Best Christmas TV for 2025 – your guide to what's worth watching
Christmas is right around the corner, and nothing quite rings in the festive season without getting comfortable in front of the TV and tuning into various festive offerings and, fortunately, there are plenty of gems to look forward to on this year's schedule. From festive episodes of classics like Call the Midwife, All Creatures Great and Small and Death in Paradise to favourites and one-off specials including Amandaland, Mandy, Julia Donaldson's The Scarecrow's Wedding, Guz Khan's Stuffed and Brendan O'Carroll's Shedites, there's is plenty to look forward to! And the excitement doesn't stop at Christmas, with The Traitors and The Night Manager are returning to our screens for brand new seasons on New Year's Day. And if you're looking for a Christmas special of some of your entertainment favourites, then you're also in luck: there are festive episodes of The Masked Singer, Taskmaster, MasterChef and The Great British Sewing Bee on the horizon, while Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will host their final ever episode of Strictly Come Dancing. But there's no use telling you everything to expect – scroll on to find out for yourself what shows will be airing over the festive period and where to watch them. Best Christmas TV for 2025 – your guide to what's worth watching 1. Amandaland Christmas special It's time to return to SoHa, as Motherland spin-off Amandaland is back on our screens for a festive special! Lucy Punch reprises her hilarious leading role as Amanda, with Joanna Lumley as her mother Felicity. But it's a very special reunion this time round as Lumley will be joined by her Absolutely Fabulous partner in crime Jennifer Saunders, who will play her on-screen sister Aunt Joan – described as "a ball of country-living, enthusiastic upper-class bluster [and] very, very different from Felicity". The synopsis reads: "Amanda and the family head to Aunt Joan’s country house, but the plans change when Mal and Anne tag along and she struggles to recreate the magical Christmases she spent there as a child. "Anne’s in despair at being separated from her family, and Felicity is increasingly irritated by her sister’s constant high spirits. Meanwhile Mal sees a hidden photo that seems to reveal a deep family secret…" The Amandaland Christmas special will air on BBC One and iPlayer on Christmas Day at 9:15pm. 2. The Night Manager season 2 Nine years after the season 1 finale, The Night Manager returns for season 2 as Tom Hiddleston's Jonathan Pine returns for another action-packed mission. This time round, Pine is led to a violent encounter with a new player: Colombian businessman Teddy Dos Santos, played by Diego Calva. Other returning faces include Olivia Colman (The Crown) as Angela Burr, Alistair Petrie (Sex Education) as Sandy Langbourne, Douglas Hodge (Joker) as Rex Mayhew, Michael Nardone (Traces) as Frisky and Noah Jupe (A Quiet Place) as Daniel Roper. New faces also include Camila Morrone (Daisy Jones & The Six), Indira Varma (Doctor Who), Paul Chahidi (Wicked Little Letters), and Hayley Squires (Adult Material). The Night Manager season 2 will premiere on BBC One and iPlayer on New Year's Day 2026 (Thursday 1st January) at 9:05pm. 3. All Creatures Great and Small Christmas special "It’s Christmas 1945, the first peacetime Christmas after the war," reads the official synopsis for this festive episode. "With Helen feeling under the weather, it’s fallen on James to take on the Darrowby Nativity play." Elsewhere, "Siegfried is back at Mrs Stokes's Farm to see Hilda the goat, who’s been up to more mischief," while Mrs Hall is determined to win the Drovers' darts competition and take home the top prize: a turkey, which are in short supply due to the war. The Skeldale housekeeper "wants everyone to practise" to boost their chances, "but an old friend turns up surprising her and Siegfried" – with the vet making "a big decision about his future." Meanwhile, Tristan and Charlotte's relationship continues to go from strength to strength. All Creatures Great and Small Christmas special 2025 will air on 5 on Christmas Eve at 9pm. 4. Call the Midwife Christmas specials We're not just getting one Call the Midwife Christmas special this year, but two – and they're set to be their usual dose of heartwarming, emotional and hilarious. While plot details are under wraps for now, we do know that the episodes will feature a Poplar Christmas parade, several great costumes and things being more steady than ever between Trixie (Helen George) and Matthew (Olly Rix). Call the Midwife's two specials will air on BBC One and iPlayer at 8:15pm on Christmas Day and 8:30pm on Boxing Day respectively. 5. EastEnders This year's anticipated EastEnders Christmas special will feature a test of motherly love for Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) as it relates to daughter Zoe (Michelle Ryan), Pam St Clement and Shaun Williamson's surprise returns as Pat and Barry for Nigel's ongoing dementia storyline, Max Branning's (Jake Wood) flash forward to 2027 and a return for Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) being on the horizon. The EastEnders Christmas episodes will air on BBC One and iPlayer at 7:45pm and 9:45pm. 6. Death in Paradise Christmas special It's time to take a trip back to Saint Marie for another festive edition of the fan-favourite detective series. As well as the main returning cast, Josie Lawrence (Outside Edge), Kate Ashfield (Shaun of the Dead), Pearl Mackie (Doctor Who), James Baxter (Waterloo Road), Billy Harris (Ted Lasso), Oriana Charles and Alix Serman are all joining the festivities. This time round, the Christmas spirit will be unfolding in both Saint Marie and Swindon as an office Christmas party takes a very dark turn, with a stranger being found dead in their Caribbean villa. The Death in Paradise Christmas Special will air on BBC One and iPlayer on 28th December at 8:30pm. 7. Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special This year’s Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special will see six couples take to the dance floor in a bid to be crowned the Strictly Christmas Champion. The episode marks the final stint for long-running hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman but all the judges return once again, so we can expect plenty of praise and criticism from Head Judge Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke. The Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special will air on BBC One and iPlayer on Christmas Day at 5:30pm. 8. The Scarecrows' Wedding It's become Christmas tradition now for another animated adaptation of one of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's books. This year sees this tale of two devoted scarecrows get the animation treatment, with an all-star cast that includes Rob Brydon (Gavin and Stacey) as Reginald Rake, Jessie Buckley (Wicked Little Letters) as Betty O’Barley, Domhnall Gleeson (About Time) as Harry O’Hay and Sophie Okonedo (Slow Horses) as the Narrator. The Scarecrows' Wedding will air on BBC One and iPlayer on Christmas Day at 3:10pm. 9. Beyond Paradise Christmas special <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/11/Martha-d940585.jpg" width="4284" height="2856" alt="A group of people stand together indoors at a festive gathering, clapping and smiling. A man in a navy suit and a woman in a cream satin dress are at the front, both looking happy and celebratory. Behind them, two older women also clap, surrounded by warm fairy lights, stone walls, and a decorated Christmas tree, creating a cosy holiday atmosphere." title="Beyond Paradise" /> We return to Shipton Abbot for some festive cheer, with the guest cast of this year's episode including Adrian Edmondson (Alien: Earth), James Lance (Ted Lasso) and Jonny Weldon (One Day). "When Esther discovers a man on the steps of the Shipton Abbott police station with no memory, holding a photo of Humphrey, the team gets to work to uncover who the mysterious man is while balancing a flurry of festive cases," the synopsis reads. "At the same time, with the help of Anne, Zoe and a special guest, Martha races to pull off her secret plan while Kelby tries to help a mystery man trapped inside his snowman costume. "But with an influx of unexpected visitors, a slew of holiday crimes to crack, and a heartwarming reunion on the line, can the team juggle it all and still be ready for a life-changing reveal?" The Beyond Paradise Christmas special will air on BBC One and iPlayer on 21st December at 9pm. 10. Mandy Christmas special Diane Morgan’s hapless alter ego will be back on our screens this year in a Mandy Christmas special, which will see the character hoping to stay in and enjoy all the good television on. But as ever, there’s a daft adventure on the horizon as Mandy ends up dabbling in global diplomacy. The Mandy Who Knew Too Much will premiere on BBC Two and iPlayer on 22nd December 2025 at 10.25pm. 11. A Mary Berry Christmas In this one-hour festive special, Dame Mary Berry will enjoy "all the things that make Christmas such an important time of the year", according to the BBC. The beloved cook and presenter will explore the traditions that the nation likes to celebrate during the festive season, including delicious food, carols and picking out the perfect Christmas tree. As is tradition, Mary will be joined by an exciting line-up of special guests, including actress Alison Steadman and presenter Zoe Ball. A Mary Berry Christmas will premiere on BBC One and iPlayer on Wednesday 17th December at 9pm. 12. The Great British Sewing Bee The Great British Sewing Bee is returning with a Christmas Celebrity Special, which will see Lucy Beaumont (Celebrity Traitors), Anton Du Beke (Strictly Come Dancing), Susan Wokoma (Taskmaster) and Tom Wilson (Gladiators) test their crafty skills in a series of Christmas-themed tasks. The festive episode will be presented by Sophie Willan, who'll be replacing Sara Pascoe as main host of the series next year. The Great British Sewing Bee: Celebrity Christmas Special will premiere on BBC One and iPlayer on Christmas Eve at 7.25pm. 13. Run Away It's become a New Year's Day tradition now to binge-watch a Harlan Coben thriller, and this year is no different as Run Away is set to land on our screens to nurse any annoying hangovers or pre-work blues. The new series assembles a great cast once more with Gavin & Stacey's Ruth Jones and James Nesbitt leading the cast as private investigator Elena Ravenscroft and confused father Simon Greene. "Simon (Nesbitt) had the perfect life: loving wife and kids, great job, beautiful home. But then his eldest daughter Paige ran away and everything fell apart," the synopsis reads. "So now when he finds her, vulnerable and strung out on drugs in a city park, he finally has the chance to bring his little girl home. But it turns out she’s not alone, and an argument escalates into shocking violence. "In the aftermath, Simon loses his daughter all over again, and his search to find her will take him into a dangerous underworld, revealing deep secrets that could tear his family apart forever." Run Away premieres on Netflix on 1st January 2026. 14. Coronation Street Once again, this year's Corrie Christmas storyline is concerned with the icon that is Gail Platt (Helen Worth) and while the character did leave the cobbles last year, she's set to return (albeit on a video call) in a very special cameo. Elsewhere, there's secrets and lies aplenty at the Rovers Return as Eva wrestles with the guilt of keeping a big secret, the Websters are set to be left reeling following a tragic death and also, Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank) edging closer to discovering the abuse that Todd Grimshaw (Gareth Pierce) is facing at the hands of his boyfriend Theo Silverton (James Cartwright). The Coronation Street Christmas special will air on ITV1 and ITVX on Christmas Day at 7:15pm. 15. Madame Blanc Mysteries Christmas special <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/11/Sally-0e6b252.jpg" width="4800" height="3200" alt="A smiling woman stands indoors in front of a decorated Christmas tree with glowing lights. She is wearing a black, sheer, long-sleeved top with a dotted pattern and has her blonde hair styled up. She is holding a large, ornate, floral-patterned chest with gold accents placed on a green velvet-covered table. The setting appears festive and elegant, with detailed wall decorations in the background." title="The Madame Blanc Mysteries: Christmas Special (2025)" /> In this two-hour Christmas special episode, Jean, Dom, Judith and Jeremy attend an exclusive Christmas Eve event at the Musée de Sainte Victoire. As per the synopsis: "Jean is invited to authenticate a newly acquired treasure – a rare Ormolu box once owned by Marie Antoinette. But the festive mood turns dark when Jean discovers a ticking bomb hidden inside. "With just 90 minutes until detonation, the museum is sealed shut, the security guard is dead, and the race is on. Jean and the gang must crack the code and defuse the bomb before time runs out. This is Jean’s most perilous challenge yet – can she save the day?" The Madame Blanc Mysteries Christmas special will air on 5 on 23rd December at 8pm. 16. Red Eye season 2 Red Eye returns on New Year's Day, with the new season marking the return of Jing Lusi as DS Hana Li, while Line of Duty's Martin Compston joining the cast as Head of Embassy Security Clay Brody. One of ITV's top 10 dramas of last year, this new season will follow DS Hana Li and Compston's guest character, who are forced to "set aside past differences to solve a new high-stakes conspiracy". Red Eye will premiere on New Year’s Day on ITV and STV and will be available for streaming on ITVX and STV Player. 17. Stranger Things season 5 volume 2 and finale The final instalments of the anticipated fifth season of Stranger Things are set to be released over Christmas Day and New Year's, wrapping up the year in a decidedly dramatic fashion, we're sure. New characters have already been introduced for the final season, from Linda Hamilton's Dr Kay to Jake Connelly's Derek Turnbow, while Nell Fisher stuns in her role as Holly Wheeler. But what do the final four episodes have in store for the cast? We'll just have to wait and see. Stranger Things season 5 volume 2 premieres on 25th December (26th December in the UK) on Netflix, with the finale premiering on 31st December (1st January in the UK). 18. The Great Peep Show Christmas Bake Off The Great British Bake Off is returning with a Christmas special later this year, and there are some familiar faces amongst the festive line-up. Stars of the multi award-winning sitcom Peep Show are actually headed into the iconic tent as they swap awkward encounters for icing sugar as fan favourites David Mitchell, Olivia Colman, Isy Suttie, Matt King and Sophie Winkleman reunite for the first time since Peep Show wrapped in 2015. The Great Peep Show Christmas Bake Off is coming to Channel 4 this Christmas. 