It’s a Wonderful Life
Channel 4, Christmas Eve 2:15pm
Is this the greatest Christmas movie ever? Probably yes. It may have been shot so long go that the fake snow was made out of asbestos, but this story is timeless. A businessman starts to think life would be better if he wasn’t around, but before he is able to end it all an unlikely angel shows him how much of a contribution he has made to the world. Heart-warming stuff.
Mrs Brown's Boys Christmas Special airs on Christmas Day (Picture: (C) BBC - Photographer: Alan Peebles)Mrs Browns Boys D’Movie
BBC1, New Years Eve, 9:15pm
When Dublin’s famous Moore Street Market comes under threat from a corrupt Russian property developer, there is only one woman who can save it. Agnes. A full on legal battle ensues as she heads to court in order to save the family stall from being swallowed up by a fancy shopping mall. Rightly heralded as the greatest mam in Ireland, things begin to get nasty as Russian Mobsters try to derail justice in this TV premiere of d’movie.
Brian Friel: Return to Ballybeg
Irish TV on Sky, Christmas Day, 5pm
Presented by Frank Galligan and produced by Brendan O'Donnell, the paring behind weekly Donegal County Matters. This special explores Brian Friel’s fictional town of Ballybeg, as well as taking an in-depth look at the life of the Irish literary giant following his death this year. Born in 1929 Friel’s work has spanned generations and this hour-long documentary looks at his outstanding contribution as a writer, from Philadelphia to Dancing at Lughnasa.
Chas and Dave Xmas Knees Up
Channel 5, Christmas Day, 8:50pm
Step back in time to the 80s and celebrate the great cockney Christmas. This televised time capsule was first broadcast in 1982 as a Christmas special. The show features the much-loved cockney musical duo Chas Hodges and Dave Peacock and an audience of Londoners, all gathered around the Ol’ Joanna for a performance of Christmas songs. Set in a full-scale replica of an East End pub, prepare to inform younger family members that ‘there ain’t no pleasing you’, as they gasp in horror at the 80s hairstyles.
Graham Norton (Picture: (C) So TV - Photographer: Christopher Baines)The Graham Norton Show
BBC1, New Year’s Eve, 10:45pm
See out 2015 in style with Bandon born chat show host Graham Norton. As always, this end of year special will be packed full of the cream of the crop of special guests from the world of show business. Joining Graham on the sofa will be Will Ferrel, Mark Walberg, and Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence.
Jurassic Park
ITV, Boxing Day, 1:20pm
You’re surrounded by discarded wrapping paper and you’ve eaten more mince pies than any human being should. It’s starting to look like you will never move from the sofa, but fear not, life finds a way. Until then this 90s Spielberg classic will keep the whole family entertained. A scientist invites top palaeontologists and his own grandchildren to test-drive a new theme park. A theme park inhabited by genetically modified dinosaurs. A triceratops with tummy troubles and an approaching storm prevent things from going to plan.
Downton Abbey
ITV, Christmas Day, 8:45pm
A Christmas special at Downton Abbey was on the cards from the moment the credits started rolling on the final series. It’s New Years Eve 1925 and we’re all invited. With so many loose ends to tie up it’s bound to be a party to remember. Will Lady Edith ever snare a man, Will Mrs Hughes finally give out to the increasingly belligerent Carson, and will newlywed Lady Mary finally crack a smile? Fans will be hoping that these and the countless other questions plaguing the future of the Crawley family are answered. Either way we’re promised a send off to remember in this glittering finale to the popular period drama.
Inspector Bucket played by Stephen Rea (Picture: (C) Red Planet Productions - Photographer: Liam Daniel)Dickensian
BBC1, Boxing Day, 8:30pm
From the brains of Eastenders writer Tony Jordan, this new twenty-part series is a literal mash up of the best of Dickensian London. A steam-punk soap opera, Dickensian takes the best bits of famous Charles Dickens novels and combines them all on one cobbled Victorian street. The Three Cripples pub, better known as Bill Sykes local, lies across the gaslit street from The Old Curiosity shop, all overlooked by the frosty exterior of Satis house, haunted by the living. It’s a brave venture to combine all these characters into one show, and an eccentrically British one at that. Probably best enjoyed over a large cheeseboard and a glass of red.
Peter and Wendy
ITV, Boxing Day, 8pm
It wouldn’t be Christmas without the re-working of a childhood favourite, gather all the family together for this one. Peter and Wendy expertly weaves Barrie’s original tale of the boy who never grew up, into this modern day drama of a teenage girl undergoing treatment at Great Ormond Street hospital. Written by Adrian Hodges, the Bafta winning writer of My Week with Marilyn, be prepared for tears of joy and sadness. The casting is inspired with Stanley Tucci as the nefarious Captain Hook and Paloma Faith as Tinkerbell.
Aiden Turner scrubs up nicely for And Then There Were None (Picture: (C) Mammoth Screen - Photographer: Robert Viglasky)And Then There Were None
BBC1, Boxing Day, 9pm
Based on the best selling novel of the same name by crime queen Agatha Christie. This will be the first time the mystery has been adapted for TV and this BBC effort promises to be a belter. It’s 1939 and Britain is on the brink of war, ten strangers find themselves on an isolated island off the Devon coast. When their hosts disappear and one of the party is found dead, it appears they have murderer amongst them, but who? A creepy grammar phone recording adds further intrigue, spreading paranoia among the group. Split over three parts the show stars Aidan Turner, Charles Dance and Miranda Richardson.
Fungus the Bogeyman
Sky 1, December 27, 6pm
This, the most slimy of 90s children’s favourites is back to charm a new generation of little ones. The three-part family special stars Timothy Spall as Fungus the Bogeyman based on the Raymond Briggs character from the popular children’s books. The series explores the highs, and lows of the life of a bogeyman. Join Fungus as him and his son Mould develop their father son relationship throughout their journeys above and below ground.
Mrs Brown's Boys Christmas Special
BBC1, Christmas Day, 9.45pm
It’s every mother’s wish to have just one peaceful family Christmas. Plenty of belly laughs are in store as Brendan O’Carroll’s much loved Agnes’ plans for peace on earth go predictably awry. All hope for a quiet Christmas, is ruined by some noisy carol singers and a Christmas tree with an unusual safety feature. All is not lost though, the second part, which airs on New Year’s Day, sees her swept off her feet by a handsome stranger in Foley’s Bar.
