivering their services to expectant mothers around Poplar, and with Christmas on the horizon, there are sure to be a few festive surprises.
Christmas Day, BBC One
Men Up
Potentially the most bonkers show of the lot: Men Up tells the story of five Welshmen who become some of the first in the world to trial a new drug called Viagra. Yes, it's based on a true story, which was inspired by the trials that took place in Swansea's Morriston Hospital in 1994 – and with Russell T Davies involved, it's sure to be good.
Out December 29, BBC One
The Castaways
Sisters, right? Can’t live with them, can’t live without them – or at least, that’s the premise of Paramount+’s latest thriller. It tells the story of sisters Lori (Sheridan Smith) and Erin (Céline Buckens), who embark on the trip of a lifetime to Fiji. Except, after a huge argument, Lori gets on the plane to their resort, and Erin doesn’t – only for the plane to never arrive at its destination. Now the race is on for Erin to find her sister, because as it turns out Lori is alive, and in a whole lot of danger.
Out December 26, Paramount+
Murder Is Easy
Is the festive season even complete without an Agatha Christie adaptation? This new two-parter from the BBC is that rare non-Poirot, non-Marple offering: instead, our hero is Fitzwilliam (David Jonsson), who meets Miss Pinkerton (Penelope Wilton) by chance on the train to London. She tells him that a killer is loose in the English village of Wychwood under Ashe, and when she’s later found dead, Fitzwilliam has to take matters into his own hands.
Out December 27, BBC One
The Tourist Season 2
Jamie Dornan’s amnesiac thriller series returns. Season one introduced us to The Man (Dornan), who finds himself on the run in the Australian outback with no idea who he is. Season two promises a change of tone: now, the newly-named Elliot is setting sail for Ireland along with constable Helen Chambers (Danielle MacDonald) to discover more about his roots. Oh, and there’s a long-standing family feud to contend with.
Out January 1, BBC One
Fool Me Once
Michelle Keegan leads this starry Netflix adaptation of the Harlan Coben thriller. She plays Maya, a single mother left in mourning after her husband Joe (Richard Armitage) was murdered. But what’s this? Suddenly, she catches Joe on video, paying a nighttime visit to their family house… the plot thickens. Also, Joanna Lumley stars as Joe’s brilliantly awful mother Judith: delicious.
Out January 1, Netflix
Mr Bates vs The Post Office
It’s not the most festive of stories, but it’s certainly gripping: this latest real-life drama from ITV tells the story of the Post Office scandal, where thousands of postmasters were wrongly convicted of fraud and sent to jail due to an error in the Royal Mail’s new IT system. Toby Jones plays Alan Bates, a campaigner who dedicated years of his life to clearing the names of those whose lives were ruined. It’s going to be emotional.
Out January 1, ITV
Truelove
This Channel 4 series tells the story of Phil (Lindsay Duncan) and Ken (Clarke Peters), who reunite after a funeral with some of their oldest friends. As the drink flows, they all make a pact: rather than let each other suffer a slow and horrible death, the others will step in and help make it quick and painless. Do things go as planned? Do they heck.
Out January 3, Channel 4
The Traitors
It's time, once again, to don the robes, practise the poker face and sharpen that knife ready for some serious backstabbing. The Traitors is heading back to the BBC after 12 agonising months off-air. Claudia Winkleman returns as host, the setting again the atmospheric Scottish castle: because what says Christmas more than watching people figure out the best ways to cheat each other?
