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Christmas TV guide: What to watch, from The Great Christmas Bake Off to Gavin and Stacey

All the best dramas, comedies and reunion specials you should tune into over the festive break

Wednesday 25 December 2019 08:00 GMT

Dracula: New BBC series trailer released

After gorging ourselves on mince pies, drinking too much, pretending to be delighted at rubbish gifts and fighting about Brexit, a lot of us just like to curl up on the sofa and watch television at Christmas.

There are, of course, a lot of repeats, but there are also dozens of dramas, comedies and reunion specials airing over the festive period.

A lot of it is still Not Very Good, though, so here’s our pick of what is genuinely worth watching over Christmas.

Check out our list of the best things on television between 22 December and New Year’s Day, below...

The 30 best TV shows of the decade

Show all 30

1/30The 30 best TV shows of the decade

The 30 best TV shows of the decade

30. Homeland (season 1, 2011)

Few dead horses have been more flogged, but if you stretch your mind back enough, it is possible to remember a series with a fantastic premise that kept us guessing for 12 whole episodes. The question: had returning war hero Sgt Brody (Damian Lewis) been radicalised in a foreign jail cell? CIA officer Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes) thought so, but she had plenty of problems of her own. I still think it would have been better if he'd detonated at the denouement. Twisty, compelling, briefly essential. (EC)

Showtime

The 30 best TV shows of the decade

29. Mum (2016-2019)

The slow-burning relationship between Cathy (Lesley Manville), a widow and mother of superhuman forbearance, and her late husband’s best pal Michael (Peter Mullan) elevated what could have been a run-of-the-mill suburban comedy into a beautifully composed portrait of friendship, grief and mid-life romance. (FS)

BBC

The 30 best TV shows of the decade

28. Handmaid's Tale (2017- )

Hulu’s adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s 1985 novel, set in a pious patriarchal state, lost its way in the second series, but the first, which arrived a few months after Trump entered the White House, was a triumph. As Offred, Elisabeth Moss seethed under her mask of impassivity, while the rich palette gave us a dystopian nightmare as imagined by the 17th-century Dutch school. (FS)

Hulu

The 30 best TV shows of the decade

27. Money Heist (2017- )

Perhaps the trashiest show on this list, but trash of the highest grade, Money Heist is Netflix's most popular non-English series, a hit across Europe and South America, with 34m accounts watching this year's Part 3 in its first week of release. A mysterious mastermind known as The Professor gathers together a crew of misfit criminals to execute a robbery on the Royal Mint in Spain. Tense, funny, clever and often completely preposterous, La Casa del Papel has only been held back by its off-putting English title. (EC)

Netflix

The 30 best TV shows of the decade

26. Rick and Morty (2013- )

It unfortunately inspired some of the worst fans on the internet, but that shouldn't detract from Rick and Morty's inventiveness. Ostensibly a parody of Back to the Future, about the adventures of a young boy and his alcoholic, mad scientist grandfather, the cartoon uses its set-up to put its heroes in an endless number of frenetic, frequently insane situations. Blink and you miss a gag and two pop-culture references. (EC)

Adult Swim

The 30 best TV shows of the decade

25. The Returned (2012-2015)

This exquisite French series is about the dead trying to return to their old lives in a secluded mountain town dispensed with the usual gory zombie tropes, instead dwelling on the human instincts of these confused beings – specifically their desire to love and be loved – and the grief experienced by those they left behind. (FS)

Channel 4

The 30 best TV shows of the decade

24. Catastrophe (2015-19)

Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney were a masterful double act in this sitcom about a holiday fling resulting in an unplanned pregnancy. The pair’s attempts to build a life together yielded scabrous gags about sex and post-partum leakage, a cameo from the late Carrie Fisher and an underlying tenderness that resisted spilling into sentimentality. (FS)

