0 22 mins 10 yrs

Check out the BBC One Christmas programming below and click on the links for further Christmas TV info:

BBC One Christmas film premieres

Channel 4 Christmas films

Channel 4 Christmas line-up

Airdates and times for Christmas, New Year and beyond can be found on our Set Spy page here.

Atlantis

Shocking revelations and deadly peril face our trio in epic fantasy family drama Atlantis this Christmas. Screened in two-parts over the festive period, the series finale stars Mark Addy, Jack Donnelly, Robert Emms and Sarah Parish.

Call The Midwife

448

In Poplar, Christmas 1958 is not just about the opening of presents, but also the closing of deep wounds. Wartime trials are relived – and a new enemy confronted – before peace and love are restored to centre stage.

Fairy lights festoon the streets as Jenny’s relationship with Alec continues to blossom and Shelagh prepares for her quiet wedding to Dr Turner.

Suddenly, Nonnatus House is awoken by a hammering on the door. But this time, it’s not a panicking father, it’s the police. Just around the corner, an unexploded bomb has been uncovered and the district has to be evacuated. Electrical power in the immediate vicinity has been cut off, and it is dark as the nuns and nurses scramble out of the door to join the crowds of evacuated residents scurrying down the pitch-black street.

As the community struggles to stop Christmas being reduced to ashes, the Nonnatus House staff reach out to those in need and keep spirits high, rekindling the spirit of the Blitz.

Celebrity Mastermind

John Humphrys returns for another series of Britain’s toughest quiz as 40 more famous faces take on the challenge of the famous black chair in Celebrity Mastermind.

The series will be stripped over the Christmas fortnight on BBC One, as pop stars, comedians, sports stars and presenters are tested on their specialist subjects and then on their general knowledge.

Citizen Khan

It’s Christmas Eve and Mrs Khan has decided to have a traditional family Christmas, their first one ever. Mr Khan is very ‘bah-humbug’ about the whole thing; he thinks Christmas is just an excuse for people to get ripped off and he believes the Khans have the perfect reason not to celebrate it – they’re Muslim!

Mr Khan is collecting the family’s ‘unwanted’ items for the Mosque charity collection – the biggest donor will be named ‘Muslim of the Month’. Nevertheless, Mrs Khan sends him off to buy a tree and some decorations while she and the rest of the family set about trying to prepare to stuff their first Christmas turkey!

Mr Khan arrives at the Mosque only to find that it’s closed for Christmas! Much to Mr Khan’s bemusement the Mosque committee is holding a Christmas Fayre in the Community Centre next door.

Things take a turn for the worse when he realises he’s accidentally dumped Mrs Khan’s favourite family heirloom in the charity collection. Mr Khan has to go to extraordinary lengths to try and get it back and also bag the very last Christmas tree in Sparkhill.

But will he get back home in time and in one piece, to make this a Khan Christmas to remember?

Death Comes To Pemberley

448 (1)

In this, the 200th anniversary year of the first publication of Pride And Prejudice, PD James’ remarkably inventive homage to Austen brings her much-loved world to life in a dazzling and original way, with Austen’s best-known characters, Elizabeth, Darcy and Wickham at its heart.

Elizabeth and Darcy, now six years married and with two young sons, are preparing for the lavish annual ball at their magnificent Pemberley home. The unannounced arrival of Elizabeth’s wayward sister Lydia, however, brings an abrupt and shocking halt to proceedings when she stumbles out of her chaise screaming that her husband Wickham has been murdered.

Darcy leads a search party out to the woodlands, and when they discover the blood-smeared corpse, not of Wickham, but his traveling companion, suspicion is at once aroused. The dramatic and unnerving events of the evening have shattered the peace, both of the Darcys and of Pemberley, and as the family becomes caught up in the ensuing murder investigation, a mysterious web of secrets and deceit will threaten all that the Darcys hold dear.

Anna Maxwell Martin plays Elizabeth Bennett, Matthew Rhys plays Fitzwilliam Darcy and Matthew Goode plays George Wickham.

Doctor Who – The Time Of The Doctor

Doctor Who

Orbiting a quiet backwater planet, the massed forces of the universe’s deadliest species gather, drawn to a mysterious message that echoes out to the stars – and amongst them, the Doctor.

