Amadeus
Sunday 21 December, 9pm, Sky Atlantic
Peter Shaffer’s celebrated play about the rivalry between musical genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Will Sharpe) and the lesser-known composer Antonio Salieri (Paul Bettany) is set to debut on television. The narrative unfolds with Mozart’s arrival in Vienna, where he aims to make a significant impact with his unconventional style, much to the chagrin of the pious Salieri, who is determined to undermine his rival, reports BritPanorama.
Beyond Paradise
Sunday 21 December, 9pm, BBC One
Over the Christmas period, tensions rise for the detectives of Shipton Abbott as they confront a perplexing mystery. When Esther (Zahra Ahmadi) finds a disoriented man with amnesia outside the police station, clutching a photo of DI Humphrey Goodman (Kris Marshall), questions abound about the man’s identity. Additionally, Martha (Sally Bretton) concocts a secret plan, while PC Kelby Hartford (Dylan Llewellyn) assists someone entangled in a snowman costume.
The Madame Blanc Mysteries
Tuesday 23rd December, 8pm, 5
Returning as Sainte Victoire’s antique dealer-turned-sleuth, Jean (Sally Lindsay) embarks on festive festivities that take a perilous turn when she is invited to authenticate a piece previously owned by Marie Antoinette. During a Christmas Eve event at a local museum, she discovers a bomb concealed within the box, giving her just 90 minutes to decipher the code and avert disaster.
All Creatures Great and Small Christmas Special
Christmas Eve, 9pm, 5
Set in Christmas 1945, the beloved adaptation of James Herriot’s veterinary memoirs portrays the festive challenges post-World War II. With dinner supplies in short demand, Tristan (Callum Woodhouse) forgets his responsibilities for the Christmas tree. Meanwhile, amid concerns over Helen’s (Rachel Shenton) health, James (Nicholas Ralph) must orchestrate the Nativity play, leading to a chaotic yet anticipated celebration.
A Ghost Story for Christmas: The Room in the Tower
Christmas Eve, 10pm, BBC Two
Mark Gatiss presents his eighth festive ghost story, featuring a star-studded cast including Dame Joanna Lumley and The Crown’s Tobias Menzies. This adaptation centers on a man haunted by an ominous dream for 15 years, culminating in a chilling real-life invitation to a room fraught with danger.
Call the Midwife
Christmas Day, 8.15pm and Boxing Day, 8.30pm
This year’s festive episodes of Call the Midwife feature a significant change: one segment is set in Hong Kong. As the mission collapses due to ground issues, midwives travel to care for displaced mothers and orphans, while the traditional Christmas parade brings festive cheer back to Poplar.
Stranger Things
Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve, Netflix
The fifth season of Stranger Things resumes following a dramatic cliffhanger, with the narrative promising a suspenseful conclusion involving the fate of Vecna and the demise of the Upside Down. The eagerly awaited instalments are set to bring closure to the long-running saga, with the beloved characters facing their toughest challenges yet.
The Lowdown
Boxing Day, Disney+
Focusing on the intriguing life of Lee Roy Chapman, a citizen journalist who has dedicated his career to unearthing corruption, the new series The Lowdown stars Ethan Hawke as Lee Raybon, whose quest for justice often places him at odds with those in power.
The Hunting Wives
Saturday 27 December, ITVX
As Sophie (Brittany Snow) adapts to life in East Texas post-trauma, she intersects with Margo (Malin Åkerman), the captivating leader of the “Hunting Wives.” As she navigates this affluent circle, the emergence of a local murder leads to suspicion that one of her new acquaintances could be involved.
The Good Ship Murder
Saturday 27 December, 9pm, 5
In the Christmas special of The Good Ship Murder, singer Jack Grayling faces a challenging situation when a guest at the villa is found dead. Once a performer on the cruise ship, Jack, now working in Alicante, is drawn back into the investigation by First Officer Kate (Catherine Tyldesley).
Death in Paradise
Sunday 28 December, 9pm, BBC One
The holiday season turns deadly in Saint Marie when DI Mervin Wilson (Don Gilet) and his team respond to a mystery involving a murder at a villa party. As the investigation develops, they discover the murder weapon remains locked away in Swindon, presenting a challenging scenario for the team.
Run Away
New Year’s Day, Netflix
Following the success of previous adaptations, a new series from Harlan Coben titled Run Away features James Nesbitt as a father on a desperate quest to find his runaway daughter, Paige. The investigation intertwines with a private investigator’s motives, leading to unexpected twists inherent in Coben’s thrillers.