Channel 4

The 30 best TV shows of the decade

23. Killing Eve (2018-)

A wicked cocktail of comedy and humanity, shock and gore, the first series of Killing Eve, written by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, was a subversive joy. Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer played, respectively, a spy and an assassin whose continental game of cat-and-mouse was a blood-spattered love story for the ages. Sadly, when Waller-Bridge handed off writing duties in the second series, the magic wasn't quite the same. (FS)

BBC/BBC America

The 30 best TV shows of the decade

22. Borgen (2010-2013)

The Killing may have started the Scandi craze, but it aired in Denmark in 2007, so it doesn't count for these purposes. Borgen was everything The West Wing wasn't: a cliché-resistant drama that showed politics in grating reality, with plenty of plausible schemers in slick outfits and a wonderful central performance by Sidse Babett Knudsen as Birgitte Nyborg, the Prime Minister trying to balance principles with power. (EC)

DR Fiktion

The 30 best TV shows of the decade

21. Detectorists (2014-17)

Following the exploits of Lance (Toby Jones) and Andy (Mackenzie Crook), dedicated treasure hunters and members of the Danebury Metal Detecting Club, Detectorists was about people and their passions, community and camaraderie. It’s a wonderfully tranquil meditation on male companionship. (FS)

BBC

The 30 best TV shows of the decade

20. The Americans (2013-2018)

Where other series burn brightly and fade after a couple of years, FX's Cold War spy drama took its time. Matthew Rhys and Kerri Russell, married in real life, shone as the Russian couple working as spies in suburban Washington DC. The tension built over six seasons to a magnificent finale, rewarding those who stuck with it. (EC)

Patrick Harbron/FX via AP

The 30 best TV shows of the decade

19. The Leftovers (2014-2017)

The premise is one of the most intriguing in television: people struggling to come to terms with something called the "Sudden Departure", a mysterious event in whichtwo per cent of the world's population simply disappeared. Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta's drama received iffy reviews at first, but its reputation grew through its second and final outings, with writing and performances that explored the full depth of the setup without losing the pervasive air of mystery. (EC)

HBO

The 30 best TV shows of the decade

18. The Crown (2016- )

The third series is a noticeable drop-off in quality, but for two series The Crown achieved a number of unexpected feats. It made viewers genuinely interested in the Royal Family, and not in a Prince Andrew "should they go to prison?" kind of way. With sumptuous sets and costumes and some excellent performances, especially Claire Foy as the young monarch, this remains the high-water mark of Netflix polish – proof that money can, sometimes, buy you love. (EC)

Netflix/PA

The 30 best TV shows of the decade

17. The Great British Bake Off (2010- )

Reports of the death of TV’s baking behemoth have been greatly exaggerated: despite host departures, a channel move and the off-screen antics of a certain perma-tanned judge, this big-hearted competition in which friendships are forged and adults weep over sagging soufflés remains the ultimate feel-good reality show. (FS)

Channel 4

The 30 best TV shows of the decade

16. The Trip (2010- )

Two men bicker over bottles of fine wine. Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon’s low-key, semi-improvised and implausibly funny tours of high-end European restaurants saw the pair’s insecurities deliciously laid bare as they discussed sex, ageing and ambition. Michael Winterbottom directed. (FS)

IFC Films

The 30 best TV shows of the decade

15. Happy Valley (2014- )

This Yorkshire-set, Bafta-festooned series gave us Catherine Cawood (Sarah Lancashire), a pleasingly complex, no-nonsense police sergeant up to her neck in rapists, murderers, addicts and the odd ailing sheep, together with some superbly earthy dialogue courtesy of writer Sally Wainwright. (FS)

BBC

The 30 best TV shows of the decade

14. Girls (2012-2017)

Without Girls there is no Fleabag or Adam Driver, and it would probably merit inclusion on those two facts alone. But Lena Dunham now attracts as much opprobrium as praise, and it's easy to forget how new her breakthrough comedy felt in its naturalistic depiction of young women in New York. This was Sex and the City for people who spent more time on Instagram than at work, created by people the same age as those they were portraying. Its look and feel have cast a long shadow. (EC)