Rescuing Clara from a family Christmas dinner, the Time Lord and his best friend must learn what this enigmatic signal means for his own fate and that of the universe.

Dolphins – Spy In The Pod

From spy dolphin to spy tuna and turtle, for the first time an underwater menagerie of spy creatures infiltrate the secret world of dolphins. Swimming alongside some of the most captivating and clever animals on the planet, these new spies are always on the move – catching the waves with surfing bottlenose dolphins and speeding with a megapod of spinner dolphins.

From the team at John Downer Productions that brought you the unforgettable Penguins – Spy In The Huddle, this is one of the nation’s favourite animals seen as never before.

EastEnders

In Walford, Janine’s lies look set to be exposed but with the pressure mounting and nowhere to run, she once again takes matters into her own murderous hands – but will she kill again, will she be caught, or will she flee Walford before the truth comes out?

Meanwhile, The Queen Victoria finds itself under new management when Mick and Linda Carter take over, but as the family settle into their new home, little do they know life is about to throw them a few curveballs

John Bishop’s Christmas Show

Comedy superstar John Bishop is performing from the West End’s Lyceum Theatre in a night of roaring festive laughter. Hosting and curating a massive Christmas Show full of his very own favourite comics and artists, Bish will be treating London and the rest of the UK to a laugh-fest packed full of good cheer.

Gangsta Granny

448 (2)

Julia McKenzie, Joanna Lumley, Rob Brydon and Miranda Hart bring David Walliams’ best-selling children’s novel to life in a special 60-minute adaptation for BBC One.

From the BAFTA-nominated team behind 2012’s Mr Stink and co-written by Kevin Cecil and Andy Riley (Gnomeo & Juliet, Robbie The Reindeer, Black Books) with David Walliams, the comedy drama tells the story of schoolboy Ben (Reece Buttery), who is bored beyond belief after he is made to stay at the house of his grandma, played by Julia McKenzie (Agatha Christie’s Marple, Cranford); all she ever wants to do is stay in, play Scrabble, and eat cabbage soup.

Until one day, when Ben’s grandma tells him a story that she was once an international jewel thief, and together they go on a wild adventure to complete the one heist she never quite managed in her criminal heyday – which brings them face-to-face with Her Majesty The Queen, played by Joanna Lumley (Absolutely Fabulous, Jam & Jerusalem, Sensitive Skin).

David Walliams (Little Britain, Big School, Britain’s Got Talent) and Miranda Hart (Call The Midwife, Miranda) appear as Ben’s Strictly Come Dancing obsessed parents, Mike & Linda.

Rob Brydon (Gavin & Stacey, The Trip) plays Mr Parker – a nosy neighbour who could scupper Ben and his grandma’s plot; and Jocelyn Jee Esien (3 Non Blondes, Little Miss Jocelyn) appears as Kelly, the pushy mother of Florence (India Ria Amarteifio) with whom Ben has to dance in a local ballroom competition.

Last Tango In Halifax

Gillian wakes up having slept on the sofa. It is early morning. A quick flashback to last night’s confession to Caroline terrifies her. But much to Gillian’s surprise and relief, Caroline’s filled with empathy. Caroline says they are friends and she won’t turn her in to the police.

Elsewhere, preparations are underway for Alan and Celia’s big day. Celia focuses on the more traditional aspects of a wedding ceremony, whereas Alan has Stag and Hen dos on his mind!

A few days later, Caroline’s back at school when she hears Kate has been rushed to hospital because of complications. Caroline drops everything to be there for her. She walks into the maternity clinic to find a nervous and anxious Kate in the waiting room – has she lost the baby?

Later that evening, Caroline’s having dinner with Alan, Celia and Lawrence. She’s doing a good job of looking cheerful even though we sense the ongoing stress in her personal life. Alan’s telling everyone how his brother, Ted, has hurt his leg so is unable to fly over for the wedding. Just then, the doorbells rings, Alan goes to investigate and it’s Ted (played by Timothy West)! He’s flown over to surprise Alan. The other family members couldn’t make it, but he wanted to be there. Everyone’s delighted.

Finally, it’s the day of the wedding and celebrations are in full swing. Celia looks beautiful and the speeches are full of warmth and laughter. But with emotions running high between Caroline and Kate, and Gillian eager to make a move with Robbie, will everything go off without a hitch?

