I absolutely love all the specials that are on TV over Christmas and new year. They’re usually some of the best programmes of the entire year, because the juiciest stories and highest budgets are saved for exactly this time: the most highly anticipated slots with the biggest viewing figures.
But it’s also one of the busiest times of the year! Multiples families to see, friends to catch up with, kids to entertain, parties to attend… and maybe a tiny bit of time to yourself with your new pressies if you get a sec? So I often find I’ve missed loads of the good TV, and if I forgot to buy a Radio Times, I end up not even knowing what shows I should be searching for on catch up!
So if you’ve been out and about, or just busy hibernating, here are my must-watch shows that you might’ve missed this festive season.
Dracula
I was ridiculously excited when I saw that the BBC were working on a new adaptation – Dracula is one of my favourite books and helped to form my love of horror. Whilst some people questioned how far the new adaptation strayed from the original, and its high level of gore, I personally loved it. It was created by Steven Moffat (who also writes and produces Doctor Who and Sherlock) and one of my absolute idols Mark Gatiss, who you might recognise from The League Of Gentlemen or Sherlock, and who’s extensive list of talents includes actor, comedian, screenwriter, director, producer and novelist.
The 3-part series follows Dracula as he carefully plots his move to Victorian London (and ultimately world domination), from the familiar Transylvanian castle to a newly imagined modern-day setting. We learn how Dracula survives and adapts throughout the years, more about all the old legends – stake to the heart, daylight and the power of the cross – and meet some familiar characters. There’s plenty of drama, a dash of camp, a huge heap of humour and more than a drop or two of blood, so if you can handle some gore, then this is the show for you.
There’s also a one-off documentary “In Search of Dracula with Mark Gatiss” if you fancy delving a little deeper into the literary culture and dark legend.
Great British Bake Off
The cast of Channel 4 comedy Derry Girls helped us ring in the new year with a festive special of the much-loved baking show. And true to their Irish roots, they were great craic – there was much hilarity, innuendo aplenty and some pretty appalling cooking.
And trust me – the sight of Paul, Prue, Noel and Sandi dressed as Nun’s and Irish schoolgirls is worth the watch alone.
A Christmas Carol
I know Christmas is over now, but good TV is good TV right?! And you won’t want to miss this original take on Charles Dickens’s classic ghost story. It boasts an impressive cast, including Guy Pearce and Andy Serkis, and follows the infamous miser Ebenezer Scrooge as he’s haunted by three ghosts on Christmas Eve and confronted with a lifetime of his own cold and heartless actions.
It’s from the creator of Peaky Blinders and Taboo, and Tom Hardy and Ridley Scott are amongst the Executive Producers, so it’s no Muppets Christmas Carol that’s for sure. It might be set in the past, but it’s been brought bang up to date with some of the themes and, ahem, language. So if you like the dark, gritty and stylised approach found in Peaky Blinders, you’ll love this.
Gavin and Stacey
Possibly the most talked about TV reunion ever, Gavin and Stacey returned to our screens for a one-off special on Christmas Day. The hour-long episode sees all our favourite characters reunited, nearly 10 years on from where the last episode left off. Gav and Stace now have 3 kids (with familiar royal names…) and are in a bit of relationship rut. So, Stacey looks to her best friend Ness for advice. Only Ness is in no place to give it, as she once again drunkenly falls into bed with Smithy, who has a rather dull and posh new girlfriend.
Whilst the episode is a brand-new story, you can still find all the familiar themes – the will-they/won’t-they relationship between Ness and Smithy, the hilarious marriage woes between Dawn and Pete, and the stifled middle-aged camp from Bryn – making it feel like a wonderfully comforting trip down memory lane. And you won’t be disappointed with the liberal sprinkling of familiar catchphrases either. But we still don’t find out what happened on that bloody fishing trip!
Miranda: My Such Fun Celebration
It’s not for everyone, but if you were a fan of Miranda Hart’s self-titled sitcom, then this is a must watch. It’s not a new episode, more a variety show hosted by Miranda herself, celebrating the original TV programme with sentimental warmth and familiar humour.
She chats to the original cast, reminds us of some of the funniest moments and let’s us have a little look behind the scenes, and it’s all punctuated by live performances from people like McFly and the cast of Mamma Mia.
The best part for me was when Miranda was surprised with a video montage of regular people sharing how the show had helped them through dark times in their lives, made them feel more confident and less alone – and as a tall, slightly awkward and ridiculous human myself, I shed a little tear. This is definitely perfect Sunday afternoon and blanket viewing.
I hope you enjoy my top picks of the festive season – let me know what you’ve watched below!
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