19. Dear Father Christmas The story of this one-off film follows 16-year-old Chris (Lenny Rush), who refuses to believe that Father Christmas isn’t real. With his dad (James Buckley) determined to “have the talk”, Chris’s mission to prove Father Christmas exists leads him on a hilarious and heartfelt adventure – complete with a star-studded ensemble cast including Greg Davies, Stephen Fry, Asim Chaudhry, Hannah Fry and more. Dear Father Christmas will air on Channel 4. 20. The Hunting Wives This US drama previously aired on Netflix stateside in July but has now found a home on ITV in time for some festive binge-watching. It's already been renewed for a second season, meaning that there's plenty more to look forward to in the dramatic series. Based on the novel by Mary Cobb, the series follows a woman as she and her family move from Boston to Texas. There, she grows close to a socialite — maybe too close — and becomes consumed by obsession, seduction and murder. The Hunting Wives will arrive on ITVX on Saturday 27th December 2025. 21. Amadeus Reimagining the legacy of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Will Sharpe stars as the musical genius, with the six-part series exploring the genius composer’s extraordinary career and his imagined rivalry with Salieri. Paul Bettany (WandaVision) stars as the envious court composer Antonio Salieri, while Gabrielle Creevy (In My Skin, Black Doves) plays Constanze Weber, Mozart’s fiercely loyal wife. Amadeus will launch on Sky and NOW on 21st December. 22. Two Doors Down Christmas special Beloved sitcom Two Doors Down is returning to our screens this Christmas, with the full cast of the Scottish series to reunite for a brand new festive episode. The cast for the episode includes Cathy (Mackichan), Christine (Elaine C Smith) Colin (Jonathan Watson), Alan (Graeme Stevely), Michelle (Joy McAvoy), Ian (Jamie Quinn) and his fiancé Gordon (Kieran Hodgson). Two Doors Down returns to BBC One and iPlayer this Christmas on Christmas Eve at 10pm. 23. The Masked Singer Christmas special It's everyone's favourite bonkers musical talent competition, with this year's festive special of The Masked Singer set to be just as good as previous iterations. There's set to be four brand new celebrities taking to the stage to try and wow the judges but as for who will be behind the masks, we'll just have to tune in and see. Joel Dommett returns as host of this year's Christmas episode, along with judges Mo Gilligan, Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall and Maya Jama. The Masked Singer Christmas special will air on ITV1 and ITVX. 24. Here We Go – Our New Year’s Fireworks Fantasaganza <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/12/Here-We-Go-8b1b35d.jpg" width="3882" height="2588" alt="Jude Morgan-Collie as Sam, Freya Parks as Amy, Katherine Parkinson as Rachel, Alison Steadman as Sue, Jim Howick as Paul, Tom Basden as Robin and Tori Allen-Martin as Cherry in Here We Go. They are stood raising champagne glasses for a photo, which is framed by gold tinsel and baubles, in front of a red background." title="Here We Go" /> Jim Howick (Ghosts) and Katherine Parkinson (The IT Crowd) return to lead the cast of this festive special, with Alison Steadman (Gavin & Stacey), Freya Parks (The School for Good and Evil), Jude Morgan-Collie (Good Girl’s Guide to Murder), Tori Allen-Martin (London Kills) all reprising their roles. The synopsis reads: "New Year’s Eve is fast approaching and this year Rachel is very keen to throw a massive party. Paul, less so: he’d much prefer a nice quiet holiday cottage with a sauna so he can sweat out the massive boil that’s recently appeared on his cheek; two quite different visions for seeing in the new year. "So begins a typically chaotic Jessop Family holiday, featuring a road trip, a missing dummy, and a large crate of unlicensed fireworks Paul picked up from a police auction." Here We Go – Our New Year’s Fireworks Fantasaganza will air on BBC One and iPlayer on New Year's Eve at 8pm. 25. Emmerdale There's set to be plenty of drama in the Dales as a festive special for Emmerdale is set to be an ITV highlight again this year. While fans of the series will be looking forward to plenty of action to unfold for many of the soap's characters, it looks as though times will continue to grow bleak for characters like Celia (Jaye Griffiths), Bear Wolf (Joshua Richards) and Kim (Claire King). Charity's (Emma Atkins) secret is also set to come to light but will her pregnancy come to light? The Emmerdale Christmas special will air on ITV1 and ITVX on Christmas Day at 6:15pm. 26. Celebrity MasterChef Christmas Cook Off While this year has already seen the celebrity version of MasterChef, this Christmas will see fresh-faced hopefuls taking to the kitchen to see if they have what it takes in the cooking stakes. This episode will see one lucky cook take home the Golden Whisk trophy, with GK Barry, Kola Bokinni, Nikki Fox and Iain Stirling all vying for the coveted prize. They'll have two tasks to impress, with the judges having also called in the help of last year’s Celebrity MasterChef winner, Vito Coppola. Celebrity MasterChef Christmas Cook Off will air on BBC One and iPlayer on Monday 22nd December at 8pm. 27. MasterChef Festive Extravaganza – Champion of Champions What do you get when you take MasterChef former champions and re-enter them into the kitchen that propelled their careers? Well, you get Champion of Champions, a fierce kitchen battle to see if they have what it takes to take the Golden Pan trophy home. This episode sees 2013 champion Natalie Coleman, 2023’s Chariya Khattiyot, 2020's Thomas Frake and 2024's Brin Pirathapan going head-to-head to see if they can come up with plates that will impress the judges and revered restaurant critic, Tom Parker Bowles. MasterChef Festive Extravaganza – Champion of Champions will air on BBC One and iPlayer on Monday 29th December at 8pm. 28. Bullseye Christmas special Freddie Flintoff returns as host of the rebooted version of Bullseye, with the classic darts-based show set to bring some cheer to the TV line-up. As of now, we don't know who will be competing but last year's special featured champion Luke Littler, so we'll just have to see who the show has under their sleeves. Bullseye Christmas special will air on ITV1 and ITVX on Christmas Day at 8:15pm. 29. Stuffed Guz Khan is used to making audiences laugh in the likes of Man Like Mobeen but here, he takes on a different kind of role in Stuffed as Arslan Farooqi. The 60-minute special sees Arslan receive a £8000 Christmas bonus and set off for a trip of a lifetime with his multi-faith family. As per the synopsis: "His wife Hannah (Morgana Robinson), his two daughters and brother-in-law Jamie (Theo Barklem-Biggs) are all set for the ultimate festive adventure. However, when office worker Arslan discovers the bonus was a mistake and must be repaid immediately, Christmas chaos ensues - and disaster follows the family at every turn. "Together with new holiday friend Lily (Sue Johnston), they must find a way out of this predicament and hope for a Christmas miracle that can save Arslan’s job and the family’s livelihood. Stuffed is a modern-day Christmas caper for the whole family to enjoy this yuletide season." Stuffed will air on BBC One and iPlayer on Tuesday 23rd December at 9pm. 30. Amanda and Alan's Spanish Christmas Fresh off the nationwide success of Celebrity Traitors, Alan Carr returns to our screens once again with his friend Amanda Holden as they venture off to Spain. Returning to the village of Moclín in southern Spain, the pair set out to throw a spectacular festive party as a heartfelt thank you to the locals who helped them along the way. They're set to bring their usual chaos and hilarity as they dive into Spanish Christmas traditions, making homemade treats and more. Amanda and Alan's Spanish Christmas will air on BBC One and iPlayer on Saturday 27th December at 5:45pm. 31. The Celebrity Apprentice Christmas special Set to make its return for two brand new festive episodes, The Celebrity Apprentice will be taking this batch of celebrities to Lapland for a challenge that's set to be tougher than ever – and will be able to be sampled by the general public. In aid of Children in Need, the candidates will be split into two groups and sent to Lapland to develop their own gingerbread biscuits. Celebs taking on the task this year include TV presenter AJ Odudu, broadcaster Angela Scanlon, Radio 1 DJ Charlie Hedges, comedian Eddie Kadi, EastEnders actor Jake Wood and more. The Celebrity Apprentice Christmas special will air on BBC One and iPlayer on 29th December at 9pm, with the second and final episode coming the next day, also at 9pm. 32. The Good Ship Murder Christmas special Just like last year, we're set to return to the seas as The Good Ship Murder returns for its Christmas special for 2025. While plot details remain under wraps for now, we can expect plenty more drama as Catherine Tyldesley and Shayne Ward are reunited as First Officer Kate Woods and detective Jack Grayling. As per the synopsis, we're set to go to Alicante for this episode. It continues: "Donna, a woman claiming to suffer from a life-changing illness, boards the ship with her loyal friend Bernie. As the festive voyage begins, Donna charms fellow passenger Gary and yearning for a Christmas miracle, visits a remote monastery. There she meets Rodriguez, a mysterious man of the cloth, and Thomasina, an enigmatic nun. But the holiday cheer turns dark when Bernie is found dead. "With Gary, Rodriguez, and Thomasina each under scrutiny, the hunt for the truth leads deep into a web of deceit and desperation. When the real story finally comes to light, it upends everything the crew thought they knew about the tragedy. "Meanwhile Jack, recently sacked from the ship, is lying low performing to half-empty rooms in a grimy dive bar. The monastery murder draws Kate back to him, and with Jamil’s help, will the two finally rekindle their romance?" The Good Ship Murder Christmas special will air on 5 on 29th December at 9pm. 33. The Great Festive Pottery Showdown <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/11/777981S4-Embargo-0001-Tuesday-25th-November-The-Great-Celebrity-Pottery-Throw-Down-2025-3-ed7cb9d.jpg" width="5472" height="3648" alt="Sarah Hadland, Tim Vine, Colin Murray, Amber Gill, Siobhan McSweeney, Keith Brymer Jones and Rich Miller sat and stood next to each other, smiling ahead in front of a Christmas backdrop." title="77798_1_S4_- Embargo 0001 Tuesday 25th November - The Great Celebrity Pottery Throw Down 2025-3" /> Comedian Tim Vine, actor Sarah Hadland, broadcaster Colin Murray and reality star Amber Gill are all taking on the pottery wheel for this year's festive-themed episode. While we'll just have to watch and see who has got what it takes when it comes to crafting amazing bowls, trinkets and the like, we do know that Siobhán McSweeney will host the celebrity festive edition. Judges Keith Brymer Jones and Rich Miller also return, tasked with deciding whether the results of the wheel should be displayed with pride or not. The Great Festive Pottery Showdown will air on Channel 4 on 26th December at 7:45pm. 34. Taskmaster: Champion of Champions Alex Horne and Greg Davies are set to put former Taskmaster champions to the test, with an expectantly fierce battle for the overall title. This year, Sam Campbell, John Robins, Andy Zaltzman, and Mathew Baynton return to see if they have what it takes to concur a whole new batch of tasks, that will likely be a lot more difficult and far-fetched than their previous stints. Taskmaster: Champion of Champions will air on Channel 4 on 22nd December at 9pm. 35. Taskmaster's New Year Treat Taskmaster fans are being treated in plentiful supply this year, with not just Champion of Champions but also the annual New Year Treat. An eclectic mix of five famous faces from all corners of the entertainment world will take on a raft of challenges, with those including BAFTA-winning TV chef and musician Big Zuu, former footballer Jill Scott MBE, actress and presenter Rose Ayling-Ellis MBE, BRIT-nominated singer and musician Sam Ryder, as well as lexicographer, etymologist and presenter Susie Dent. Taskmaster's New Year Treat will air on Channel 4. 36. The Family Next Door If there's one thing that Australian dramas know how to do, it's build tension – so if you're looking for a gripping new series, look no further than The Family Next Door. This series follows enigmatic Isabelle as she moves into a small seaside cul-de-sac. There, her obsessive drive to solve a mystery casts suspicion on four neighbouring families but will she be able to get to the bottom of this case that she can't seem to let go of? The Family Next Door will air on ITVX on 21st December. 37. Gladiators: Celebrity Special Joe Wicks will be taking on presenter Sam Thompson while boxer Nicola Adams will be taking on podcaster Vogue Williams in this celebrity special of Gladiators. The BBC series has continued to go from strength to strength since it was rebooted for the BBC and there's a reason it's known as the toughest show on TV. Who will come out triumphant after the selection of challenges? We'll have to see. Gladiators: Celebrity Special will air on BBC One and iPlayer on Christmas Day at 3:35pm. 38. The Repair Shop at Christmas There's a raft of very special faces set to enter the repair shop this Christmas including Dame Helen Mirren, who wishes to repair a broken cello that has come into her possession. Now belonging to a care home of which Dame Helen is a supporter, she's intent on getting it fixed for the residents and their families to enjoy. Elsewhere, author Julia Donaldson and Rob Brydon also want to repair toy farmhouse, which has helped inspire some of Julia’s best-loved books. The synopsis adds: "The team also fix a remarkable mechanical reindeer, a broken sledge, and a dilapidated carol book that plays a central role in a much celebrated Sheffield Christmas tradition." The Repair Shop at Christmas will air on BBC One and iPlayer on Friday 26th December at 7:30pm. 39. The Yorkshire Vet at Christmas The vets and nurses throw themselves into a festive fundraising challenge to support charities close to their hearts. The Dogs Trust slogan, “A dog is for life, not just for Christmas”, may be nearly 50 years old, but Peter Wright is determined to make a real difference this year. He and Julian Norton each lead rival teams in a series of sponsored events packed with fun and festive spirit. The Yorkshire Vet at Christmas will air on 22nd December at 8pm. 40. A Ghost Story for Christmas: The Room in the Tower Mark Gatiss returns with another Ghost Story for Christmas, this time being led by Dame Joanna Lumley and Tobias Menzies. Marking Gatiss's eighth Christmas story for the BBC, this one is set in the inter-war years and sees Roger Winstanley being haunted by an unsettling, recurring dream for the past 15 years. The dream itself involves an invitation to spend the night in the house of an acquaintance, where an unseen terror lurks and the figures who populate the dream seem to age in real time. However, as per the synopsis: "Nightmare and waking life seem to finally collide when an invitation to the dreaded room in the tower becomes all too real…" A Ghost Story for Christmas: The Room in the Tower will air on BBC Two and iPlayer on Christmas Eve at 10pm. 41. Sister Boniface Christmas special <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/09/Sister-Boniface-Mysteries-season-4-c974a8a.jpg" width="2855" height="1903" alt="Ruth Felix Livingstone, Sister Boniface, DI Sam Gillespie and WPC Peggy Button in a grassy green with a church and blue sky in the background all looking at the camera, as Sister Boniface holds out a magnifying glass." title="Sister Boniface Mysteries season 4" /> Lorna Watson returns as Sister Boniface for another Christmas special set to be full of mystery, intrigue but also heartwarming moments. While plot details are currently under wraps, we can expect the kind of cosy crime plot that will leave us feeling all warm inside for the season. Last year's episode was centred around a fittingly festive panto but we'll just have to wait and see what Sister Boniface and her team are set to face. Sister Boniface Christmas special will air on BBC One and iPlayer. 