Len Goodman’s Perfect Christmas

From presents to party games, from the tree to the turkey, from Father Christmas to family get-togethers, Strictly Come Dancing’s head judge Len Goodman invites us to share his perfect Christmas Day – as seen on TV.

For this one-off seasonal special, Len’s taken a twirl through the archives and come up with an unforgettable Christmas TV moment for every step of the day.

Mrs Brown’s Boys

448 (3)

Christmas Special

Christmas is just round the corner, and no-one knows what Mrs Brown’s grandson Bono wants for a present. He’s already posted his letter off to Santa, so how can she find out in time?

Meanwhile, at her family games night, Agnes struggles to control her temper when none of the guests will play by her rules. But at least there shouldn’t be any problems with the Christmas tree this year – she’s having a very special one delivered…

New Year Special

Agnes is a Mammy on a mission – trying to make sure grandson Bono isn’t sent to the infamous local primary school (despite what his parents want). And as if her house isn’t normally noisy enough, she finds herself lumbered with a brand new houseguest – a homeless parrot.

At least she’s got her New Year’s Eve party to look forward to – until her guests start dropping like flies. Suddenly it looks like she might be seeing in the New Year alone without her family around her…

Nan

Catherine Tate returns with her well-loved character, Nan.

Whilst Jamie, Nan’s grandson (Mathew Horne) is away in Africa doing voluntary work, a young girl, Alice (Ami Metcalf) has been allocated to Nan by the “Young and Old Buddy-Up Foundation” to keep her company and cheer her up.

Alice soon discovers that Nan’s kitchen tap is broken and so accompanies her to the council office to arrange to get it fixed. Unfortunately, Nan, in her usual style, causes mayhem and upset at the offices, ending up with her being given a community service order in the local hospital.

Jamie, meanwhile, who is skype-ing regularly from Africa, is concerned when he sees Nan in hospital, thinking she’s seriously ill. At the same time, new neighbours have moved in across the corridor and Nan gets involved in preparations for their family wedding party.

Not Going Out

In an effort to create the perfect Christmas for Lucy, Lee invites her parents to join the two of them and Daisy in a snug old house in the country which used to belong to his dear dead aunt.

But the Christmas spirit is in short supply when Lucy discovers that the house has not been lived in for years and there appears to be a spooky presence.

Sherlock

wpid-608-16.jpeg

BBC One’s much praised, multi-award-winning drama Sherlock, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, returns for an eagerly awaited third series of three, 90-minute films – The Empty Hearse, The Sign Of Three and His Last Vow.

The contemporary re-imagining of the Arthur Conan Doyle classic, co-created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, has caused a sensation since it first aired in the summer of 2010, the last series delivering an audience of more than 10 million viewers who have tuned in to watch Sherlock and John Watson navigate a maze of cryptic clues and lethal killers in three thrilling, action-packed adventures.

In episode one of this new series, two years after the devastating effects of The Reichenbach Fall, Dr John Watson has got on with his life. New horizons, romance and a comforting domestic future beckon. But, with London under threat of a huge terrorist attack, Sherlock Holmes is about to rise from the grave with all the theatricality that comes so naturally to him. It’s what his best friend wanted more than anything, but for John Watson it might well be a case of ‘be careful what you wish for’! If Sherlock thinks everything will be just as he left it though, he’s in for a very big surprise…

Songs Of Praise

Throughout the Advent season, Songs Of Praise presents four special programmes with inspiring hymns and carols and stories of faith from around the UK.

On the first Sunday of Advent, David Grant joins the preparations for Christmas on the Isle of Man. The Manx Choir, Caarjyn Cooidjagh, will sing a popular Manx Carval, She Sho Yn Laa, and there will be congregational song from the Parish Church and Cathedral of St German in Peel.

Singer and BBC Radio Two presenter Paul Jones talks to Aled Jones about his musical career, Christian faith and his personal turning point from militant atheist to devout believer.

Sally Magnusson joins young people in Wigan as they prepare for Christmas and make a positive difference in their community.  More than 200 young singers will gather in St Oswald and St Edmund Arrowsmith Roman Catholic Church to sing carols by candlelight including The First Nowell and the Calypso Carol.

