This year more than ever is a Christmas for cosying up on the couch and binge watching some quality (and probably not so quality) TV.
Here are a few recommendations of what to watch on TV, Netflix, Now TV and Disney+.
Tonight (23rd):
Mary Berry Saves Christmas @ 6:30pm BBC1
Mary Berry teaches three hopeless kitchen novices to create surprise festive feasts for those closest to them. Mary’s pupils - Jake, Jess and Claire - all have one thing in common: they have never cooked a meal from scratch in their lives.
Streaming from today on Netflix: Midnight Sky
This post-apocalyptic tale follows Augustine (George Clooney), a lonely scientist in the Arctic, as he races to stop Sully (Felicity Jones) and her fellow astronauts from returning home to a mysterious global catastrophe. Clooney directs the adaptation of Lily Brooks-Dalton’s acclaimed novel Good Morning, Midnight.
Christmas Eve:
Cinderella Comic Relief Panto - 8:15pm on BBC2
The timeless classic, rewritten by the award-winning Dawson Brothers and produced by Richard Curtis, sees a host of A-list stars take on some of the most iconic roles in panto.
The stellar cast includes Olivia Colman as the Fairy Godmother, Guz Khan as Buttons, Helena Bonham Carter as Devilia, Tom Hollander as Baron Hardup and real-life sister and brother Daisy May and Charlie Cooper as the Evil Stepsisters. This virtual script-read guarantees big laughs whilst also raising money to fight loneliness, hunger and cold at home and abroad, both during Christmas and beyond.
Streaming from today on Now TV: Roald & Beatrix: The Tale of The curious Mouse
The story centres on a meeting between Beatrix Potter (Dawn French) and a young Roald Dahl (Harry Tayler), which comes at a pivotal moments in both their lives. Potter is struggling with her writing and is losing her eyesight and Roald has recently lost a sister and father and is taking solace in books. With live animals, animation and Alison Steadman, Rob Brydon, Nina Sosanya and Bill Bailey among the impressive ensemble, it’s a snow-filled festive treat with a powerful message about following your dreams.
Christmas Day:
Strictly The Christmas Countdown @ 4:45pm on BBC1
This Christmas special of Strictly Come Dancing will take viewers through 16 years of the hit show and will reveal some of the most iconic performances of all time. In light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, we wont see the tradition of previous contestants returning to perform a festive-themed number. However it will highlight some of the most memorable dances in the show’s history, with commentary from Tess Daly, Claudia Winkleman, the judges, the professionals and Strictly alumni.
Angelas Christmas Wish on RTE1 @ 5:15pm
The 45-minute sequel to the Emmy nominated special Angela’s Christmas, made by Brown Bag Films, will be broadcast on RTÉ One on Christmas Day, and will be repeated on Stephen's Day at 1:25 pm. It is also available to stream on Netflix.
A determined Angela makes a wish to reunite her family in time for Christmas, then launches a plan to find her way from Ireland to Australia.
Mrs Browns Boys Christmas Special - lockdown life - RTE and BBC on Christmas Day and New Year Eve
Brendan O’Carroll says there will be a “different” feel to the two special Christmas episodes of Mrs Browns Boys this year but all the usual characters will be returning as viewers see how Mrs Brown and her crew are coping with life under lockdown.
Streaming from today on Netflix: Bridgerton
From Shondaland and Creator Chris Van Dusen, Bridgerton follows Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dyvenor), the eldest daughter of the powerful Bridgerton family as she makes her debut onto Regency London’s competitive marriage market. Hoping to follow in her parent’s footsteps and find a match sparked by true love, Daphne’s prospects initially seem to be unrivaled. But as her older brother begins to rule out her potential suitors, the high society scandal sheet written by the mysterious Lady Whistledown casts aspersions on Daphne. Enter the highly desirable and rebellious Duke of Hastings (Regé-Jean Page), committed bachelor and the catch of the season for the debutantes’ mamas. Despite proclaiming that they want nothing the other has to offer, their attraction is undeniable and sparks fly as they find themselves engaged in an increasing battle of wits while navigating society’s expectations for their future. And of course it stars the wonderful Nichola Coughlan from Derry girls.
