What's on TV Christmas 2017
Little Women, Doctor Who, Victoria Christmas special... there's so much TV to look forward to this year
Doctor Who Christmas special, BBC One
Peter Capaldi says goodbye to the Tardis in what is sure to be an emotional finale for his Thirteenth Doctor before he regenerates as Jodie Whittaker. Join the Doctor this Christmas for his final travel with the screwdriver.
The Miniaturist, BBC One
The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton was one of the fastest-selling debut novels of recent years.
Set in late-17th century Amsterdam, this spooky period drama follows the story of a newly-wed country girl who arrives at the house of her rich merchant husband in the city’s wealthiest quarter and discovers life isn't what she expected...
Starring Romola Garai The Miniaturist is likely to be one of the most talked about TV shows of the season.
Read more ...The Highway Rat, BBC
Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's 2011 children's book The Highway Rat is being adapted into a swashbuckling half hour animated show this Christmas, starring the voices of David Tennant as the Highway Rat, and Rob Brydon.
Read more ...McMafia, BBC One
'I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth. Educated at a private school in England. I run my own firm in the city. I'm very happy with my life the way it is...'
Heartthrob James Norton returns to our screens this Christmas in an eight-part, high-stakes gangster drama McMafia, an adaptation based of Misha Glenny's bestselling novel about organised Russian crime.
The Crown season two, Netflix
The Crown season one was the most expensive TV series ever made. It was a run-away success for the streaming network Netflix which spent £100 million on the drama chronicling the early lives of the Royal Family.
This December it's back with season two, set in the 60s and tackling the issue of Prince Philip's rumoured infidelities.
Read more ...Victoria ITV Christmas edition, ITV
Novelist and screenwriter Daisy Goodwin has promised that this will be the most Christmassy Christmas ever for Queen Victoria, the woman whose family basically invented the season's celebrations as we know them.
Expect the usual political, social and personal dramas shrouded in a gentle veil of snow. We can't wait!
Read more ...Little Women, BBC One
The March sisters are coming to the small screen, as Little Women gets a glittering make over in time for Christmas this year, in a lavish new BBC One adaptation.
The 1868 story written by Louis May Alcott follows four sisters, Meg, Jo, Amy and Beth as they strike out on their own and navigate the difficult waters between childhood and adulthood, all set against the backdrop of the American Civil War.
Read more ...300 Years of French & Saunders, BBC One
Funny duo Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders are returning to the BBC with brand new material and old favourites for a special 30th anniversary show, celebrating three decades of their working together.
Look out for the (absolutely fabulously) appearance of Jennifer Saunders' lifelong friend, Joanna Lumley.
Ratburger, Sky 1
Cometh the hour, cometh yet another adaptation of a David Walliams book for children.
This Christmas, we're being treated to two adaptations. On Sky, the mighty Sheridan Smith stars in Ratburger; the story of a young girl named Zoe who befriends a dancing rat.
Smith will be joined by David Walliams himself, who stars as a 'shifty burger man'. Grab a minced pie and a cup of tea – this one will be worth watching.
Call the Midwife Christmas special, BBC One
The midwives are back again on the BBC. This time, feel smug and warm and full as you watch them rushing about during 1963's Big Freeze – one of the coldest winters on record – saving young mothers from peril.
Miranda Does Christmas, Channel 4
It's been much too long since Miranda Hart was last on our TV screens, but this winter she's back – now on Channel 4 – with a 'raucous Christmas party with some very special guests.' That's a, what I call, an exciting announcement.
Mary, Mel and Sue's Big Christmas Thank You, BBC One
It's been a long year since we last saw our favourite ladies come together on the BBC to talk about food. But, as a Christmas present to us all, Mary Berry, Mel Giegdoryc and Sue Perkins are reunited for a festive feast in south Wales, bringing with them plenty of Christmas joy.
Grandpa's Great Escape, BBC One
On to the second David Walliams adaptation of the year, this time on the BBC.
Join the author himself, again, this time in a story about WWII flying ace Grandpa (Tom Courtenay) who is in an old people’s home – Twilight Towers – run by sinister Miss Dandy (Jennifer Saunders).
It isn't long before grandson Jack (Kit Connor) masterminds a ‘great escape’ to rescue Grandpa from the home.
Snow Bears, BBC One
Awww! Just look how cute those baby bears are!
Great news for those feeling the absence of Blue Planet this Christmas: the soporific, silky smooth vocals of Kate Winslet return following her 2015 documentary Snow Chicks, with a nature documentary about a different animal – the most Christmassy of them all (other than reindeers perhaps) – polar bears.
The Great British Bake Off, Channel 4
Despite the worries of the British nation, The Great British Bake Off made a successful leap over to Channel 4 this summer.
This Christmas, Paul, Prue, Sandi and Noel are back serving up a selection of previous bakers, including Val, Selasi, Benjamin and Rav. Sounds like a delicious pairings to us.
Delicious, Sky One
Dawn French and Emilia Fox’s drama is back for a second series this winter.
The two ladies return following revelations that Fox’s Sam discovered her recently deceased husband Leo (Iain Glen) had been having an affair with ex-wife and chef Gina (French).
Think food, drama and plenty of beautiful wafty dresses.
Olaf’s Frozen Adventure, Sky Cinema
We all loved Frozen with its message of power to the princess. The snowman from our favourite Disney film stars in this Christmas featurette.
The original cast return for a festive adventure as Olaf the snowman must learn about all the Christmas traditions in the kingdom.
Read more ...