And, on the final Sunday of Advent, Aled Jones presents a Songs Of Praise special from the Royal Albert Hall – Big Sing: The UK’s Top Ten Carols. Revealing the nation’s favourite Christmas songs as voted for in a nationwide poll, carols include: Hark! The Herald-Angels Sing, O Come All Ye Faithful, In The Bleak Midwinter and O Little Town Of Bethlehem – with the most popular carol of all revealed in this special programme.

Still Open All Hours

448 (5)

Twenty-eight years after the broadcast of the last episode of Roy Clarke’s hugely popular situation comedy Open All Hours, we are recording a new episode: Still Open All Hours.

Sir David Jason heads the cast as Granville, who some years back inherited the shop from his beloved but miserly Uncle Arkwright. He now runs it with his son Leroy, a cheerful, good-looking lad with more female admirers than Granville ever had. Granville sees him as the shop assistant but he sees himself as the head of IT. Granville has brought up Leroy himself, with the help of a lot of the local women, after he arrived on the doorstep as the surprise result of a one night stand in Blackpool 25 years ago.

The episode follows a day in the life of the shop and its customers including (retired) Nurse Gladys Emmanuel (Lynda Barron) and the Black Widow (Stephanie Cole). Granville attempts to get a date with old flame Mavis (Maggie Ollerenshaw) without her terrifying sister Madge finding out; Leroy shuns the old delivery bike and finds an altogether more attractive way to deliver the orders; and a sneaky new plan to shift a lot of anchovy paste has some rather surprising side effects.

Strictly Come Dancing

448 (4)

Grand Final

And the wait is finally over. Sir Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly present the ultimate ballroom battle – it’s the Strictly Come Dancing Grand Final 2013.

Christmas Special

Deck the halls with glitter balls… the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special returns to once again light up a magical Christmas Day, as six celebrities take part in a festive edition of the nation’s favourite show.

With a stunning Christmas opening number filmed at UK Lapland, Sir Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly once again preside over the merry proceedings, and judges Len Goodman, Darcey Bussell, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood will be on hand to dish out some Christmas cheer and scores.

The Archbishop’s New Year Message

On New Year’s Day BBC One will broadcast The Archbishop’s New Year Message, the first to be delivered by Justin Welby.

The Matt Lucas Awards – Christmas Special

Matt’s guests include Alan Davies, Jo Brand and Rhod Gilbert – and the categories they’ll be discussing during the show include ‘Most Irritating Christmas Song’ and ‘Lamest Christmas Present Ever Received’.

The Whale

448 (6)

Multiple award-winner Martin Sheen (The West Wing, The Amazing Spider-Man) stars in The Whale, a drama based on true events, written by Terry Cafolla (Holy Cross, Messiah).

Sheen plays Old Thomas Nickerson, who tells the story of his life as a cabin boy on the ill-fated voyage of the whaling ship, The Essex.

The BBC One drama is inspired by real-life accounts of the ship’s sinking that are said to have inspired Herman Melville’s ‘Moby Dick’.

Top Of The Pops

Fearne Cotton and Reggie Yates will present the hits of 2013 in Top Of The Pops – Christmas Day on BBC One – and they’ll return to BBC One to get the New Year party started in Top Of The Pops – New Year’s Eve.

Westminster Abbey: The First Eucharist of Christmas

On Christmas Eve this year, the traditional midnight service of Anglican Holy Communion is broadcast live from the historic and glorious setting of Westminster Abbey.

Westminster Abbey: Christmas Day Sung Eucharist

Christmas Day brings a joyful morning celebration of Holy Communion in Westminster Abbey: Christmas Day Sung Eucharist.

Would I Lie To You? – Christmas Special

Rob Brydon is back in the host’s chair for a festive edition of the hit comedy panel show – and as ever, David Mitchell and Lee Mack are the lightning-quick team captains.

Over the course of the show, a stellar cast of celebrity guests reveal amazing stories about themselves, some of which are true, and some of which are not. The aim of the game is to fool the opposition into mistaking fact for fiction and fiction for fact.

David Mitchell is joined by Miranda Hart and Stephen Mangan while Lee Mack is joined by Barry Cryer and Miles Jupp.