42. Mrs Brown's Boys Christmas and New Year specials Brendan O'Carroll reprises his leading role for two Mrs Brown's Boys specials set to air across Christmas and New Year's. The first, Mammy's Bottles, sees Mrs Brown "rediscover the meaning of family as she gathers those closest to her together for a Christmas photo. Buster unveils another of his signature Christmas trees with maximum impact and Cathy frets about what presents to buy everyone". As for the New Year episode, Stormin' Mammy, "tensions are high as Agnes and the gang prepare for an incoming storm. Buster’s flying high as he nervously awaits his birthday parachute jump. Winnie receives a shock to the system and a lost Nun looks for help". Mrs Brown's Boys will air on BBC One and iPlayer at 10:15pm on Christmas Day and 10:05pm on New Year's Day. 43. Shedites <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/12/shedites-cf82623.jpg" width="4214" height="2809" alt="Shane Casey as Paul, Brendan O'Carroll as Jimmy, Deidre O'Kane as Councillor Orla, Alan Wilson as Postman Padraig, Danny O'Carroll as Cheesy, Phil Davis as Harry, Simon Delaney as Gavin and Paddy Houlihan as Paddy the Liar all crowded round a laptop and wooden desk, looking surprised." title="545616,TITLE:Shedites" /> Also from the Mrs Brown's Boys team, Shedites is a new half-hour comedy that is set in and around the men’s shed in a village in Ireland. The synopsis reads: "It’s a place where men make themselves useful building and repairing things, and along the way find company through unlikely friendships, a sense of purpose, and a mug of strong tea. For many, the men’s sheds offer a new lease of life, and the Rathbowen shed is no exception." Shedites will air on BBC One and iPlayer on New Year's Day at 10:35pm. 44. The Traitors season 4 After the monumental success of The Celebrity Traitors that only just finished airing, it doesn't seem as though the gap between Traitors action is all that bad any longer. Still, nothing quite beats seeing a raft of civilians trying to suss out who is a Traitor or Faithful in the fittingly moody castle setting, with Claudia Winkleman providing plenty of meme-able moments in due course, we're sure. The Traitors season 4 will premiere on New Year's Day on BBC One and iPlayer at 9:05pm. 45. The Big Fat Quiz of the Year What's better than lounging on the sofa after Christmas, with your hand in a chocolate selection box and angrily answering some general knowledge questions relating to the rollercoaster of the year we've all had? Nothing really – so it's a good thing that Big Fat Quiz of the Year is returning for another edition. This time, host Jimmy Carr is joined by Jonathan Ross, Richard Ayoade, Katherine Ryan, Nick Mohammed, Roisin Conaty and Lou Sanders. The Big Fat Quiz of the Year will air on Channel 4. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Where was The War Between the Land and the Sea filmed?
The new Doctor Who spin-off features some stunning visuals and landscapes.
The highly anticipated The War Between the Land and the Sea has made its way to screens a year and a half since it was first announced. With no more Doctor Who until Christmas 2026, the new five-part series should fill the gap nicely, as fans dive into the story which sees UNIT faces off against Homo Aqua, the species previously known as the Sea Devils. Starring Russell Tovey, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Jemma Redgrave and Colin McFarlane, among others, the series is also notable for featuring some stunning visuals and locations, as seen in the previously released trailers. But just where was it all actually shot? Read on for everything you need to know about the filming locations used for The War Between the Land and the Sea. Where was The War Between the Land and the Sea filmed? As has been the case with Doctor Who since its revival in 2005, a large portion of the scenes in The War Between the Land and the Sea were filmed in Cardiff. Notable locations used in the area across the five episodes include Cardiff City Hall, National Museum Cardiff, The City Arms pub and the Welsh Government offices at Cathays Park. Meanwhile, scenes were also filmed in Bristol, with filming taking place on Canynge Road in Clifton, as well as at Lloyds Amphitheatre at the harbourside. Filming also took place abroad in Mallorca, Spain. One sequence shot there can be seen in the image above. Of course, as with Doctor Who and most other series, many series were shot on sets in studios – including those taking place in the crucial location of the Empress Hall. Speaking ahead of the series debuting, co-writer and Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies said: "I'm so excited by the look of this, it's absolutely gorgeous. "We have a central setting called the Empress Hall that's so full of supporting artists, it makes my heart sing! We've been able to focus the look, because for Doctor Who you're often having to create spaceships and time windows and the TARDIS, whereas for this most of our sets are concentrated on the real world. "At the same time, we create great big swaggering moments of imagination because we do go underwater to the realm of the Sea Devils, what we call the ‘Homo Aqua habitat’. That's a glorious visual. Our design team has done such a brilliant job." Meanwhile, co-writer Pete McTighe said: "The scale of the sets was incredible – I mean when you see the Empress Hall, it’s hard to believe that wasn’t a real location, let alone where we go in Episode 3. Our production designers Erica McEwan and Julian Luxton worked wonders. "The special effects added in post-production just elevate the show to a whole new level, that team led by Seb Barker is incredible. And our fantastic costume designer Rachel Walsh made sure everyone looked amazing – no mean feat when you look at the amount of people in the Empress Hall scenes." The War Between the Land and the Sea will continue on Sunday 14th December. Doctor Who is available to watch on BBC iPlayer. Add The War Between the Land and the Sea to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Sci-Fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The War Between The Land and the Sea release schedule: When is episode 3 out?
The Whoniverse's first fully new spin-off since 2016 has now started airing.
The long-awaited The War Between the Land and the Sea has made its way to BBC One, and after a thrilling double episode launch, fans have been patiently waiting to cast their eyes over the next episode The first two episodes of the series, which stars Russell Tovey and Gugu Mbatha-Raw, aired last week, setting the stage for more intense drama to come in the battle between humanity and the Sea Devils (or, as they are now known, Homo Aqua). But just how many episodes are there in this new series, when will the next instalment debut, and what is the full schedule for the rest of the run? Read on for everything you need to know about the release schedule for The War Between the Land and the Sea. When will The War Between the Land and the Sea episode 3 air on BBC One? The War Between the Land and the Sea kicked off with two episodes airing back-to-back, and will stick with that the release structure for its third and fourth episodes. They will be airing exactly one week later, meaning episodes 3 and 4 will air on Sunday 14th December 2025 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. How many episodes will there be of The War Between the Land and the Sea? <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/08/539631-03779d1.jpg" width="4743" height="3162" alt="Francesca Corney as Sergeant Hana Chakri, Russell Tovey as Barclay and Colin McFarlane as General Pierce in The War Between the Land and the Sea. They are walking through a big set of doors together, with a number of UNIT soldiers in black uniforms stood around them." title="The War Between The Land And The Sea" /> There will be five episodes of The War Between the Land and the Sea in total. This makes the series shorter than most Whoniverse shows, although it does have the same number of episodes of the acclaimed third season of Torchwood, Children of Earth. That isn't the only connection The War Between the Land and the Sea has with Children of Earth – the series also sees the return of Colin McFarlane as Austin Pierce, a character he previously played in that season of Torchwood alone. The War Between the Land and the Sea release schedule New episodes of The War Between the Land and the Sea will air on Sundays on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, starting from 8:30pm. You can find the full release schedule for The War Between the Land and the Sea below. The War Between the Land and the Sea episode 1 – Sunday 7th December 2025, 8:30pm (out now) The War Between the Land and the Sea episode 2 – Sunday 7th December 2025, 9:15pm (out now) The War Between the Land and the Sea episode 3 – Sunday 14th December 2025, 8:30pm The War Between the Land and the Sea episode 4 – Sunday 14th December 2025, 9:20pm The War Between the Land and the Sea episode 5 – Sunday 21st December 2025 The War Between the Land and the Sea will continue on Sunday 14th December. Doctor Who is available to watch on BBC iPlayer. Add The War Between the Land and the Sea to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" class="x_OWAAutoLink" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Sci-fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
What channel is Man Utd v Tottenham Women's Super League match on? TV coverage, live stream and kick-off time
Check out how to watch Man Utd v Tottenham in the Women's Super League, including TV channel, radio coverage and kick-off time.
Manchester United will look for a response after their heavy midweek defeat in Europe when they host Tottenham in the Women's Super League on Sunday. The Red Devils were outclassed by Lyon in a 3-0 defeat on Wednesday but must brush themselves down as they seek to sign off before the WSL winter break with a win. Watch Man Utd v Tottenham on Sky Sports Man Utd are third in the table and have both Arsenal and Spurs breathing down their necks. The latter are just a point back from the hosts ahead of Sunday's clash in what is fast becoming an outstanding campaign. RadioTimes.com has rounded up everything you need to know about how to watch Man Utd v Tottenham on TV and online. Read more football features: Best players in the world | Best players of all time | Live football on TV today When is Man Utd v Tottenham? Man Utd v Tottenham will take place on Sunday 14th December 2025. Check out our live football on TV guide for the latest times and information. Man Utd v Tottenham kick-off time Man Utd v Tottenham will kick off at 2:30pm. What TV channel is Man Utd v Tottenham on? Fans can tune in to watch the game for free on BBC Two from 2:15pm. How to live stream Man Utd v Tottenham online You can live stream the online match via BBC iPlayer. The streaming platform is available on a range of devices, from desktop and laptop computers to smartphones and tablets via the app. Is Man Utd v Tottenham on radio? Unfortunately, there will be no national radio coverage of the game. Please check your local radio network for coverage details. Advertisement Man Utd v Tottenham odds In working partnership with the Radio Times, bet365 has provided the following betting odds for this event: bet365 odds: Man Utd (2/7) Draw (4/1) Tottenham (9/1)* For all the latest football odds and more, visit bet365 today. Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets for new customers at bet365. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. *Odds subject to change. 18+. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org. Note – The bonus code RT365 does not change the offer amount in any way. Check out more of our <a id="menurm6i" class="fui-Link ___1q1shib f2hkw1w f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1s184ao f1mk8lai fnbmjn9 f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1nev41a f1h8hb77 f1lqvz6u f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sport/" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sport/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Link Sport">Sport coverage or visit our <a id="menurm6k" class="fui-Link ___1q1shib f2hkw1w f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1s184ao f1mk8lai fnbmjn9 f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1nev41a f1h8hb77 f1lqvz6u f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/tv-listings/" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/tv-listings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Link TV Guide">TV Guide and <a id="menurm6m" class="fui-Link ___1q1shib f2hkw1w f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1s184ao f1mk8lai fnbmjn9 f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1nev41a f1h8hb77 f1lqvz6u f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/streaming-guide/" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/streaming-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Link Streaming Guide">Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to <a id="menurm6o" class="fui-Link ___1q1shib f2hkw1w f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1s184ao f1mk8lai fnbmjn9 f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1nev41a f1h8hb77 f1lqvz6u f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/audio/podcasts/" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/audio/podcasts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Link The Radio Times Podcast">The Radio Times Podcast.