Rex Features

The 30 best TV shows of the decade

13. Sherlock (2010- )

Witty, inventive and dazzling to look at, Steven Moffatt and Mark Gatiss’s relocation of the Arthur Conan Doyle stories to the present day worked beautifully, as did the casting of Benedict Cumberbatch as the “high-functioning sociopath” Holmes and Martin Freeman as the put-upon army veteran Watson. While later series would drift, the first three were unbeatable. (FS)

BBC

The 30 best TV shows of the decade

12. Chernobyl (2019)

A five-part drama about a nuclear disaster in 1986 is not the most promising prospect for a night in with a bottle of wine. It is a tribute to the writer, Craig Mazin, and director, Johan Renck, as well as its cast, especially Jared Harris, that Chernobyl managed to be totally gripping, with frequent moments of stark, horrendous beauty. (EC)

HBO

The 30 best TV shows of the decade

11. Atlanta (2016- )

At first, the musician and comedian Donald Glover's series about struggling rappers in Atlanta looked like a familiar, safe kind of sitcom about loveable losers. But it quickly evolved into something fresh: a smart, occasionally surreal examination of life at the margins of America, whose angry heart never spilled into preachiness or got in the way of the jokes. (EC)

AP

The 30 best TV shows of the decade

10. Love Island (2015- )

Who could have anticipated a dating show in which twenty-somethings sit around in microscopic swimwear would tell us so much about the human condition? Gaslighting, bromances, the complexities of “girl code” – Love Island delved beneath the spray tans and schooled the nation on modern manners. (FS)

Rex Features

The 30 best TV shows of the decade

9. Patrick Melrose (2018)

An electrifying study of addiction, trauma and the corrupting power of privilege, based on the autobiographical books by Edward St Aubyn. Benedict Cumberbatch played the feckless antihero grappling with his past and trying (and mostly failing) to be better than the wretched aristos that raised him. (FS)

Sky

The 30 best TV shows of the decade

8. The Vietnam War (2017)

Ken Burns's epic 10-part documentary followed up his other conflict opuses, on The Civil War and The War, with a detailed story about Vietnam. Using new interviews from both sides as well as archive footage, the documentary shows in unrelenting detail a catastrophe that unfolded in slow motion. Some critics accused it of underserving the experience of the Vietnamese civilians. But it left viewers in no doubt that not only did the US leadership pursue it long after it was a lost cause, but they knew from the start it was unwinnable. (EC)

Trailer screenshot

The 30 best TV shows of the decade

7. Black Mirror (2011- )

Charlie Brooker sent every other TV critic, or at least one of them, into a spiral of envy by proving not only that it was possible to cross over into creation, but to do so in style. Black Mirror's taut near-future tales of techno-dystopia are almost always interesting, even if they sometimes fall short of their ambitions, as with the high-concept recent film, "Bandersnatch". The best episodes, like 2016's tour de force, "San Junipero", are gripping examinations of human connection in a world where interactions are increasingly by screens. (EC)

Getty Images

The 30 best TV shows of the decade

6. Blue Planet II (2017)

The first of the Attenborough documentaries to speak directly of the human impact on the natural world, this kaleidoscopic ocean odyssey provided a visual feast of clam-cracking tuskfish, alien-looking pyrosomes and anthropomorphic dolphins, while reminding us how it could all be lost. (FS)

BBC

The 30 best TV shows of the decade

5. BoJack Horseman (2014- )

Only in a world of Netflix budgets can you imagine a concept as wild as BoJack Horseman’s getting off the ground. It's a cartoon set in LA, ostensibly a comedy about celebrity, except half the characters, including its lead, are anthropomorphised animals. Halfway through its final season, which has been split into two, its initial zaniness has given way to something darker and more interesting. Lurid colours and visual wit dress one of the most humane explorations of depression, addiction and cycles of abuse. (EC)

