There are some British TV shows that are truly traditional to watch at Christmas. Think the Queen’s Speech, Carols at Kings and, of course, the period dramas.
Yes, you can count on the festive season to serve us fresh, new period dramas and 2021 is no exception. So here’s my seasonal guide to ALL the new period dramas and Christmas specials you can watch on British TV this year.
Christmas Eve
The Amazing Mr Blunden – Sky Max – 7pm
Long time followers will know I love my spooky history, so its no surprise I’m a big fan of the tradition of telling ghost stories on Christmas Eve. But now that tradition has transferred to the TV.
In a remake of a 70s classic, for modern teenagers Lucy and Jamie, adventure arrives in the form of a mysterious old man with a job offer – as caretakers to a ruined old house that’s said to be haunted. With his help, Lucy and Jamie must travel back in time to 1821 to save their *spoiler alert* spooky ghost friends.
King of all things spooky Mark Gatiss writes, directs and stars in this spooky festive tale, so we can expect good things!
All Creatures Great and Small – Channel 5 – 9pm
The honour of the first period drama Christmas special being aired in 2021 goes to All Creatures Great and Small. This revived period drama chronicles the heart warming and humorous adventures of a young country vet in Yorkshire.
In this festive episode Helen and James face a bit of a Christmas dilemma, and a beloved local pet falls seriously ill. But given the time of year it is, I’m sure everything will turn out all right in the end!
A Ghost Story For Christmas: The Mezzotint – BBC2 – 10.30pm
I’m being spoilt for choice this year with TWO ghost stories on Christmas Eve!
Mark Gatiss is back with an adaptation of a tale by the legendary M.R. James. Laced with his trademark terror, The Mezzotint will guarantee a chill in the air for viewers this Christmas. Set in 1992, within an old English college, antiques expert Edward Williams (played by Rory Kinnear) receives an engraving of a haunting country house.
Given the time of the day this is airing, I don’t think this will be one for the faint hearted!
Christmas Day
Can you believe that Call The Midwife is nearly on its eleventh series?! The Christmas specials are almost as staple a part of Christmas Day as the Queen’s Speech!
This year’s special features a heart warming Christmas wedding for nurse Lucille – but not without some last minute hitches!
Christmas chaos is the theme of the new The Larkins Christmas special.
Expect burglars, power cuts, Nativity play mishaps and grumpy in-laws in this revised adaptation of the popular Darling Buds of May. Starring Bradley Walsh.
Boxing Day
Around The World In 80 Days – BBC1 – 5.50pm
I am so looking forward to this new adaptation as I am such a fan of David Tennant!
The former Doctor Who takes on the role of gentleman adventurer Phileas Fogg, who sets out on a quest to travel around the world and back home in a period of 80 days in this romp of a production. The soundtrack is also provided by the legendary composer Hans Zimmer.
This is an eight-part series with the first two episodes airing on Boxing Day, and is guaranteed to entertain us well into the 2022.
A Very British Scandal – BBC1 – 9pm
It’s a close run competition, but I think this is the period drama I am most looking forward to this Christmas.
A Very British Scandal focuses on the divorce of the Duke and Duchess of Argyll, one of the most notorious and brutal legal cases of the 20th century.
Margaret, Duchess of Argyll, dominated the front pages, as the divorce exposed accusations of forgery, theft, violence, drug-taking, bribery, and an explicit Polaroid picture that was to haunt her for the rest of her life. Claire Foy and Paul Bettany lead an all star cast.
This is a three-part mini series, starting on Boxing Day and airing on three consecutive nights.
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