Is Return to Paradise coming back for season 3?
**Warning: Return to Paradise spoilers follow.** In Return to Paradise's sophomore season, Mackenzie not only had her hands full investigating a slew of fresh murders, she also decided that she wanted her ex back – a feeling she didn't enjoy, but couldn't ignore. Yet, Glenn was engaged to Daisy, and he had no intention of walking away from her – that is until their wedding delivered a curveball or two which has shifted things dramatically. So, what now for Mack and Glenn? Are they really destined to be together? Or do the writers have a few more surprises in store? Read on for everything we know so far about a potential Return to Paradise season 3. Has Return to Paradise been renewed for season 3? Not yet – but its stars would love to return if given the opportunity. "When we're on a break from filming, Peter Mattessi, our showrunner and our head writer, texted me something just about the show, and then he wrote, 'I'm sorry, you're probably not thinking about the show at all at the moment, you're on your break,'" Anna Samson told RadioTimes.com. "And I said, 'Mackenzie Clarke is always a little bit in my mind. I'm never quite not thinking about the show.' So she is still alive in me and a character I love, and I'm not ready to put her story fully to bed yet. We'll see what the audience has to say about it." Lloyd Griffith would also like RTP to follow Death in Paradise and Beyond Paradise's lead and get its own festive episode. "I keep banging the drum of trying to do a Christmas special and then do season 3, season 4, season 9," he added, before confirming: "I’m being serious." Read more: Beyond Paradise Christmas special teases Humphrey and Martha wedding in first-look pictures Death in Paradise and Beyond Paradise 2025 Christmas specials air dates confirmed by BBC Tai Hara echoed his comments: "The Christmas episode would be one that we'd all love to do. And I think what was so brilliant was at the end of season 2, we found out that we were nominated for a Logie and season 1 picked up Best Drama. "So that was already so exciting at the end of season 2. And I think I can easily speak for everyone that we would be so thrilled to come back and do some more." When could Return to Paradise season 3 be released? Seasons 1 and 2 premiered in September 2024 and November 2025, so if it does get the green light, we'd expect season 3 to arrive in late 2026. Which cast could star in Return to Paradise season 3? It wouldn't be RTP without Anna Samson as Mackenzie Clarke at the helm. We'd also expect her to be joined by the rest of her colleagues, so that's: Lloyd Griffith as Colin Cartwright Catherine McClements as Philomena Strong Celia Ireland as Reggie Rocco Aaron McGrath as Felix Wilkinson But there's a question mark hanging over Tai Hara as Glenn Strong, who we would expect to return, but could there be a delay (more on that later)? And it remains to be seen if Andrea Demetriades would be back as Daisy Dixon. Plus, there will be plenty of new guest stars if the show is renewed. What could happen in Return to Paradise season 3? The season 2 finale was eventful, to say the least. It was all systems go for Glenn and Daisy's wedding, but when a woman dropped dead shortly after the celebrant asked if there were any objections, their big day was naturally paused while Mackenzie raced to find the killer. Initially, Daisy wanted to reschedule, but the detective promised that she would solve the case in a jiffy so that they could crack on. The investigation took longer than everyone had hoped, however, which resulted in an outburst from Daisy. She let rip at Mack, from whom she had been withholding how she really felt about her for "months" because she's "important" to Glenn. Daisy then told Mack she was no longer welcome at their wedding. But ever the professional, the DI ploughed on with catching the killer and lo and behold, it was the ruddy celebrant. After he was taken away by the police, Glenn told Daisy that he still wanted to marry her, but not only did she not want to reschedule their wedding, she decided to walk away from him because she knew, in his heart of hearts, that he still loved Mack. "I tried to ignore it and that was my mistake because then we ended up here on our wedding day and you're more excited about her than getting married to me." And so, that appears to be that. It really does feel like the end of Glenn and Daisy. But what about Mack and Glenn? Well, he's now decided that he needs to leave Dolphin Dove – mirroring Mack's decision after she left him at the altar on their wedding day. But we don't know where he's going or for how long, just that it will be "a long while". So, what could season 3 bring? Murder, naturally. Dolphin Cove might be beautiful, but we'd be moving on ourselves given its mortality rate. Plus, a Mackenzie-Glenn reunion is surely on the cards, but how that will play out is anyone's guess. Their will-they-won't-they has been a staple of the show, so it remains to be seen if the writers will keep that going, or do something else. Is there a trailer for Return to Paradise season 3? Season 3 has yet to be announced – which means no trailer at the moment. If it does get the thumbs up, you can expect it to arrive in the month leading up to the premiere. Return to Paradise seasons 1 and 2 are available to stream on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Add Return to Paradise to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" class="x_OWAAutoLink" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Gavin & Stacey icon stars in first look at new Jane Austen-inspired drama The Other Bennet Sister
The new BBC period drama will be landing in 2026.
It's nearing the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth and in the run up to the event on the 16th December, the BBC have graced us with a fitting treat – some first-look images of its upcoming period drama, The Other Bennet Sister. The new drama is set to premiere in 2026 and will focus on the "oft-overlooked middle sister in Pride and Prejudice", Mary Bennet. The leading character in question will be played by Call the Midwife's Ella Bruccoleri, who we see in an image flanked by her beaming sisters and does certainly seem to be the ignored middle child. The other first-look images also give us our first glimpse at Gavin and Stacey star Ruth Jones who is joined by Richard E Grant as Mrs and Mr Bennet. While Jones is next set to be on our screens in Harlan Coben's Run Away, it marks just another exciting project for the actress, comedian and writer. <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/12/Other-Bennet-Sister-cast-d967f31.jpg" width="5120" height="3414" alt="Maddie Close as Jane Bennet, Poppy Gilbert as Lizzie Bennet, Ella Bruccoleri as Mary Bennet, Molly Wright as Kitty Bennet and Grace Hogg-Robinson as Lydia Bennet in The Other Bennet Sister all walking down a country path, wearing pastel coloured outfits and smiling." title="547457,TITLE:The Other Bennet Sister" /> We also see Indira Varma (The Night Manager) and Richard Coyle (Heads of State) as Mr and Mrs Gardiner, who appear to be having a grand old time smiling at something whilst sat in a beautiful floral garden. We also know that they're Mary’s aunt and uncle who end up employing Mary as a governess to their three children, introducing her to a whole new social world in the process. The other Bennet sisters will be played by Maddie Close (Sunflower Child) as Jane, Poppy Gilbert (Chloe) as Lizzie, Molly Wright (The A Word) as Kitty and Grace Hogg-Robinson (The Coroner) as Lydia, while potential suitors Mr. Ryder and Mr. Hayward will be played by Laurie Davidson (The Girlfriend) and Dónal Finn (The Wheel of Time). The synopsis for The Other Bennet Sister reads: "The story begins at Longbourn, the Bennet family home, where Mr and Mrs Bennet preside over a lively household of five unmarried daughters: Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia. As society’s pressures mount, the Bennet sisters navigate the glittering yet precarious world of Regency England, where marriage is both aspiration and necessity. "While her sisters pursue romance and social triumph, Mary embarks on a very different path. Leaving Longbourn behind, she travels to London to live with her aunt and uncle, Mr and Mrs Gardiner, in their elegant home on Gracechurch Street. There, Mary begins a journey of self-discovery, stepping out of the shadows and into her own story." Pride and Prejudice fans will also be in for a treat as iconic events such as Meryton Assembly Ball and the Netherfield Ball will also feature in the series. The series itself is based on Janice Hadlow’s acclaimed novel, with the author saying of the series: "It's very exciting to think that Mary Bennet will soon be coming to our screens, taking centre stage at last in the story Jane Austen never gave her, played with such feeling by the wonderful Ella Bruccoleri, in the company of a brilliantly empathic cast who bring the whole drama gloriously and poignantly to life." Read more: Idris Elba stars in explosive Hijack season 2 first-look trailer as hit thriller returns to screens in mere weeks New Inspector Lynley adaptation with Sanditon favourite gets release date confirmed by the BBC Screenwriter Sarah Quintrell also said: "Exploring Jane Austen’s world through the eyes of Mary Bennet for the first time has been a joyful experience - and our incredible cast have added a whole new layer of life to these characters. Our story is set in a familiar and much-loved world, but we’re coming at it from a completely new angle. Mary’s story is about coming of age when you’re the odd one out - how do you find your place in the world? "As a young girl growing up in Croydon my world could not have been more different to Jane Austen’s - but there is a universality in her work that reaches across generations and class boundaries, and we cannot wait to bring the Bennet family to a new audience. The Other Bennet Sister is true to the spirit of Pride and Prejudice but I hope it will also surprise and delight fans both old and new." Other characters in the series include Caroline Bingley, who is set to be played by Tanya Reynolds (The Decameron), whilst Charlotte Lucas is played by Anna Fenton-Garvey (The Nevers) and Mr Collins will be portrayed by Ryan Sampson (Mr Bigstuff). Ann Baxter will also be played by Doctor Who's Varada Sethu while John Sparrow will be played by Aaron Gill (Smothered). Read our guide to the best Christmas TV for 2025. The Other Bennet Sister is coming soon to BBC One and iPlayer. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Line of Duty's Martin Compston hints season 7 will answer unresolved questions
Jed Mercurio's BBC juggernaut will begin filming in the new year.
Naturally, Martin Compston is sworn to secrecy when it comes to Line of Duty, which will begin filming in spring 2026 for its long-awaited seventh season. "Everything is so under wraps," he told RadioTimes.com of reprising the role of Steve Arnott alongside Vicky McClure as Kate Fleming and Adrian Dunbar as Ted Hastings. They are now working for the Inspectorate of Police Standards after AC-12 was disbanded – but "anticorruption work has never been more difficult" as they are "assigned their most sensitive case so far". "Detective Inspector Dominic Gough, a charismatic officer winning plaudits for a string of takedowns of organised crime, is accused of abusing his position of trust to act as a sexual predator," reads the official synopsis. "But is Gough’s case a deliberate distraction from a bigger threat still operating in the shadows?" Compston did say, however, that questions left hanging after the season 6 finale – which drew an astonishing 12.8 million viewers on the night (a 56.2 per cent share) – will likely be addressed. "There's a new, strong storyline with new characters, and then... there will be things getting answered from other series," he added. But Compston remained tight-lipped on which plot points have been revisited by creator, writer and executive producer Jed Mercurio, who "couldn’t be more delighted to be returning". "Corruption in this country is supposed to have come to an end while Line of Duty was off air so I’ve been forced to use my imagination," he joked following the season 7 renewal announcement. We've broken down all of the major remaining questions here, including why Hastings really misspelled "definitely" as "definately", which was key in unmasking Buckells – a reveal actor Nigel Boyle was initially "gobsmacked" by, assuming the now former detective superintendent was just a "useful idiot". But "a rotten apple needn’t always be a mastermind", he said at the time. "You don’t have to be a criminal genius to be bent. It can just be gross incompetence and people turning a blind eye. "I always saw Buckells as the comic relief, so it’s clever that it was him all along. When you reflect and rewatch, I think it's a stroke of genius. Looking back, it all fits" – although many remain unconvinced that Buckells is actually H, with the real mastermind still at large. So, a shiny new narrative awaits – but if Line of Duty is to be a roaring success, Mercurio must revisit those key loose ends, lest the whole thing unravels. Read more: So, what should we expect from Line of Duty season 7? I have some questions Line of Duty could be entering its #MeToo era – but let's hope it doesn't waste the opportunity Read our guide to the best Christmas TV for 2025. Line of Duty seasons 1-6 are available to stream on BBC iPlayer. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
New Inspector Lynley adaptation with Sanditon favourite gets release date confirmed by the BBC
The brand new crime drama is coming soon to BBC One.