Netflix

The 30 best TV shows of the decade

4. Fleabag (2016-19)

What began, in its first series, as an enjoyably acid-tongued portrait of modern womanhood became a fully fledged masterpiece in the second. Written by and starring Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Fleabag gave us perfectly calibrated scenes of familial dysfunction and sexual longing – the latter memorably culminating in the Priest’s simple, thrilling instruction: “Kneel.” (FS)

BBC

The 30 best TV shows of the decade

3. This is England (2010-15)

The first spin-off series from Shane Meadows’ 2007 film, about a gang of ex-skinheads from the Midlands, was set during the 1986 World Cup, and remains one of the great British dramas, depicting working class lives with humanity and humour. This is England ’88 and ’90 followed, both of them similarly infused with heart and soul. (FS)

Channel 4

The 30 best TV shows of the decade

2. Succession (2018- )

Said to have been a decade in the making, Succession is worth every minute spent on it. Brian Cox enjoys a dream of a late-career role as Logan Roy, the ageing media tycoon unwilling to relinquish control of his company to any of his ungrateful and talentless children. There's oblivious eldest son Connor (Alan Ruck), troubled addict Kendall (Jeremy Strong), scheming daughter Shiv (Sarah Snook) and abrasive youngest Roman (Kieran Culkin), along with a host of hangers-on, partners and support staff. None of them seem to have the right stuff. It's an intriguing set-up, but Succession is lifted by its script, performances, locations, costumes, music and direction, which place it firmly in a tradition of laughing at our rulers, where the mirth comes tempered with the knowledge that these are really the people in charge. (EC)

Graeme Hunter

The 30 best TV shows of the decade

1. Game of Thrones (2011-2019)

Yes, the final series went a bit weird. Maybe the final two series. A case could be made that the TV adaptation was never as emotionally resonant when it went beyond George RR Martin's novels. The final series were only disappointing compared to what had come before, which was a fantasy on an unprecedented scale that managed to be grandiose without slipping into melodrama. An invented universe with necromancers, dragons, magic swords and ice zombies was notable for its plausible realpolitik. At a time when viewing tastes were meant to be becoming more atomised, Game of Thrones was global event TV, which made household names of the Starks, Lannisters and Greyjoys and provided a whole generation of English character actors with a regular income. (EC)

AP

Sunday 22 December

A Christmas Carol, BBC1, 9pm

While there’s no Agatha Christie drama this year, cries of “Bah humbug!” should quieten down when viewers see Guy Pearce, Andy Serkis, Stephen Graham and Charlotte Riley star in a unique take on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. The new adaptation promises to be a “haunting, hallucinatory, spine-tingling immersion into Scrooge’s dark night of the soul”.

The Christmas Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan, BBC2, 9pm

Romesh Ranganathan in the Sahara (BBC)

Romesh Ranganathan is back with a Christmas special of his comedy travel show. After shivering his way through last year’s adventure to the Arctic, the comic fancied a bit of warm weather so the BBC sent him to the Sahara – where he filmed in up to 50 degree heat.

Christmas Eve

The Snowman, Channel 4, 3.50pm

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without Raymond Briggs’s elegiac classic about a young boy who makes a snowman that comes to life.

The Tiger Who Came to Tea, Channel 4, 7.30pm

The Tiger Who Came to Tea (Channel 4)

Benedict Cumberbatch, Tamsin Greig and David Oyelowo voice a new adaptation of Judith Kerr’s beloved picture book The Tiger Who Came to Tea. Oyelowo stars as the tea-guzzling jungle cat who turns up out of the blue to eat and drink a surprised family out of house and home. The film’s theme song “Hey Tiger!” is sung by Robbie Williams, who is all over this year’s Christmas music like a bad rash from a fake Santa beard, it seems.

