Christmas TV 2014
LIST: We've rounded up the best of Christmas TV 2014 as well as the best of Netflix.
Judi Dench and Dustin Hoffmann in Esio Trot
Christmas is about chocolate, baby Jesus, sprouts and TV. We’ve rounded up the best of what’s on TV, as well as the best of Netflix. Happy viewing!
For the family
On Angel Wings
(24th December, BBC 2)
This Christmas animation is the magical re-working of the nativity story, based on the book by leading storyteller Michael Morpurgo. With an all-star voice cast, including Michael Gambon, Juliet Stevenson, Dominic Cooper and Colin McFarlane.
The Boy in the Dress
(25th December, BBC1, 10.05pm)
David Walliams’s children’s book is adapted for the screen. Following on from the success of last year’s Mr. Stink, this promises to be a heartwarming tale for all the family.
The Snowman and the Snow Dog
(25th December, Channel 4, 1.55pm)
The sequel to the time-honoured Christmas classic, this time the Snowman has a new friend to play with.
Esio Trot
(1st January, BBC1, 6.30pm)
Richard Curtis brings Roald Dahl’s sensational children’s book to the screen, starring Dustin Hoffman.
Dr. Who
(25th December, BBC1, 6.15pm)
Nick Frost stars as Santa in the Time Lord’s latest Christmas themed adventure.
Blackadder’s Christmas Carol
(25th December BBC2, 8.15pm)
The Blackadder team’s rollicking take on Dickens’ Christmas Carol
The Incredible Adventures of Professor Branestawn
(24th December, BBC 1, 8.30pm)
Harry Hill stars as madcap inventor in a 60 minute family drama, adapted from Norman Hunter’s classic children’s book.
The Snowman and the Snowdog
TV
Mapp and Lucia
(29th December, BBC1, 9.05pm)
E. F. Benson’s novels about a culturally snobbish group of characters in the twenties are revisited in this TV mini series. Starring Steve Pemberton and Miranda Richardson.
Black Mirror: White Christmas
(16th December, Channel 4, 9pm)
Charlie Brooker’s dystopian short stories continue with a very special technological nightmare before Christmas.
Downton Abbey
(25th December, ITV)
Two hour special rounding off the fifth season of Julian Fellowes’s award winning period drama.
Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death
(26th December, Sky1, 8.30pm)
Quirky Sky1 murder mystery staring Ashley Jensen.
Game of Thrones
(20th December, Sky Atlantic)
Every episode of this fantasy saga will be shown over 12 days. Prepare for a Christmas binge.
Christmas University Challenge
(20th December-2nd Jan, 7.45pm)
Lovable dorks battle it out in front of Paxman in a festive Christman special. Count the Christmas jumpers.
The Wrong Mans
(22nd December, BBC2, 9pm)
Second series of far-fetched comedy thriller from Gavin and Stacey alumni James Corden and Phil Pinkett: mistaken identity throws council workers in jail.
Black Mirror
Documentaries / Factual
David Attenborough’s Conquest of the Skies 3D
(25th December, Sky1 or Sky3D)
Wildlife special from Attenborough’s team explores the story of all creatures that jump, soar and fly. Those with 3D TVs will be all the more mesmerized.
Rik Mayall: Lord of Misrule
(December 25th, BBC2, 9.30pm)
Narrated by Simon Callow this doc will chart the life and career of the legendary comedian whose premature death in June shook the entertainment world.
Charlie Brooker’s 2014 Wipe
(30th December, BBC2, 10pm)
Charlie Brooker’s sardonic take on the events of the year is soon becoming a Christmas television tradition. Expect biting satire and a grumpy antidote to Christmas joy.
The Alternative Christmas Message
(Time TBC, Channel 4)
Channel 4 are yet to announce their speaker though having previously featured Edward Snowden, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and The Simpsons they are unlikely to shy from controversy.
Storyville: Pantomine
(Time TBC, BBC4)
Light hearted documentary following the cast of an amateur production of Puss in Boots.
Narnia’s Lost Poet
(30th December, 9pm, BBC4)
Loving documentary by CS Lewis’ biographer AN Wilson, revealing the academic and man behind Narnia.
The Kate Bush Story: Running Up That Hill
(28th December, BBC4, 23.34)
Documentary exploring the freaky queen of 2014, from 1978’s Running Up That Hill to 2011’s 50 Words for Snow.