It's time to bookmark another crime drama for your watchlists as it's now been confirmed just when Lynley will be landing on BBC One and iPlayer. Described as a "contemporary update" of the original novels by Elizabeth George, the new four-part series will premiere on BBC One on Monday 5th January at 8:30pm. The drama, which premiered on BritBox in North America earlier this year, will also be released as a boxset on BBC iPlayer for all your binge-watching needs. Leo Suter (Sanditon) and Sofia Barclay (Ted Lasso) lead the series as unconventional detective duo DI Tommy Lynley and DS Barbara Havers, with the rest of the cast including Daniel Mays (Magpie Murders) as DCI Brian Nies, "the astute, suspicious Senior Detective at Three Counties Major Incident Team, whose aversion to Lynley is partly born of his own insecurities about class and partly because he knows he’s no longer the smartest person in the room". Niamh Walsh (The English Game) stars as Helen Clyde, "an estate agent and Lynley’s former Oxford classmate whose romance with Lynley is sparked when their paths fatefully cross on a case". The rest of the cast includes Michael Workeye (My Lady Jane) as tech specialist Tony Bekele, while Joshua Sher (Vera) stars as forensic scientist Simon St. James. The synopsis for Lynley reads: "Tommy Lynley is a brilliant police detective but an outsider in the force – simply by virtue of his aristocratic upbringing. He is paired with Barbara Havers, a sergeant with a maverick attitude and a working-class background. "With seemingly nothing in common and against all odds, the mismatched duo of Lynley and Havers become a formidable team, bonded by their desire to see justice done." It's obviously not the first time that the books have been adapted for the TV, with The Inspector Lynley Mysteries originally airing on the BBC from 2001 to 2008. That series saw Nathaniel Parker and Sharon Small lead the cast but this time round, the new Lynley series is coming to us from production company Playground, who are known for their work on All Creatures Great and Small and Wolf Hall. Read more: Shetland future confirmed following season 10 finale – will there be a season 11? Idris Elba stars in explosive Hijack season 2 first-look trailer as hit thriller returns to screens in mere weeks The new series has been written by Steve Thompson, who is known for his work on shows like Doctor Who, Vienna Blood, Jericho and Sherlock. At the time of the BBC's acquisition of the show, Thompson said: “It's a privilege and a thrill to have the opportunity to adapt these wonderful books for television. Elizabeth George's iconic characters are greatly loved and her gripping stories are smart and ingenious.” Similarly, author Elizabeth George said: “I'm thrilled to see Thomas Lynley and Barbara Havers come to television again, especially through the participation of the BBC and Britbox and the production expertise of Playground. Watching my characters brought to life on television is a real celebration.” Read our guide to the best Christmas TV for 2025. Lynley will premiere on BBC One and iPlayer on Monday 5th January at 8:30pm. Add Lynley to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Which countries are boycotting Eurovision 2026 and why? UK response explained
A decision was made to allow Israel to compete in the contest next year.
A number of countries are choosing to boycott Eurovision 2026 after Israel was given the go-ahead to compete. There have been calls from multiple participating nations for Israel to be banned from next year's contest due to the ongoing war in Gaza. But last week, the singing contest’s organising body, the European Broadcasting Union, declined to expel the country from competing in the 2026 contest. Members from 37 countries voted to adopt tougher contest voting rules, following allegations that Israel manipulated the vote in favour of its contestants, at the EBU general assembly, but no vote on Israel’s participation was held. It's a decision that has led to five countries confirming they will be boycotting next year's competition. Eurovision 2026 will be held in Vienna, Austria in May of next year after the country's entrant JJ won the competition hosted this year in Basel, Switzerland with his song Wasted Love. So, wondering which countries have confirmed they will be boycotting next year's contest? Read on to find out everything you need to know about the landmark decision and how the BBC has responded. Which countries are boycotting Eurovision 2026? The countries that have confirmed to be boycotting Eurovision 2026 are: • Ireland • Spain • The Netherlands • Slovenia • Iceland The board of Iceland's broadcaster made its decision just hours before the deadline for countries to confirm whether they will join the contest next May. Iceland was believed to be the last remaining country to confirm its decision. Why are some countries boycotting Eurovision 2026? <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/12/GettyImages-2215078224-3b04a1f.jpg" width="4532" height="3021" alt="Austrian singer Johannes Pietsch, known as JJ representing Austria with the song "Wasted Love" performs after winning the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, at the St. Jakobshalle arena in Basel on May 18, 2025." title="eurovision-2025-austria-winner-jj" /> Last week, around 50 broadcasters from Eurovision participating countries, including the BBC, attended an EBU meeting to decide on new safeguarding measures for the contest. The meeting was held after a number of countries called for Israel to be excluded from the singing competition over the war in Gaza and accusations of unfair voting practices. Attending broadcasters were urged to support new regulations designed to prevent governments and outside groups from running voting drives for their own acts, following claims that Israel's promotion of its contestant, Yuval Raphael, gave the act an unfair boost this year. A "large majority" of those who voted found that there was no need for an additional vote on participation, and Eurovision 2026 could go ahead as planned. In response, five countries have confirmed they will be boycotting Eurovision 2026, with the Irish broadcaster citing that "participation remains unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there which continues to put the lives of so many civilians at risk". Spain will also be boycotting despite being one of the "Big 5" countries of the competition alongside the UK, Italy, France and Germany, meaning their acts bypass straight to the final as they provide the most funding to the EBU. The Spanish broadcaster RTVE said: "The board of directors of RTVE agreed last September that Spain would withdraw from Eurovision if Israel was part of it. "This withdrawal also means that RTVE will not broadcast the Eurovision 2026 final... nor the preliminary semi-finals." Meanwhile, Iceland's RÚV said in a statement that “given the public debate in this country … it is clear that neither joy nor peace will prevail regarding the participation of RÚV in Eurovision. It is therefore the conclusion of RÚV to notify the EBU today that RÚV will not take part in Eurovision next year.” This comes after Russia's continued ban from Eurovision following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. What is the UK's response to Israel’s inclusion in Eurovision 2026? The UK will be participating in Eurovision 2026 with the BBC saying in a statement: "We support the collective decision made by members of the EBU. This is about enforcing the rules of the EBU and being inclusive." The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 final will take place in May 2026 in Vienna, Austria. You can check out the full list of Eurovision winners and how many times the UK has won Eurovision. Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Waterloo Road season 17 start date confirmed with first look pictures as iconic character makes big comeback
Denise Welch and Karl Davies join the cast next year.
The release date for the next series of school-based drama Waterloo Road has been confirmed by the BBC - and you haven't got long to wait, as eight new episodes drop on 16th January. It's a new term, and there are some fresh faces around the corridors, alongside some familiar ones too. OG favourite Steph Haydock (Denise Welch) is called in to do some supply work for the academy, and soon proves herself by solving a crisis amongst the students. Her highly-anticipated comeback was teased at the conclusion of the last series, when devious media teacher Darius Donovan (Jon Richardson) was promoted to deputy head. With everyone still unaware that he caused the death of Hope Drake (Savannah Kunyo), how long will it be before his past catches up with him? Waterloo Road has teased that love is in the air as prom season arrives, while it appears that Stace Neville (Tillie Amartey) will walk down the aisle with Noel McManus (Liam Scholes). Soap fans will recognise Nicky Walters's (Kym Marsh) ex-husband Anthony when he arrives to coach the girls football team, as former Emmerdale actor Karl Davies takes on the role. Karl was the third actor to portray Robert Sugden in the ITV soap during the '00s. Anthony is set to cause trouble when he reunites with Nicky - who is returning with a new role within the school - and their daughter Tonya (Summer Violet Bird). Other topics that are set to be explored throughout the upcoming episodes include exploitation, grief and addiction. A bunch of newbies include The Dumping Ground stars Myra-Sofia Iftikhar as Aisha Azzi and Freddy Smith as Freddie Hollister, who strikes up a friendship with Luca Smith (Danny Murphy), and The Enfield Poltergeist's Olivia Booth-Ford, who plays troubled Leoni Tennant. Returning Waterloo Road staff Adam Thomas as Donte Charles Christopher Jeffers as Mitch Swift Hollie-Jay Bowes as Debs Rafferty James Baxter as Joe Casey Jason Merrells as Jack Rimmer Jon Richardson as Darius Donovan Jo Coffey as Wendy Whitwell Kym Marsh as Nicky Walters Lindsey Coulson as Dame Stella Drake Neil Fitzmaurice as Neil Guthrie Rachel Leskovac as Coral Walker Shauna Shim as Valerie Chambers Saira Jackson as Nisha Chandra Returning Waterloo Road students Aabay Noor Ali as Mog Richardson Cory McClane as Ashton Stone ChiChi Ulebor as Shola Aku Danny Murphy as Luca Smith Hattie Dynevor as Libby Guthrie Liam Scholes as Noel McManus Lucy Chambers as Cat Guthrie Maisey Robinson as Portia Weever Miya Ocego as Lois Taylor-Brown Niamh Blackshaw as Agnes Eccleston Scarlett Thomas as Izzy Charles Sonya Nisa as Aleena Qureshi Summer Violet Bird as Tonya Walters Tillie Amartey as Stace Neville Zak Sutcliffe as Schuey Weever Waterloo Road season 17 will arrive on BBC iPlayer at 6am on Tuesday 6th January, with the first two episodes airing that evening on BBC One at 9pm and 10:40pm. Previous seasons are available to stream on BBC iPlayer now. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guideto see what's on tonight. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Who is performing in the World Cup 2026 final halftime show?
Tell us the World Cup is happening in the USA without telling us the World Cup is happening in the USA.
The World Cup will boast its own distinct flavour in 2026 as Canada, Mexico and the United States of America gear up to host the biggest tournament in history. The former two nations have been somewhat overshadowed in the build-up to the tournament due to the blossoming bromance between FIFA president Gianni Infantino and President Donald Trump taking centre stage. American influence is seeping into the World Cup across the board with regular drinks breaks effectively breaking matches down into four quarters – and it seems as though the World Cup final will receive the full Super Bowl treatment as well. Yes, welcome to the World Cup final halftime show. The Super Bowl halftime show is the stuff of legend. Icons from the pop world have played during the interval, and FIFA have confirmed the World Cup final will be getting its own version. The question is: who will perform? RadioTimes.com brings you the latest news and rumours for who might be performing at the World Cup 2026 final halftime show. Who is performing in the World Cup 2026 final halftime show? The short answer is we simply don't know, but given the prestige of the World Cup, the fact it is the inaugural halftime show and the sheer number of viewers around the globe will far eclipse the Super Bowl, expect one of the world's biggest artists to come to the fore. The draw featured Andrea Bocelli, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams and The Village People, as well as Heidi Klum and Kevin Hart. And that was only the draw. Global Citizen is an advocacy platform dedicated to humanitarian causes and ending extreme poverty. They have been confirmed as the producers of the halftime show alongside Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. This same partnership delivered a halftime show during the Club World Cup final featuring Coldplay, Doja Cat, J Balvin, Tems and Emmanuel Kelly. This will have been used as a de facto test run for next year's spectacle. A "set of artists" will be selected by Martin and Co. to perform, but who are the names in the frame? The latest betting odds feature a number of former Super Bowl halftime show acts in the running, including The Weeknd, Beyonce and Coldplay. Check out more of our Sport coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
EastEnders cast: Who is joining, leaving and returning to the soap?
All the changes to life in Albert Square you need to keep up with.