Christmas Day

The Alternative Christmas Message, Channel 4, 2.25pm

Jeremy Corbyn won’t be watching the Queen’s Speech – but he might be able to spare five minutes for The Alternative Christmas Message. We don’t yet know who will be doing the honours this year, but past presenters have included Danny Dyer, the president of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whistle-blower Edward Snowden and Katie Piper, to name a few.

The Snail and the Whale, BBC1, 2.30pm

The snail cuddles the whale (BBC)

The Shape of Water star Sally Hawkins is cuddling up with a fish once more in this new adaptation of Julia Donaldson’s book about a restless young snail who wants to travel the world. Rob Brydon, meanwhile, plays the whale.

The Great Christmas Bake Off, Channel 4, 7.10pm

The Bake Off tent is taking a trip down nostalgia lane by bringing in Status Quo to play “Rockin’ All Over the World” while contestants from previous series of the show compete in festive-themed challenges for the title of Christmas Star Baker. Watch out for Paul Hollywood on Grinch duties.

Gavin & Stacey, BBC1, 8.30pm

The ‘Gavin & Stacey’ cast (BBC)

Despite being one of America’s biggest late-night talk-show hosts, James Corden found the time to reunite with Ruth Jones to write a festive special of their hit sitcom, Gavin & Stacey. In a comeback episode that somehow manages to be better than the originals, Joanna Page, Mathew Horne, Larry Lamb, Julia Davis and the rest of the cast return to Barry where Uncle Bryn (Rob Brydon) is on the verge of a nervous breakdown in his attempts to cook Christmas dinner.

Boxing Day

Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2019, Channel 4, 9pm

What meal did Donald Trump serve a visiting football team at the White House? How did Jennifer Aniston break the internet in 2019? These are among the questions that will be asked in this year’s chaotic edition of the Channel 4 quiz. Jimmy Carr and his laugh will be on hosting duties, with Maya Jama, Asim Chaudhry and Richard Ayoade among the celebrity contestants.

Would I Lie to You at Christmas?, BBC1, 9.30pm

‘Would I Lie to You at Christmas?’ (BBC)

Joining Santa’s naughty list this year with their tall tales will be Liz Bonnin and Stephen Merchant on David Mitchell’s team and Sharon Osbourne and Dr Ranj Singh on Lee Mack’s side in this glorious game of deception. Each story has a festive theme.

Sunday 29 December

The Trial of Christine Keeler, BBC1, 9pm

The Trial of Christine Keeler stars Sophie Cookson as the eponymous model and topless showgirl who was at the centre of the Profumo affair of 1963 – an event briefly and brilliantly covered in The Crown series 2. The drama, which promises to take a “fresh look at one of the biggest political stories of the 20th century”, also features James Norton, Ellie Bamber and Emilia Fox.

New Year’s Day

Doctor Who, BBC1, 6.55pm

‘Doctor Who’ (BBC)

Jodie Whittaker will be back to bend the rules of space and time alongside Bradley Walsh, Mandip Gill and Tosin Cole for a 12th series of new monsters and guest stars, including Stephen Fry and Lenny Henry.

The Great Festive Bake Off, Channel 4, 7.40pm

The girls of Derry and their wee English fella will be entering the tent to compete for the Star Baker title on New Year’s Day. Expect a higher dosage of baking innuendoes than usual from this mischievous bunch. There will also be a performance from the London Community Gospel Choir to keep things wholesome.

Dracula, BBC1, 9pm

Claes Bang as Dracula (BBC)

Sherlock creators Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss have reunited to bring Dracula to life in a new three-part drama which will offset all our Christmas cheer with a bit of blood and gore. The vampiric count will be played by Claes Bang – and judging by the trailer, it’s set to be a terrifying series.

Bancroft, ITV, 9pm

The first series of this hit drama was dropped quite suddenly into the schedules last year, after a show about the Hatton Garden heist was pulled at the last minute due to an ongoing court case. Now Bancroft is back for a second run starring Sarah Parish as a battle-hardened detective.

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