Tales of Winter: The Art of Snow and Ice
(21st December -25th Jan, 7 30)
Exploration of the Western World’s reflection of the cruelty and beauty of winter through art.
Royal Institution Lecture
(29th December BBC4, 8pm)
Annual lecture on a single topic from an eminent scientist, presented in an entertaining manner.
The Kate Bush Story: Running Up That Hill
What to Watch on Netflix this December
Him and Her
Stand out British sit-com of the last few years, starring Russell Tovey, depicting a broke, lazy couple, very much in love.
The Killing
Outstanding Danish crime thriller starring Sofie Gråbøl as a messed up detective. You really should have seen it by now.
Sherlock
Benedict Cumberbatch stars as the world’s favourite detective in Steven Moffat’s updated Sherlock.
Transparent
Amazon’s comedy drama centred on an LA family coming to terms with a transgender father.
Orange is the New Black
Hugely popular prison drama about a woman sent down for a decades-old crime. Nominated for 4 Golden Globes.
BBC Pride and Prejudice
The period drama to end all period dramas- it’s time to revisit Andrew Davies iconic 1995 production, if only for the Colin Firth-lake-wet shirt scene.
House of Cards
American political drama starring Kevin Spacey that’s been garlanded with every award going.
Parade’s End
Directed by Stoppard, Rebecca Hall and Benedict Cumberbatch make up love triangle in stylish adaptation of Ford Maddox Ford’s 1927.
Dexter
Critically acclaimed Emmy-winning US drama, starring Michael C Hall as the forensics expert who moonlights as a serial killer.
Californication
Witty, sexy drama starring David Duchovny as a highly-sexed nymphomaniac, desperately trying to win back his girlfriend and their daughter.
Breaking Bad
The best series of all time? Bryan Cranston stars as the terminally ill chemistry teacher who teams up with his former student and starts dealing meth.
Black Mirror
Mindbending dystopic series explores the darkside of technology, described by creator Charlie Brooker as “about the way we live now – and the way we might be living in 10 minutes time if we're clumsy."
The Thick of It
Iannucci’ show is the best political satire of all time- Capaldi triumphs as curmudgeonly Malcolm Tucker.
Arrested Development
Genius cult comedy starring Jason Bateman and Michael Cera, centring on a father-son relationship.
Parade's End
For the family
On Angel Wings
(24th December, BBC 2)
This Christmas animation is the magical re-working of the nativity story, based on the book by leading storyteller Michael Morpurgo. With an all-star voice cast, including Michael Gambon, Juliet Stevenson, Dominic Cooper and Colin McFarlane.
The Boy in the Dress
(25th December, BBC1, 10.05pm)
David Walliams’s children’s book is adapted for the screen. Following on from the success of last year’s Mr. Stink, this promises to be a heartwarming tale for all the family.
The Snowman and the Snow Dog
(25th December, Channel 4, 1.55pm)
The sequel to the time-honoured Christmas classic, this time the Snowman has a new friend to play with.
Esio Trot
(1st January, BBC1, 6.30pm)
Richard Curtis brings Roald Dahl’s sensational children’s book to the screen, starring Dustin Hoffman.
Dr. Who
(25th December, BBC1, 6.15pm)
Nick Frost stars as Santa in the Time Lord’s latest Christmas themed adventure.
Blackadder’s Christmas Carol
(25th December BBC2, 8.15pm)
The Blackadder team’s rollicking take on Dickens’ Christmas Carol
The Incredible Adventures of Professor Branestawn
(24th December, BBC 1, 8.30pm)
Harry Hill stars as madcap inventor in a 60 minute family drama, adapted from Norman Hunter’s classic children’s book.
The Snowman and the Snowdog
TV
Mapp and Lucia
(29th December, BBC1, 9.05pm)
E. F. Benson’s novels about a culturally snobbish group of characters in the twenties are revisited in this TV mini series. Starring Steve Pemberton and Miranda Richardson.
Black Mirror: White Christmas
(16th December, Channel 4, 9pm)
Charlie Brooker’s dystopian short stories continue with a very special technological nightmare before Christmas.
Downton Abbey
(25th December, ITV)
Two hour special rounding off the fifth season of Julian Fellowes’s award winning period drama.
Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death
(26th December, Sky1, 8.30pm)
Quirky Sky1 murder mystery staring Ashley Jensen.