Following a dramatic year last year, we have finally entered EastEnders' 40th year in 2025, where there will be a host of new arrivals, returns and departures on the way. Last year saw some huge changes for EastEnders, including the departure of Whitney Dean after 15 years in the summer and the arrival of new matriarch Nicola Mitchell in November. RadioTimes.com is here with a handy update on which characters are leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders in the coming months. So who's in? Who's out? And which rumours are true? Read on for all the latest details on cast changes for EastEnders. EastEnders cast 2025 The full present regular cast for EastEnders can be found below in order of the character's first appearance. Gillian Taylforth as Kathy Beale Letitia Dean as Sharon Watts Adam Woodyatt as Ian Beale Alice Haig as Vicki Fowler Michelle Collins as Cindy Beale Steve McFadden as Phil Mitchell Kim Medcalf as Sam Mitchell Paul Bradley as Nigel Bates Thomas Law as Peter Beale Karen Henthorn as Julie Bates Perry Fenwick as Billy Mitchell Laila Morse as Mo Harris Jessie Wallace as Kat Moon Michelle Ryan as Zoe Slater Nicholas Bailey as Dr Anthony Trueman Rudolph Walker as Patrick Trueman Shane Ritchie as Alfie Moon Angela Wynter as Yolande Trueman Gillian Wright as Jean Slater Emma Barton as Honey Mitchell Zaraah Abrahams as Chelsea Fox Diane Parish as Denise Fox Grace as Janet Mitchell Jake Wood as Max Branning Jacqueline Jossa as Lauren Beale Scott Maslen as Jack Branning Freddie Phillips as Will Mitchell Pierre Counihan-Moullier as Oscar Branning Kitty Castledine as Penny Branning Ellie Dadd as Amy Mitchell Tameka Empson as Kim Fox Lillia Turner as Lily Slater Frankie Day as Ricky Branning Sonny Kendall as Tommy Moon Isabella Brown as Lexi Pearce Kellie Bright as Linda Carter Charlie Suff as Johnny Carter Harriet Thorpe as Elaine Knight Elliot Briffett as Bert Moon Cody Briffett as Ernie Moon Arayah Harris-Buckles as Pearl Fox Harry Farr as Ollie Carter Jake McNally as Louie Beale Michael Jose Pomares Calixte as Raymond Fox Tony Clay as Callum Highway Shiv Jalota as Vinny Panesar Balvinder Sopal as Suki Panesar-Unwin James Farrar as Zack Hudson Ross Boatman as Harvey Monroe Delroy Atkinson as Howie Danes Heather Peace as Eve Panesar-Unwin Aaron Thiara as Ravi Gulati Jaden Ladega as Denzel Danes Juhaim Rasul Choudhury as Davinder "Nugget" Gulati Colin Salmon as George Knight Francesca Henry as Gina Knight Sophie Khan Levy as Priya Nandra-Hart Aaliyah James as Avani Nandra-Hart Elijah Holloway as Harry Mitchell Lewis Bridgeman as Barney Mitchell Dayo Koleosho as Kojo Asare Laura Doddington as Nicola Mitchell Alex Walkinshaw as Ross Marshall Max Murray as Joel Marshall Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness as Jasmine Fisher And here are the changes to the cast coming soon... JOINING Bea (Ronni Ancona) <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/12/eastenders-ronni-ancona-f1e5227.jpg" width="2856" height="4284" alt="Ronni Ancona as Bea in EastEnders, wearing a beige fur-trimmed coat and leopard-print top stands outside Walford East Station, staring ahead with a shocked, tense expression." title="Ronni Ancona as Bea in EastEnders, wearing a beige fur-trimmed coat and leopard-print top stands outside Walford East Station, staring ahead with a shocked, tense expression." /> When is Bea arriving? Early 2026. British comedy legend Ronni Ancona - no stranger to an EastEnders impersonation - is joining the soap in 2026 as the mysterious Bea. The new arrival is a blast from the past for Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) when she attends her high school reunion, with Linda and Bea each remembering their past rather differently. On joining the cast of EastEnders, Ancona said: "I am honoured to have been invited to join the iconic institution that is EastEnders, and to go on this whirlwind of a journey with such an unpredictable, nuanced and complex character as Bea. I hope audiences have as much fun watching her as I have had bringing her to life." EastEnders' executive producer Ben Wadey added: "I’m delighted to welcome the immensely talented Ronni Ancona to EastEnders playing the character of Bea. Bea’s character is mysterious, and we’re thrilled to have an esteemed actress and comedian like Ronni playing her." Ancona has already started filming on EastEnders, with her first scenes as Bea set to air in the New Year. Will Bea be a hindrance or a help to Linda? DEPARTING Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) When might Sam Mitchell be returning? Early 2026. Kim Medcalf has reprised the role of Sam Mitchell for a short stint this festive season. The character has returned following the discovery of a lump in her breast, which will turn out to be breast cancer and require a lumpectomy. However, does Sam also have a motive for revenge against her old accomplice, Zoe Slater? Either way, Sam looks set to survive her cancer battle, but will she leave Walford on good terms with son Ricky Branning and brother Phil Mitchell? Joel Marshall (Max Murray) When is Joel Marshall leaving? TBC. It has been reported that the misogyny storyline has reached its climax concerning troubled teen Joel Marshall (Max Murray). The character is currently in police custody following his attack on Vicki Fowler and furiously rejecting his father, Ross. It would seem punishment awaits Joel, and his time on the show will apparently come to a close. According to Metro, Max Murray will leave the Square as his character Joel's misogyny storyline reaches a head. A spokesperson for EastEnders declined to comment when approached by RadioTimes.com. Who is joining EastEnders? At present, no new cast members have been confirmed or reported for EastEnders. RETURNING Pat Evans (Pam St. Clement) When is Pat Evans returning? December 2025. Walford icon Pat Evans will be making another posthumous appearance this Christmas in a special episode depicting Nigel Bates's dementia symptoms worsening and being transported back to the 1990s. Pam St. Clement reprises the role she originated in 1986 and played until Pat's death from cancer in 2012. She later returned for a ghostly appearance around best pal Peggy Mitchell's final episode in 2016. Speaking on her return, St Clement said: "I was both surprised and excited to be asked back to tread the streets of Walford once again and to be involved in Nigel’s touching dementia storyline. "It was lovely to be welcomed back by those with whom I had worked for so long. It was just like coming home." Executive Producer Ben Wadey added: "It’s an honour and a privilege to welcome Pam St Clement back to EastEnders for a special episode in Nigel’s ongoing dementia storyline. "Pat Evans is one of the most cherished and iconic characters to have graced the streets of Walford, and I know I speak on behalf of everyone when I say what a delight it was to see Pat and Pam back in The Queen Vic as she helps Nigel in his time of need." Barry Evans (Shaun Williamson) When is Barry Evans returning? December 2025. Pat won't be alone when she returns either - as her late stepson Barry Evans will also be back for the Nigel episode, once again played by Shaun Williamson. Barry first appeared in Walford in 1994 as the son of Pat's love interest and future husband, Roy Evans (the late Tony Caunter), going on to be a staple in Walford for the next decade until he was killed by scheming newlywed bride Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks) in 2004. Barry was survived by his son, Jack, and his first wife, Natalie Price (Lucy Speed). Executive producer Ben Wadey said of Williamson's return: "I’m delighted to welcome Shaun Williamson back to EastEnders for Nigel’s special episode. "Barry Evans was renowned for being one of Walford’s unluckiest residents, most notably for his choice of shoes, and so it was a privilege to welcome him back alongside Pat for these special scenes in The Vic." WHO MAY BE RETURNING? Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) When is Stacey Slater returning? TBC. Lacey Turner went on an extended break from the show recently, with Stacey departing for a new life in Brazil with her brother Sean Slater and her two youngest children. However, Turner has affirmed that she will return to the soap in the future, but no firm return date has been set. So, expect to be without Stacey for a while yet! Which characters departed EastEnders in 2025? The following character departed EastEnders in 2025. Nish Panesar Julie Bates (guest, voice cameo) Mr Lister (guest) Councillor Donald Barker (guest) Garry Hobbs (guest) Minty Peterson (guest) Peggy Mitchell (guest) Eric Mitchell (guest) Angie Watts (guest, cameo) Reiss Colwell Martin Fowler Grant Mitchell (guest) Brenda Collins (guest) Gaz (guest) Andy (guest) Ruby Allen Roman Allen Tom "Rocky" Cotton (guest) Terry Cant (guest) Bex Fowler (guest) Julia Fowler Bianca Jackson Sonia Fowler Felix Baker Bernadette Taylor Jay Brown Jonno Highway (Guest) Hope Fowler Arthur Fowler, Jr. Stacey Slater Stuart Highway (Guest) Ben Mitchell (Guest) Norma Unwin (Guest) Tobias "Okie" Okyere Junior Knight Anna Knight Freddie Slater Teddy Mitchell Which characters departed EastEnders in 2024? The following characters have departed EastEnders in 2024. Ashton (Guest) Harold Martin (Guest) Sam Mitchell Keanu Taylor (Guest, hallucination) Lucas Johnson (Guest) Ben Mitchell Gloria Knight (Guest) Eddie Knight (Guest) Keeley Wainwright (Guest) Britney Wainwright Dolly Dean-Hudson Whitney Dean Monique Knight (Guest) Xavier Knight (Guest) Karen Taylor (Guest) Stevie Mitchell Debbie Colwell (Guest) Ayesha Siddhu (Guest) Dean Wicks Chrissie Watts (Guest) Jake Moon (Guest) Jane Beale (Guest) Bobby Beale Pastor Gideon Clayton Lola Pearce-Brown (Guest) Joe Wicks (Guest) Holly (Guest) David Wicks (Guest) Micky Miller (Guest) Nancy Carter (Guest, fantasy) Lee Carter (Guest, fantasy) Which characters departed EastEnders in 2023? The following characters have departed EastEnders in 2023. DCI Samantha Keeble (Guest) Ricky Butcher (Guest) Scarlett Butcher Edward "Jed" Chadwick (Guest) Ryan Malloy (Guest) Dr Ash Kaur Vi Highway Shifty Shiv (Guest) Roxy Mitchell (Guest) Duncan Boyd (Guest) Lola Pearce-Brown Lauren Branning (Guest) Louie Beale (Guest) Finlay Baker Jo Cotton (Guest) Peggy Taylor (Guest) Lisa Fowler (Guest) Arthur "Fatboy" Chubb (Guest) Graham Foster (Guest) Dorian Gates (Guest) Nadine Keller (Guest) Theo Hawthorne Karen Taylor Mitch Baker Bailey Baker Mia Atkins Mackenzie Atkins Keanu Taylor Tom "Rocky" Cotton Which characters departed EastEnders in 2022? The following characters departed EastEnders in 2022. Iqra Ahmed Mila Marwa Kioni Marwa Gray Atkins Keegan Baker Tiffany Butcher Isaac Baptiste Aaron Monroe Nancy Carter Avery Baker Rainie Highway Roland Highway Stuart Highway Dana Monroe Frankie Lewis Dr Nina Gupta Kheerat Panesar Lofty Holloway (Guest) Mary Smith (Guest) Disa O'Brien (Guest) Ian Beale (Guest) Colin Russell (Guest) Barry Clark (Guest) Kirsty "Dotty" Cotton Jada Lennox Alyssa Lennox Mick Carter Janine Carter Shirley Carter EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and from 6am on BBC iPlayer. Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. If you’re looking for more to watch, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Shetland future confirmed following season 10 finale – will there be a season 11?
The BBC has confirmed that Shetland will return for an 11th season. The news was shared on BBC Scotland's Facebook page, though details about the plot – and crucially the cast – are currently being kept under wraps. In the season 10 finale, long-serving character Sergeant Billy McCabe handed himself in to professional standards over mistakes he'd made 20 years earlier, so it remains to be seen whether he'll be back. But we'd expect to see Alison O'Donnell return as 'Tosh', Ashley Jensen as DI Ruth Calder and Steven Robertson as DC Sandy Wilson, alongside a raft of new guest stars for another mystery. Amandaland's Samuel Anderson also joined the cast in season 10 as Matt Blake, the new procurator fiscal. Shetland debuted in 2013, with Douglas Henshall leading the charge as DI Jimmy Perez, a character beloved by fans. But he exited the series in season 7 – news met with both sorrow and concern for its future – with Jensen stepping in, a move that gave the show a "new lease of life", O’Donnell told RadioTimes.com shortly before the season 8 premiere. "When there was the idea to revamp and take the show in another direction, I think it made me realise that actually, there are elements of this that still feel like they've got more room to grow," she said. "And I think that was really right. I think there was enough there that we could sort of re-imagine it all." O'Donnell also said that bringing in Calder enticed "new audience members" to watch the show. "That was the sense I got, that some people were discovering it for the first time," she continued. "And some people even said to me that they'd watched season 8 and then they'd gone back to the beginning as well. So it definitely gave it a new lease of life." View Green Video on the source website In a recent interview, O'Donnell also said that the reboot was "much better than any of us really could have imagined". "I remember when the first episode [of season 8] was airing, my kids were still up, so I went into the other room, and when I watched it I actually cried," she added. "I sat on my own and I wept because it was partly relief, but also I was so proud of it. "And I always knew that there would be the dissenting voices, but I think there was far less of that than there could have been." And it's showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon, with the crime drama set to return in 2026. Read our guide to the best Christmas TV for 2025 Shetland seasons 1-10 are available to stream on BBC iPlayer. Ann Cleeves's Shetland novels are available to buy. Add Shetland to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Who are Roman and Harleymoon Kemp? Meet Celebrity Race Across the World 2025 contestants
The radio DJ is embarking on the adventure with his older sister.
It's time for the final leg of Celebrity Race Against the World 2025, and it'll be the longest push the teams have seen so far. Tonight (11th December), the teams must travel from Medellín, to the finish checkpoint on the Guajira Peninsula, the northernmost region of South America. Roman said of the final leg: "It's all systems go and this is the last big push - we've got to do this. We're ready to properly fight, because this is our last chance to ever come first. "The whole way we’ve said, as long as we just come first once and we can say we did it once but it's just not happened." But after 33 days and nearly 5,900km, which team will triumph? As we wait to find out, here's everything you need to know about contestants and siblings Roman and Harleymoon Kemp. Who are Roman and Harleymoon? Relationship: Brother and sister From: London Jobs: Radio DJ and singer/songwriter Instagram: @romankemp and @harleymoonkemp Roman Kemp is a 32-year-old radio DJ and presenter, best known for hosting the breakfast show on CapitalFM from 2017 to 2024. He is taking part in the race alongside his older sister, 36-year-old Harleymoon, who is a singer/songwriter. Roman and Harleymoon are the children of musicians Martin Kemp and Shirlie Holliman, who independently found success in the '80s as part of the bands Spandeau Ballet and Wham! respectively. Roman struggled with the language whilst racing through the South American continent, telling Radio Times magazine that he kept "mistakenly telling everyone Harley was 'my beautiful' – mi hermosa – instead of 'my sister' – mi hermana – for at least a week." If you're planning a trip abroad, read our financial expert's advice on what to consider before going on holiday Why did Roman and Harleymoon want to take part in Celebrity Race Across the World? When asked if he had considered taking his famous dad rather than his sister on the show with him, Roman only had one thing to say: "No way!" He continued: "I am very lucky that I do a lot of stuff with my dad, and I think that the reason I do those things is I can't wait to show my kids or my grandkids what my relationship was like with my dad. With this, it's such a privilege to be able to do something so special with your sister. "It's such a privilege to be able to have that and to also show that to future generations and to share an experience. The other side of it is for personal reasons, travelling and seeing new places and seeing different cultures or being in certain experiences has such a great impact on my perspective and what life is about." Harleymoon also revealed to Radio Times magazine that their mum had previously been asked to go on the show. "My mum [Shirlie Kemp, a former backing singer for Wham! and half of Pepsi & Shirlie] was asked to be in the first celebrity Race across the World and was going to take me, but thought it sounded too hard. I was glad to have another chance to go," she said. Celebrity Race Across the World continues on Thursday 11th December at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer. Add Celebrity Race Across the World to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Who are Dylan and Jackie Llewellyn? Meet Celebrity Race Across the World 2025 contestants
Dylan is bringing his mum along for the adventure of a lifetime.
