The Christmas Specials We’ll be Watching

Think of Christmas and what comes to mind? Family and friends? Great food and lovely gifts? Decorations and snow? The baby Jesus surrounded by all those admirers? Well, yes, but for us, Christmas also means great telly.

These are the Christmas specials we’ll be watching this holiday season.

 Sherlock – The Empty Hearse

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We were all praying at the end of Sherlock that the great detective was faking his own death, and when the name of the Christmas special was announced – The Empty Hearse – we knew he was able to escape. But this Christmas, Sherlock is the one providing the mystery: how exactly did he do it?

Doctor Who – The Time Of The Doctor

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We were glued to our seats during The Day of The Doctor, the 50th anniversary special, so we’re expecting great things for the Christmas special. In it, The Doctor and Clara must interpret strange signals coming from a planet in the middle of nowhere, as they hold some meaning for the Doctor personally.

The Great British Bake Off Christmas Special

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Give your Christmas puds the GBBO treatment with this special. It is essentially a masterclass, where we learn the tricks and tips for perfect holiday baking. Our teachers are Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood, of course, and it is a must-watch – assuming you haven’t eaten so much that the sight of food causes you physical pain.

Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special

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If you want to take a break from all the food, tune in to the Strictly Christmas special. The Saturdays’ Rochelle, DJ Sarah Cox and comedian Rufus Hound will join Brucie and Tess for a holiday-themed dance spectacular.

Downton Abbey

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The Downton Christmas special is a blessed two hours long, but it is set in the summer. Still, it’s a nice break from all the cheery Christmas themes. Expect the Americans to show up and shake things up, and hopefully we can get some answers to the questions we had at the end of the last episode.

Call the Midwife

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Call the Midwife kicks off its Christmas special with a bombshell – literally. They find an unexploded bomb, which means the block has to be cordoned off so it can be disposed of. The bomb has a knock-on effect for Shelagh’s wedding, and it forces all the nuns and nurses out of Nonnatus House and into new accommodations.

Various religious services

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Explore the meaning behind the holiday with the broadcast of several lovely religious services. Songs of Praise will have its Big Sing, and The First Eucharist of Christmas and the Christmas Day Sung Eucharist at Westminster Abbey will be shown live. There will also be a message from the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, in the New Year.

The Queen’s Christmas Message

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The perennial favourite is always something to look forward to. It just wouldn’t be Christmas without the Queen’s Christmas message.

 

Those are the Christmas specials we’re looking forward to this holiday season. Which ones are you going to tune in to?