Yahoo News The BBC's Christmas TV highlights for 2021: Death In Paradise, Doctor Who and more
The BBC always delivers a feast of festive telly treats, and 2021 is no different.
There are lots of warm and fuzzy shows to see you through the holiday season and get you in the Yuletide mood, from Christmas specials to eagerly-awaited new series.
We've compiled a list of what to look out for, whether you're in the mood for a thriller like The Tourist, starring Jamie Dornan, or cuddly kids' fare like the animated Christmas Day treat Superworm.
And, of course, it wouldn't be the holiday season without Call The Midwife, a new adventure for Doctor Who (on New Year's Day instead of Christmas Day this year) and a Strictly Christmas Special…
Christmas on BBC One
The Girl Before
Airs on BBC One, December 19, 9pm.
Based on the JP Delaney psychological thriller, four-part series The Girl Before should have viewers on the edge of their seats in the lead-up to Christmas.
Gugu Mbatha-Raw plays Jane, a woman who moves into a stunning, minimalist house designed by an enigmatic architect (David Oyelowo) – the only catch being that occupants have to follow his strict list of rules.
Things take a turn for the worse when Jane discovers shocking news about the house's previous resident, Emma (Eastenders' Jessica Plummer), and is forced to confront the similarities between them. Could Jane's fate be the same as the girl before?
Ghosts Christmas Special
Airs on BBC One, December 23, 8.30pm.
Those Button House spooks are back for another Christmas special, and in this episode Kitty becomes convinced that Santa has arrived early when Mike and Alison discover a man living in a tent on their grounds.
All our favourite characters return, of course, including lovelorn Thomas, disgraced MP Julian, Lady Button, headless Humphrey, scoutmaster Pat, the Captain, Mary and fan-favourite Robin the caveman.
Superworm
Airs on BBC One, December 25, 2.30pm.
Last year the BBC teamed up with author Julia Donaldson and illustrator Alex Scheffler for the adorable animated Zog And The Flying Doctors (previous collaborations include The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child, Stickman, The Highway Rat and Room on the Broom), and this year their children's book Superworm is one of the highlights of Christmas Day TV for kids.
Superworm isn't any old worm – he's super-long and super-strong, and always ready to help those in need in this adventure.
Olivia Colman narrates the story, while former Doctor Who star Matt Smith voices Superworm and is joined by Patricia Allison (Sex Education) as Butterfly, and Rob Brydon (Would I Lie To You?) as Crow.
Strictly Come Dancing
Airs on BBC One, December 25, 7.10pm.
Six new celebrities will be taking to the dance floor to compete to be the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Champion for 2021.
Adrian Chiles, broadcaster Moira Stuart, singer Anne-Marie, TV presenter Mel Giedroyc, furniture restorer Jay Blades (The Repair Shop) and First Dates star and maître d’hotel Fred Sirieix have been announced as the dancing contestants, while Craig Revel Horwood, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas will be judging the celebrities’ dance moves.
Call The Midwife Christmas Special
Airs on BBC One, December 25, 8pm.
There are wedding bells as well as snow in the air in Call The Midwife's 2021 Christmas special.
Lucille and Cyril are due to tie the knot, but there are births, too-tight Santa trousers, an unconventional cure, and the return of Mother Mildred to deal with before they can attempt to make it down the aisle.
Around the World in 80 Days
Airs on BBC One, December 26, 5.50pm.
Jules Verne's classic 19th-century novel gets a new retelling, with Doctor Who's David Tennant starring as explorer Phileas Fogg in this eight-part series that begins with a Boxing Day double episode.
Following an outrageous bet, Fogg and his valet, Passepartout (Ibrahim Koma) set out to circumnavigate the globe in just 80 days, and are joined on their adventures by journalist Abigail 'Fix' Fortescue (Leonie Benesch).
Death In Paradise Christmas Special
Airs on BBC One, December 26, 7.30pm.
BBC's tropical detective drama gets its first Christmas special.
Neville (Ralf Little) is preparing to return to the UK for the holiday season to see his family, but when a billionaire shipping magnate dies, his plans drastically change. The team are already a member down as Florence has gone away for Christmas, so retired officer Dwayne Myers (Danny John-Jules) returns to help out.
The Christmas special also includes guest appearances from Mathew Baynton (Ghosts), Juliet Stevenson (Riviera), and Anthony Calf (Poldark).
A Very British Scandal
Airs on BBC One, December 26, 9pm.
This three-part historical drama follows the real-life divorce of the Duke and Duchess of Argyll that scandalised British society in 1963.
The Crown's Claire Foy and WandaVision's Paul Bettany star as the Duke and Duchess, whose acrimonious court case involved accusations of theft and bribery, secret recordings and – juiciest of all – a famously explicit Polaroid photo (known for featuring the Duchess and an unidentified 'headless man' in a compromising position).
Doctor Who
Airs on BBC One, January 1, time TBC
The New Year's Day special is the first of three 2022 episodes featuring Jodie Whittaker's final appearances as the Doctor (the second and third will air in the spring and autumn).
In 'Eve of the Daleks', Aisling Bea (This Way Up) stars as Sarah, who runs ELF storage, while Adjani Salmon (Dreaming Whilst Black) is Nick, a customer who visits his storage unit every New Year's Eve. Apparently, on this particular New Year, "their night turns out to be a little different than planned…", thanks to a visit from the Doctor, Dan and Yaz who are in a battle with some pesky Daleks.
The Tourist
Airs on BBC One, January 1, 9pm.
Jamie Dornan is the man being pursued by a tank truck trying to drive him off the road in the Australian outback in this tense thriller.
When he later wakes up in hospital, he doesn’t remember who he is, and has no idea why people are pursuing him.
The limited series also stars Danielle Macdonald (Unbelievable) and Shalom Brune-Franklin (Our Girl).
Christmas on BBC Two
Christmas University Challenge
Airs on BBC Two, from December 20, 8.30pm.
Courtauld Institute of Art won this Christmas slice of University Challenge last year, and now a new set of teams – made up of noteworthy alumni – are quizzed by Jeremy Paxman.
No details of the famous/notable competitors have been released yet, but previous years' contestants have included presenter and priest Richard Coles, novelist Frank Cottrell-Boyce, and comedian and author Charlie Higson.
Andi Oliver's A Taste Of Home At Christmas
Airs on BBC Two, December 21, 9pm.
Chef and foodie Andi Oliver cooks up a Christmas-themed programme, where three families will share their traditions and tried and tested seasonal recipes with her.
Featuring classic recipes and new dishes, the episode was filmed in Glasgow and embraces the culture and tastes of the lively Scottish city.
A Ghost Story for Christmas: The Mezzotint
Airs on BBC Two, December 24, 10.30pm.
For those who fancy something spooky during the holiday season, make sure you check out this chilling 1920s-set drama from the pen of MR James.
Without revealing too much, the synopsis reads: "It's 1922 and in the heart of an old English college, Edward Williams receives an engraving of an unknown country house. An imposing facade. A sweeping lawn. And, just perhaps, something else…?"
Rory Kinnear (Years And Years) stars as Williams, alongside Robert Bathurst (Cold Feet) and Frances Barber (Medici).
Don't forget to check out ITV's schedule and Channel 4's festive highlights.
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