It's time for another dose of adventure, as Celebrity Race Across the World returns for a thrilling final episode as the teams make their way to the finish line on the Guajira Peninsula. Team Tortoise, AKA Jackie and Dylan Llewellyn, must either cut a course inland or follow the tourist trail along the Caribbean coast as they begin their journey in Medellín, Colombia’s second-largest city. "I don't think we expected to get this far. Our main target is just to complete it and to get to the fifth leg is huge for us," Dylan said as he reminisced on the race. Jackie added: "I thought we wouldn't make it after leg one. I'm so pleased that we pushed ourselves through the lows, and I'm proud of us both for getting to the end of leg five. I can't believe we’ve got this far." As we wait to find out how Jackie and Dylan's final leg of the race goes, here's everything you need to know about them as they take part in Celebrity Race Across the World. Who are Dylan and Jackie? Relationship: Mother and son From: Reigate, Surrey Jobs: Actor and retiree Instagram: @djllewellyn Dylan Llewellyn is a 33-year-old actor, best known for playing James in all three series of Derry Girls. He has also starred in Hollyoaks, Big Boys and Beyond Paradise. Self professed "mummy's boy" Dylan is embarking on the race with his mum Jackie, a 59-year-old retiree. "I’d always wanted to do an amazing adventure with a family member, and I’m a bit of a mummy’s boy," he admitted to Radio Times magazine. If you're planning a trip abroad, read our financial expert's advice on what to consider before going on holiday Why did Dylan and Jackie want to take part in Celebrity Race Across the World? When asked about their time on the show, the duo described it as "once in a lifetime" and "magical". "I wanted to take part because it’s such an amazing experience to be had. I think it looks so beautiful and cool, and it's just a giant adventure and who wouldn't want to go on one of those? "And to do it with my mum is a huge bonus. It's a once in a lifetime thing to do, and to do it with a loved one is even better," Dylan said. Jackie added: "In my life, I'm very predictable, like to keep to a routine, safe and everything, and this is really pushing me out of my comfort zone, and I feel, at my age, I should do something like that. I just generally go to destinations for holiday I never have a journey. "So it's throwing a different spin on my holiday experience. And also to spend time with Dylan, there's normally in life so many distractions and to have that… I don't think anyone has a relationship where there's no distractions and it's just one to one, and that's going to be magical." Celebrity Race Across the World continues on Wednesday 11th December at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer. Add Celebrity Race Across the World to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Who are Anita Rani and Balvinder Singh Nazran? Meet Celebrity Race Across the World 2025 contestants
Here's everything you need to know about the father and daughter duo.
The series finale of Celebrity Race Across the World has arrived, with an epic push of over 1,000km to reach the finish line. Tonight (11th December), it's time for the race to resume one last time, and it's up to the teams to either cut a course inland or follow the tourist trail along the Caribbean coast to reach the Guajira Peninsula. Hoping to reach the finish line first are Anita Rani and her dad Bal, who always knew they were going to make it this far in the competition. Anita said: "There’s obviously been disappointment so far about the things that have been out of our control, but there's a life lesson in that, isn't there? "You know when Guatemala closed down, we miss a bus, or whatever, all those things are completely out of your control, and it's very frustrating, but that's part of the journey. As the race nears the end, here's everything you need to know about the duo. Who are Anita and Bal? Relationship: Father and daughter From: Bradford Jobs: Radio and television presenter and semi-retired businessman Instagram: @itsanitarani Anita Rani is a radio and television presenter, best known for co-presenting Countryfile for the past 10 years and for BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour which she has presented since 2021. In 2015, the 47-year-old appeared on Strictly Come Dancing and made it as far as the semi-final. She will be taking part in the race alongside her 69-year-old dad Balvinder Singh Nazran, who is a semi-retired businessman. Speaking to Radio Times magazine, Anita shared that the father and daughter duo had their first bicker only an hour into the race after she "ran into the road" according to Bal. "The cameras were rolling and Dad was telling me off about something and I turned into teenage me, stomping and pouting," said Anita. If you're planning a trip abroad, read our financial expert's advice on what to consider before going on holiday Why did Anita and Bal want to take part in Celebrity Race Across the World? Anita said her dad signed up to do the race so they could spend valued time together travelling, something they missed out on when she was young. "We didn’t really do holidays as kids, because my parents were too busy working. I don’t think Dad had much choice [about signing up]!" she told Radio Times magazine. Bal added: "She said, 'Dad, are you up for an adventure?' I presumed it was a weekend away, but I’m not afraid of adventures and I wanted to get to know Anita better. We’re very similar: outgoing and independent, with the same sense of humour." Celebrity Race Across the World continues on Thursday 11th December at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer. Add Celebrity Race Across the World to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Who are Molly Rainford and Tyler West? Meet Celebrity Race Across the World 2025 contestants
Meet the celebrity couple taking on the ultimate race.
The final leg of Celebrity Race Across the World is coming to screens tonight, as the teams must race from Medellín in Colombia to the finish line on the Guajira Peninsula. Among the pairs hoping to make it to the final checkpoint first are Molly Rainford and Tyler West, who "never in a million years" thought they'd make it this far in the race. "We thought that we'd be here to take part, not to actually be the front runners. The pressure is on," Tyler said, while Molly added: "I'm definitely going to go full competitive mode." As the race concludes, here's everything you need to know about the duo on Celebrity Race Across the World 2025. Who are Molly and Tyler? Relationship: Couple From: London Jobs Actress/singer and TV presenter/radio DJ Instagram: @mollyrainford and @tylerwestt Molly Rainford is a 24-year-old actress best known for her role as Anna Knight in EastEnders, although she made her TV debut much earlier at just 12 years old, when she made it to the final of the sixth series of Britains Got Talent as a singer. Molly met her fiancé, 29-year-old radio DJ Tyler West, who currently presents the afternoon show on KissFM, after they both took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2022. Appearing on Lorraine, Tyler said taking part in the race together was "tough" with Molly adding: "It was probably the biggest test to be like, can I marry this person?" Tyler even admitted to Radio Times magazine: "There were times when I thought about trading Molly for a mountain goat to get some extra money to race! But it obviously worked out in the end, because we got engaged after the trip…" If you're planning a trip abroad, read our financial expert's advice on what to consider before going on holiday Why did Molly and Tyler want to take part in Celebrity Race Across the World? When Molly and Tyler were first asked to take part in Celebrity Race Across the World, Molly described it as "a no-brainer". "I think it was just a no brainer to do it together – we're so comfortable with each other, we already live together, so we know we can do that. We have nothing to hide from each other. "We haven't done any kind of travelling like this before. We always stick to our comfort zone, all inclusive, just one location. This will be a new experience." Tyler added: "We live busy lives. We're sometimes passing ships, I would love to experience this with my best friend, my person. I think I would struggle more doing it without Molly." Celebrity Race across the World continues on Thursday 11th December at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer. Add I'm a Celebrity Race Across the World to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
EastEnders airs tragic exit scenes for Mitchell family member in early BBC iPlayer release
Warning: Contains spoilers for Thursday's episode of EastEnders, which airs on BBC One at 7.30pm or can be streamed now on BBC iPlayer.
Teddy Mitchell (Roland Manookian) has left EastEnders after just 18 months on our screens. It comes after he decided to take responsibility for the murder of Okie Okyere (Aayan Ibikunle Shoderu), who had tormented his son Harry (Elijah Holloway) and Kojo Asare (Dayo Koleosho) for months. As we know, it was actually Harry who accidentally stabbed the drug dealer, though Teddy couldn't bear to see his son spend the rest of his life behind bars. It was initially hoped that top lawyer Ritchie Scott (Sîan Webber) could get him a lesser sentence, but that wasn't to be. In yesterday's episode, he was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum of 20 years before he would be eligible for parole. Earlier this week, an EastEnders spokesperson confirmed to RadioTimes.com that Manookian had filmed his final scenes and was indeed leaving – there would be no saving grace for Teddy: "We can confirm Roland will be leaving EastEnders this year, and we wish him all the best for the future." In today's episode, a prison officer confirmed that he would be transferred to Durham, hundreds of miles away from his family. This really is the end! Meanwhile, back in Albert Square, Harry was struggling to cope with the gravity of the situation and had overdosed once again. Gina Knight (Francesca Henry) found him in a comatose state in the Arches, sounding the alarm to his mum Nicola (Laura Doddington) and emergency services. Unaware of what was going on, Teddy was visited by brother Billy (Perry Fenwick). He explained that Harry was in a bad way and would promise to look out for him. He also made a huge blunder... Billy revealed that Nic was expecting George Knight's (Colin Salmon) baby, something which shocked Teddy to the core. Time was running out before his transfer to the North East, and there just wasn't enough time to accept the gravity of the situation. Billy promised that he would go and visit him, while Teddy made a shocking confession. He asked his brother to warn George that Nicola is "poison", and would ruin his life. Is there still another side to Nicola that we haven't seen? Read more: EastEnders airs desperate Sam Mitchell scenes as she takes advantage of Nigel Bates in BBC iPlayer release EastEnders Christmas and New Year spoilers: Your day-by-day guide as Slater and Branning secrets implode EastEnders 2025 Christmas schedule confirmed by BBC - including festive episode timings EastEnders reveals Anthony Trueman's disturbing secret as Zoe Slater falls into his trap in BBC iPlayer release EastEnders director reveals "eye-opening" experience crafting special Nigel Bates episode – and his incredible resilience to land the job Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. Add EastEnders to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app– download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Is Shetland returning for season 11? Alison O’Donnell "can't reveal anything"
"We're the wrong people for any of these questions."
When Douglas Henshall announced his depature from Shetland ahead of its seventh season, many might have been wondering how long the show could survive without its beloved leading man. Season 8 had already been confirmed, with Ashley Jensen later unveiled as his replacement DI Ruth Calder, but would the BBC crime drama have legs without Perez? "When I heard that they were going to reimagine the show, there was a part of me going, 'Oh no, we've got this legacy, and what if you get it wrong? Like, what if it doesn't work?'" Alison O'Donnell, who plays DI ‘Tosh’ McIntosh alongside Ashley Jensen's DI Ruth Calder, previously told RadioTimes.com. But her concern quickly evaporated – especially as the show went on to receive a two-season renewal. "I remember when the first episode [of season 8] was airing, my kids were still up, so I went into the other room, and when I watched it I actually cried," she added. "I sat on my own and I wept because it was partly relief, but also I was so proud of it. It was so much better than any of us really could have imagined. "And I always knew that there would be the dissenting voices, but I think there was far less of that than there could have been." But what of its future now? When asked by RadioTimes.com if an 11th season was on its way, Jensen said she had "no idea". "We can't reveal anything,"echoed O'Donnell, while Jensen added they are "the wrong people for any of these questions. Read more: Shetland's Ashley Jensen said her arrival as new DI could have "gone one way or another" Best Christmas TV for 2025 – your guide to what's worth watching "I have no idea, and I expect nothing," she continued. "And you know what? I think you've got to just live in the moment and be present and not worry about if people like Perez more than Calder, and not worry about if there's going to be season 11. "You've got to just be be here and know and enjoy what we have." Shetland seasons 1-10 are available to stream on BBC iPlayer. Ann Cleeves's Shetland novels are available to buy. Add Shetland to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
EastEnders icon Martine McCutcheon reveals she would return as Tiffany if asked – over 25 years since character was killed off
Martine McCutcheon has discussed a potential return to EastEnders – despite her character Tiffany Mitchell being killed off in 1999. However, this is Walford, where dying doesn't always mean you're gone forever. Some of the soap's most iconic characters; Den Watts (Leslie Grantham), Kathy (Gillian Taylforth) and Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) have all returned after being presumed dead, while a selection of other locals have appeared as ghostly apparitions. In fact, later this month, both Pat (Pam St Clement) and Barry Evans (Shaun Williamson) are returning to their old haunt for a special episode involving Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley). As his dementia symptoms worsen, Nige will turn to his old friends for support. But could a comeback for Queen Vic barmaid Tiffany be on the cards? "I’ve never even really had a chance to think about it because I’ve been so busy with the opportunities it gave me in the first place to keep going and keep evolving," Martine told Metro. "Honestly, if they approached me and the time was right and the storyline was something believable and really amazing, I think it would have to be amazing for me to justify it, because if it wasn’t, so many people would be disappointed." The Love Actually star continued: "It would be a big pressure because Tiffany was such an icon, and it would be so easy to do her a disservice. But I would definitely do it if it was right, because I just loved playing her so much. "She just had no rules. She was fearless and feisty and an amazing character to play. For that reason alone, for selfish reasons, I’d love to do it, but it would have to be right." Tiffany was remembered by her best pal Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) earlier this year, when she ran in to Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) outside The Vic. Bianca tore strips off Grant – who was married to Tiff – for the way he treated her during the final months of their marriage. As viewers will recall, he cheated on her with her mother, and she decided to leave for pastures new with their daughter Courtney. However, as she rushed out into the night, Frank Butcher (Mike Reid) turned the corner and hit her with his car. Read more: EastEnders airs desperate Sam Mitchell scenes as she takes advantage of Nigel Bates in BBC iPlayer release EastEnders Christmas and New Year spoilers: Your day-by-day guide as Slater and Branning secrets implode EastEnders 2025 Christmas schedule confirmed by BBC - including festive episode timings EastEnders reveals Anthony Trueman's disturbing secret as Zoe Slater falls into his trap in BBC iPlayer release EastEnders director reveals "eye-opening" experience crafting special Nigel Bates episode – and his incredible resilience to land the job Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. Add EastEnders to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app– download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guideto find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Strike season 7 confirms new and returning cast members in fresh look at new instalment
Season 7 will adapt The Running Grave, which was first published in 2023.