Game of Thrones
(20th December, Sky Atlantic)
Every episode of this fantasy saga will be shown over 12 days. Prepare for a Christmas binge.
Christmas University Challenge
(20th December-2nd Jan, 7.45pm)
Lovable dorks battle it out in front of Paxman in a festive Christman special. Count the Christmas jumpers.
The Wrong Mans
(22nd December, BBC2, 9pm)
Second series of far-fetched comedy thriller from Gavin and Stacey alumni James Corden and Phil Pinkett: mistaken identity throws council workers in jail.
Black Mirror
Documentaries / Factual
David Attenborough’s Conquest of the Skies 3D
(25th December, Sky1 or Sky3D)
Wildlife special from Attenborough’s team explores the story of all creatures that jump, soar and fly. Those with 3D TVs will be all the more mesmerized.
Rik Mayall: Lord of Misrule
(December 25th, BBC2, 9.30pm)
Narrated by Simon Callow this doc will chart the life and career of the legendary comedian whose premature death in June shook the entertainment world.
Charlie Brooker’s 2014 Wipe
(30th December, BBC2, 10pm)
Charlie Brooker’s sardonic take on the events of the year is soon becoming a Christmas television tradition. Expect biting satire and a grumpy antidote to Christmas joy.
The Alternative Christmas Message
(Time TBC, Channel 4)
Channel 4 are yet to announce their speaker though having previously featured Edward Snowden, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and The Simpsons they are unlikely to shy from controversy.
Storyville: Pantomine
(Time TBC, BBC4)
Light hearted documentary following the cast of an amateur production of Puss in Boots.
Narnia’s Lost Poet
(30th December, 9pm, BBC4)
Loving documentary by CS Lewis’ biographer AN Wilson, revealing the academic and man behind Narnia.
The Kate Bush Story: Running Up That Hill
(28th December, BBC4, 23.34)
Documentary exploring the freaky queen of 2014, from 1978’s Running Up That Hill to 2011’s 50 Words for Snow.
Tales of Winter: The Art of Snow and Ice
(21st December -25th Jan, 7 30)
Exploration of the Western World’s reflection of the cruelty and beauty of winter through art.
Royal Institution Lecture
(29th December BBC4, 8pm)
Annual lecture on a single topic from an eminent scientist, presented in an entertaining manner.
The Kate Bush Story: Running Up That Hill
What to Watch on Netflix this December
Him and Her
Stand out British sit-com of the last few years, starring Russell Tovey, depicting a broke, lazy couple, very much in love.
The Killing
Outstanding Danish crime thriller starring Sofie Gråbøl as a messed up detective. You really should have seen it by now.
Sherlock
Benedict Cumberbatch stars as the world’s favourite detective in Steven Moffat’s updated Sherlock.
Transparent
Amazon’s comedy drama centred on an LA family coming to terms with a transgender father.
Orange is the New Black
Hugely popular prison drama about a woman sent down for a decades-old crime. Nominated for 4 Golden Globes.
BBC Pride and Prejudice
The period drama to end all period dramas- it’s time to revisit Andrew Davies iconic 1995 production, if only for the Colin Firth-lake-wet shirt scene.
House of Cards
American political drama starring Kevin Spacey that’s been garlanded with every award going.
Parade’s End
Directed by Stoppard, Rebecca Hall and Benedict Cumberbatch make up love triangle in stylish adaptation of Ford Maddox Ford’s 1927.
Dexter
Critically acclaimed Emmy-winning US drama, starring Michael C Hall as the forensics expert who moonlights as a serial killer.
Californication
Witty, sexy drama starring David Duchovny as a highly-sexed nymphomaniac, desperately trying to win back his girlfriend and their daughter.
Breaking Bad
The best series of all time? Bryan Cranston stars as the terminally ill chemistry teacher who teams up with his former student and starts dealing meth.
Black Mirror
Mindbending dystopic series explores the darkside of technology, described by creator Charlie Brooker as “about the way we live now – and the way we might be living in 10 minutes time if we're clumsy."
The Thick of It
Iannucci’ show is the best political satire of all time- Capaldi triumphs as curmudgeonly Malcolm Tucker.
Arrested Development
Genius cult comedy starring Jason Bateman and Michael Cera, centring on a father-son relationship.
Parade's End
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