While Christmas might be about spending time with loved ones and a roast with all the trimmings, we all know that what we’re actually looking forward to is the TV specials (we’re still not over the tear-jerking Gavin & Stacey finale). This year, the TV angels have outdone themselves with some extra special stocking fillers in the shape of surprise celebrity guest stars, including both Doctor Who’s Pearl Mackie and Ted Lasso’s Billy Harris appearing like shiny baubles in the upcoming Death in Paradise Christmas special.
There’s plenty more where that came from too, including an Ab Fab reunion in the festive edition of Amandaland, a Grantchester star delving into the world of antique crime in The Madame Blanc Mysteries and a Strictly winner swapping the ballroom for the Taskmaster House in Taskmaster’s New Year Treat. Frankly, we can’t wait to be glued to our sofas! So, without further ado, these are the 7 unmissable festive TV specials to watch this Christmas – and all the celebrity surprises in store.
Death in Paradise Christmas Special
BBC/Red Planet Pictures/Philippe Virapin//BBC
The Death in Paradise Christmas special is always an event – and this year is no exception. Joining DI Mervin Wilson (Don Gilet) for Christmas in the Caribbean are a whole host of special guests, including Doctor Who’s Pearl Mackie, Ted Lasso’s Billy Harris and Waterloo Road’s James Baxter. But, sadly for them, they aren’t going to be able to enjoy the sunshine or the Christmas spirit as a party takes a dark turn when a body is found at the bottom of a villa’s pool. The case becomes even more perplexing when DI Wilson discovers the murder weapon was locked in a drawer thousands of miles away in Swindon as the murder took place. The Death in Paradise Christmas Special is coming to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this December.
Beyond Paradise Christmas Special
BBC /Red Planet Pictures Joss Barratt
Beyond Paradise isn’t going to let Death in Paradise take all the Christmas glory as it has its own unmissable festive special with some very exciting faces making an appearance. In Shipton Abbott, the guest arrivals docking into the Devon seaside town for holidays include Adrian Edmondson (Alien: Earth), James Lance (Ted Lasso) and Jonny Weldon (One Day). This means our dependable Detective Inspector, Humphry Goodman (Kris Marshall), is exactly having a restful Christmas break, particularly when a mysterious man shows up at the police station, claiming to know him. The Beyond Paradise Christmas Special is coming to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this December.
Richard Osman’s Festive House of Games
BBC/Remarkable Television/Graeme Hunter
Eight excitable celebrity guests will be going (mistle)toe to (mistle)toe in Richard Osman’s Festive House of Games. Richard has pulled out his rolodex of celebrity contacts, securing the likes of Gavin & Stacey’s Joanna Page, former Bake Off presenter Mel Giedroyc, Ghosts’ Mathew Baynton and Last One Laughing’s Harriet Kemsley. Also taking on a series of festive-themed quiz rounds will be Strictly’s Molly Rainford, Flight of the Conchords’ Rhys Darby and EastEnders’ Charles Venn. The perfect cosy watch while curled up on the sofa with a cup of tea and a mince pie! Richard Osman’s Festive House of Games is coming to BBC Two and BBC iPlayer this December.
Taskmaster’s New Year Treat
Channel 4
We can all be guilty of succumbing to the post-Christmas slump, so thankfully Taskmaster’s New Year Treat is arriving just in time to banish those blues. And what a cast the Channel 4 show has in store for us! Strictly’s Rose Ayling-Ellis, Eurovision’s Sam Ryder, former Lioness Jill Scott, Countdown’sSusie Dent and TV chef and musician Big Zuu’s are all attempting to impress the formidable Taskmaster (Greg Davies) over a series of peculiar but brilliantly fun tasks. And, for the first time ever, Taskmaster’s New Year Treat with double-helping of two episodes. We never say no to seconds! Taskmaster’s New Year Treat is coming to Channel 4 this December.
The Madame Blanc Mysteries Christmas Special
© 5 Broadcasting Limited / Clapperboard Productions / Photographer: Mark Cassar//Channel 5
We’re always in the mood for a detective drama no matter the time of year, so we were thrilled when The Madame Blanc Mysteries announced it was returning for a Christmas special, outdoing Father Christmas with not one, but two presents. First to unwrap are the exceptional guest stars: Cold Feet’s John Thomson, Grantchester’s Kacey Ainsworth, Hollyoaks’Raji James and Trigger Point’s Manjinder Virk. Secondly, the festive episode is extra-long at 120 minutes! Investigator Jean White (Sally Lindsay) will also be feeling the Christmas glow – though not in the way she hoped, as in the special, she’s invited to authenticate an Ormolu box once owned by Marie Antoinette, only to discover a ticking time bomb hidden inside. The Madame Blanc Mysteries will air on Channel 5 this December.
Amandaland Christmas Special
BBC/Merman/Natalie Seery
Ab Fab fans, you’re in for the ultimate Christmas treat! Dame Joanna Lumley is returning as Amanda’s (Lucy Punch) hyper-critical mother, Felicity, and she’s bringing none other than Jennifer Saunders with her. Jennifer is playing Aunt Joan, Felicity’s sister, and is a “ball of country-living enthusiastic upper-class bluster – very, very different from Felicity,” according to the BBC. Though the plot details for the Christmas special are being kept under wraps, we’d put money on Aunt Joan on making more of a sensational entrance than Father Christmas himself. The Amandaland Christmas special is coming to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this December.
Sara Davies’ Christmas Craft Off
BBC/Twenty Six 03 Entertainment LTD/Nicky Johnston
In need of some Christmas decoration inspiration with a side of celebrity guests? ITV has got you covered with Sara Davies’ Christmas Craft Off,. Stars, including Dani Dyer, Tameka Empson, Lisa Riley and Olly Smith, will help Sara make everything from bespoke baubles to gorgeous garlands in the ultimate Christmas crafting masterclass. At the end of the five-part series, the celebrities’ creations will be showcased in a Christmas room, where Sara will host a festive feast for key workers who won’t get to spend Christmas Day with their loved ones. How lovely! Sara Davies’ Christmas Craft Off arrives on ITV1 and ITVX on Friday 21st November at 2pm.
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