TV Times tops picks for Christmas Day
What’s on telly tonight? Here the TV Times team of expert reviewers highlight the best shows on Christmas Day
Victoria, 9.00pm, ITV
There’s always someone in every family who goes just that bit too OTT with the yuletide decorations, and for the Royals that’s Prince Albert (see our Victoria feature), who gleefully declares that Christmas is his favourite time of the year! This treat of a festive episode sees the consort decorate every available surface with baubles, lights and trees and take the family skating and sledging. But Victoria struggles to summon up any Christmas cheer until she’s given the gift of a little African girl, Sarah, who she tries to make part of her family. Meanwhile, below stairs, there’s a lively servants’ ball and, as snooty Penge makes an investment for his future, Skerrett gets some financial news of her own…Rating: *****
Call the Midwife, 7.40pm, BBC1
A bit of snow at this time of year is a welcome sight, but you can have too much of a good thing, as proves the case when Nonnatus House’s jolly Christmas Day is followed by the Big Freeze, which kicks in on Boxing Day and throws the team’s work into chaos. While Valerie helps a pregnant woman living in a caravan, Sister Julienne tries to reunite a family torn apart by abuse – cue an emotional guest spot from Anita Dobson. Thankfully, Nurse Crane offers light relief as she locks horns with a policeman, and Fred’s panto turn is a sight to behold! Prepare for tears and laughter in equal measure – we wouldn’t have it any other way. Rating: *****
Doctor Who, 5.30pm, BBC1
Settle down for Doctor Who three ways in this hour of family fun. With Peter Capaldi and showrunner Steve Moffat taking their final bow, Twice Upon a Time is emotional, entertaining and very festive. The story sees the first Doctor (David Bradley) team up with his current incarnation, and features the first look at Jodie Whittaker as the new Doctor. Rating: *****
Highway Rat, 4.45pm, BBC1
David Tennant voices the villainous rodent who steals from other animals just for the pure fun of it! Made by the same team who brought Stick Man and The Gruffalo to the small screen, this cartoon adaptation of the famous story may not be quite as Christmassy as those but is enjoyable nonetheless, with a moral message at its heart. Rating: *****
Mrs Brown’s Boys, 10.00pm, BBC1
Foul-mouthed matriarch Agnes Brown (Brendan O’Carroll - who's told us why Christmas is magical for him) serves up some seasonal belly laughs. It seems Agnes’s Christmas tree has a mind of its own, and Dermot and Buster are all dressed in festive get-up. But there’s something different about Rory… Rating: *****
More previews tomorrow.