Streaming from today on Disney+ - Soul
Pixar's first film with a Black lead character tells the story of a middle school band teacher, Joe Gardner (voiced by Jamie Foxx), who gets a gig at one of the hottest jazz clubs in New York.
After accidentally falling through a sewer grate, he ends up in "The Great Before," a fictional land described in the film's synopsis as "a fantastical place where new souls get their personalities, quirks and interests before they go to Earth."
Tina Fey voices a soul in the film, named 22, who teams up with Joe in his quest to return home. During their time together, he teaches her a thing or two about the best parts of life and humanity.
Between Christmas & New Year:
Stevens Day: The Story of SM:TV @ 9:25am
It was the TV show that catapulted Ant McPartlin, Declan Donnelly and Cat Deeley to stardom and many of us were hooked to it every Saturday morning. Now, 19 years after leaving the show, the trio reunite to bring us some memories such as Wonkey Donkey and Chums, the PokéRap and Dec Say.
27th - 29th: Black Narcissus on BBC1
This psychological thriller is set to be one of the biggest shows this Christmas and will have you hooked for the three nights between Christmas and New Year. Based on the 1939 novel by Rumer Godden it tells the story of a group of Anglican nuns led by Sister Clodagh (Gemma Arterton), who are sent to establish a new church in the remote Himalayas.
But when they arrive, the group discover that the palace they hope to transform has a chequered history and a life of its own. The show also stars "The Fall" actress Aisling Franciosi and the late Diana Rigg.
New Years Eve: There will be no fireworks this year, just sitting in by the telly.
RTE - Soundtrack to my life
Kodaline will be the subject of a special show, presented by Nicky Byrne, as they team up with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra to create a unique playlist of songs that mean the most to them and reveal to presenter Nicky Byrne the stories behind their choices.
10:45pm - New Years Eve Countdown from the Gaiety Theatre
Kathyrn Thomas and Deirdre O'Kane will front the NYE Countdown Show from Dublin's famed Gaiety Theatre, which will shine a spotlight on some of Ireland's best home grown talent, including Sharon Shannon, Mundy and Lyra.
BBC 1- The Big New Years In/Graham Norton Show/Alicia Keyes Rocks Big Ben from 9pm
At 9pm host Paddy McGuinness is joined by a number of celebrities taking part in various games. This is followed by a special edition of The Grahan Norton Show featuring "Wild Mountain Thyme" stars Emily Blunt and Jamie Dornan (who he will hopefully drill about their terrible Irish accents) as well as superstar Tom Hanks chatting on his sofa. Then musician Alicia Keys Rocks Big Ben Live from 11.30pm.
Channel 4 - The Last Leg @ 9pm
This two-hour special will look back on the chaos of 2020 with Lorraine Kelly and Tom Allen.
BBC Two - The Annual Hootenanny from 11.15pm
Jools Holland hosts with performances from Tom Jones, Mercury winner Michael Kiwanuka and Celeste.
New Years Day:
The Serpent on BBC
This 8-part series kicks off on New Years Day and tells the fascinating true story of Charles Sobhraj, a full-on psychopath who was responsible for a series of brutal murders in the mid-1970s. Along with his girlfriend Marie-Andrée Leclerce, he killed his victims along the Hippy Trail, a now largely inaccessible route between Europe and Southeast Asia once taken by young travellers.
Chitty Flies Again on Channel 4 @ 9:30pm
Fans of the Christmas classic movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will love this as comedian and author David Walliams attempts to bring the timeless classic to life and to get a car to fly. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic musical film he will be be recruiting his very own Caractacus Potts (Aircraft Engineer Tony Hoskins) to build his car.