First-look images for Strike season 7 have been released, showing Tom Burke and Holliday Grainger back in action as Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott. Season 7 will be based on the next instalment in the book series by JK Rowling, writing under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith, titled The Running Grave. As the images have been released, the cast for season 7 has also been confirmed, with returnees including Ruth Sheen as Pat, Jack Greenlees as Sam Barclay, Tupele Dorgu as Midge, Natasha O’Keeffe as Charlotte, Sarah Sweeney as Lucy, Ben Crompton as Shanker, Stephen Hagan as DCI Richard Murphy and Caitlin Innes Edwards as Ilsa. Meanwhile, newcomers joining for the latest run of the show include James Fleet (I, Jack Wright), as Sir Colin Edensor, Nichola McAuliffe (Living) as Shelley Heaton, Keeley Forsyth (Poor Things) as Mazu Wace, Fabian McCallum (The Witcher) as Will Edensor and John Lynch (Blue Lights) as Jonathan Wace. The synopsis for season 7 says: "When Sir Colin and Sally Edensor approach Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott, they are desperate to reconnect with their estranged son, Will. The Edensors enlist the detectives to gather evidence to discredit the Universal Humanitarian Church, a religious cult who have indoctrinated Will and siphoned off his trust fund. "Led by the charismatic Jonathan Wace, the church is shielded by a charitable façade, celebrity backers and aggressive lawyers who have silenced critics. "To investigate allegations of ill-treatment and abuse, Robin goes undercover at the cult’s secluded Norfolk headquarters, Chapman Farm. "At the centre of the church’s twisted mythology is the story of the Drowned Prophet, Daiyu, believed to be divinely reincarnated. "While Strike gains valuable insights from former members on the outside, Robin finds herself facing unprecedented psychological and physical duress on the inside. "Solving the mystery of the Drowned Prophet’s death becomes key to the case but leads the detectives into dangerous, unchartered territory." The new five-part season has been adapted by Tom Edge, who has been behind the series since season 2, while director Sue Tully also returns, having directed seasons 4, 5 and 6. Strike season 7 will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in 2026. Seasons 1-6 are available to stream on BBC iPlayer. Add Strike to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
How to watch Julia Donaldson's The Scarecrows' Wedding and release date
Another of Julia Donaldson's beloved tales is coming to the BBC this Christmas.
Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's adorable tale, The Scarecrows' Wedding, will be brought to life by Magic Light Pictures for the BBC this Christmas. For over a decade, her beloved stories, ranging from The Gruffalo to Zog and beyond, have been adapted with a star-studded cast for a Christmas Day treat. This year is no different, as Domhnall Gleeson and Jessie Buckley lend their voices to Harry O'Hay and Betty O'Barley, respectively. They're joined by Rob Brydon as the villainous Reginald Rake and Sophie Okonedo as the narrator. The lovely tale recounts the story of two scarecrows who fall in love on a farmer's field and plan to have the best wedding ever, but it's not without peril as Reginald tries to come between the pair with potentially disastrous consequences... Read on for your guide on how to watch The Scarecrows' Wedding, and when it will be on TV this Christmas. How to watch The Scarecrows' Wedding The Scarecrows' Wedding will air on BBC One at 3:10pm on Christmas Day. And after it's aired on the BBC, you'll be able to catch it on BBC iPlayer whenever you desire. You can also find the other Magic Light adaptations on BBC iPlayer right now, so there's plenty to keep little ones entertained over the festive period. Check out the trailer for The Scarecrows' Wedding below: View oEmbed on the source website Read our guide to the best Christmas TV for 2025 The Scarecrows' Wedding will air this Christmas on the BBC. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what’s on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The War Between the Land and the Sea releases first look at final 3 episode – including dramatic finale
The finale, titled The End of the War, will air on 21st December.
As fans wait for the next instalment of Doctor Who spin-off The War Between the Land and the Sea to air, a host of first-look images have been released for the final three episodes. One of the images for episode 3, which will air at 8:30pm on BBC One this Sunday (14th December) and is titled The Deep, sees Vincent Franklin's Prime Minister Harry Shaw seemingly being influenced Stewart Alexander's General Oscar Gunsberg and Patrick Baladi's villainous Sir Keith Spears. Another from the same episode sees a team led by Colin McFarlane's General Pierce exploring an underwater cavern. Meanwhile, the images for episode 4, which will air directly after episode 3 and is titled The Witch of the Waterfall, show us Samuel Oatley as a Homo Amphibia named Tide, as well as Jemma Redgrave's Kate Lethbridge Stewart taking to the podium in the Empress Hall. <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/12/539820-f489e1e.jpg" width="4743" height="3162" alt="Stewart Alexander as General Oscar Gunsberg, Vincent Franklin as Prime Minister Harry Shaw and Patrick Baladi as Sir Keith Spears in The War Between The Land And The Sea. Shaw is sat at a table and the others are stood over him." title="539820,TITLE:The War Between The Land And The Sea" /> Another shows Russell Tovey's Barclay Pierre-Dupont and Gugu Mbatha-Raw's Salt locked deep in conversation. Images have also been released for the fifth episode, which is also acts as the show's finale, titled The End of the War. That episode will air at 8:05pm on Sunday 21st December. One of the images from the finale (at the top of this article) sees Salt serenely wading through the water, while another sees Barclay seemingly explaining something to Kate and Ruth Madeley's Shirley Anne Bingham. Another sees Barclay stood with a group of UNIT soldier, while one more image sees Shirley, Catherine Garton's Private Jane Hart and Francesca Corney's Sergeant Hana Chakri watching something off screen. Whatever it is, it seems to have got Sergeant Chakri upset, as she is seen with tears in her eyes. While we don't yet know where the series will go in its remaining episodes, Redgrave has teased that there could be some serious jeopardy in store for Kate, who has been a part of the Whoniverse since 2012's Doctor Who episode The Power of Three. <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/12/539959-5931d86.jpg" width="4743" height="3162" alt="Russell Tovey as Barclay Pierre-Dupont, Ruth Madeley as Shirley and Jemma Redgrave as Kate Lethbridge Stewart in The War Between The Land And The Sea. They are sat and stood around talking, with screens all around them." title="539959,TITLE:The War Between The Land And The Sea" /> Redgrave told RadioTimes.com exclusively: "If she survives this series, I don't know where she can go next… "But I've had a most extraordinary time and journey with this character and through different series of Doctor Who and now through this series. And every time I get the call, it feels like another gift. Long may it last." <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/12/539947-117ce29.jpg" width="4743" height="3162" alt="Ruth Madeley as Shirley, Catherine Garton as Private Jane Hart and Francesca Corney as Sergeant Hana Chakri in The War Between The Land And The Sea. They are sat and stood together watching something. Hana is crying." title="539947,TITLE:The War Between The Land And The Sea" /> The War Between the Land and the Sea will continue on BBC One on BBC iPlayer at 8:30pm on Sunday 14th December. Add The War Between the Land and the Sea to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Sci-Fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
EastEnders airs harrowing Harry Mitchell overdose scenes after Teddy's sentencing in BBC iPlayer release
Warning: Contains spoilers for Wednesday's episode of EastEnders, which airs on BBC One at 7.30pm or can be streamed now on BBC iPlayer.
Harry Mitchell (Elijah Holloway) has spiralled once again, following his dad Teddy's (Roland Manookian) sentencing in EastEnders. Last month, Teddy made the ultimate sacrifice for his son by taking the rap for a murder he committed. It came at the conclusion of a major drugs story, which saw Harry and best pal Kojo Asare (Dayo Koleosho) cuckooed by Okie Okyere (Aayan Ibikunle Shoderu), who used them to push narcotics around London. For weeks, Harry was tied to a bed and held hostage so that he wouldn't intervene in the operation. Luckily, Kojo came to his rescue and set him free, but the ordeal wasn't over. Okie returned to the scene and began to threaten Kojo, and during a scuffle with Harry, was accidentally stabbed to death. Teddy found his first-born in a state of despair, and refused to allow him to spend the rest of his life behind bars. That night, he called authorities and handed himself in. In today's episode, the Mitchell family were preparing to head to court, but were otherwise distracted by Harry's sudden disappearance from Albert Square. He was nowhere to be found, and mum Nicola (Laura Doddington) had to go without him. Meanwhile, George Knight (Colin Salmon) and his daughter Gina (Francesca Henry) continued the search effort. It wasn't long before they tracked him down to the Container Junction, where he'd been sleeping rough in one of the bars. It was at this moment that Gina clocked an unusual look between her dad and Harry, and the latter was forced to admit that he was the one who killed Okie, and not Teddy. She was gobsmacked, and seemingly lost for words. Against Nicola's advice, George then took him to the court, where Teddy was about to hear his verdict. The judge sentenced him to life imprisonment, with a minimum of 20 years before he would be able to apply for parole. Harry leapt out of his seat to claim responsibility, but Nicola ordered him to sit down. Unfortunately, his nightmare wasn't quite over. Upon returning home, he snuck out of the house and went to get another fix. Just moments later, Gina went to look for him and found him overdosing in The Arches. Will Harry be ok? Read more: EastEnders airs desperate Sam Mitchell scenes as she takes advantage of Nigel Bates in BBC iPlayer release EastEnders Christmas and New Year spoilers: Your day-by-day guide as Slater and Branning secrets implode EastEnders 2025 Christmas schedule confirmed by BBC - including festive episode timings EastEnders reveals Anthony Trueman's disturbing secret as Zoe Slater falls into his trap in BBC iPlayer release EastEnders director reveals "eye-opening" experience crafting special Nigel Bates episode – and his incredible resilience to land the job Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. Add EastEnders to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app– download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guideto find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Amandaland's Joanna Lumley teases Jennifer Saunders reunion: 'As far from Edina and Patsy as you can imagine'
Jennifer Saunders joins her Absolutely Fabulous co-star in the BBC comedy's first Christmas special.
Anticipation for Amandaland's first Christmas special was already as big as Amanda's Christmas trees (we're predicting multiple) following a first season that went down a storm with critics and viewers alike. But when it was announced that Jennifer Saunders would be joining the festive-themed episode – marking the first time she has been reunited on-screen with Joanna Lumley (Amanda's mother Felicity) since their Absolutely Fabulous days – it's now undoubtedly this Christmas's must-watch. Saunders is playing Felicity's sister, Joan, who is hosting at her country house, which Amanda hopes will be reminiscent of the Christmases of her childhood. But she "struggles to recreate" that magic, reads the official synopsis. "Every single scene with Jennifer Saunders was magnificent, a hilarious delight," said Lucy Punch, who stars as Amanda. "And Jennifer with Joanna was even better." But can viewers expect Edina and Patsy 2.0? Read more: Amandaland star teases Christmas special reunion for Absolutely Fabulous icons as Jennifer Saunders joins cast Dame Joanna Lumley reveals her vegetarian Christmas plans: "Wouldn't it be lovely if we didn't kill things at Christmas?" "We were playing characters as far from Edina and Patsy as can be imagined," said Lumley, but you can expect plenty of entertaining back and forth as Felicity becomes "increasingly irritated by her sister's constant high spirits". Felicity's ire is not shared by the cast, however, who "loved having her there, especially me, and it all felt empty when the Christmas episode was over and she had gone". <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2025/11/544033-7d6f2b9.jpg" width="4320" height="2880" alt="Jennifer Saunders as Aunt Joan, Philippa Dunne as Anne, Samuel Anderson as Mal, Lucy Punch as Amanda, Alexander Shaw as Manus, Miley Locke as Georgie and Joanna Lumley as Felicity in Amandaland, all sat and stood around a Christmas dinner table wearing paper crowns." title="544033,TITLE:Amandaland Christmas Special 2025" /> Amanda is also joined at her aunt's house by Anne, who is "in despair at being separated from her family", and Mal, who "sees a hidden photo that seems to reveal a deep family secret…" "The entire Christmas special episode is a favourite moment," said Philippa Dunne (Anne) when asked what she enjoyed most about filming the episode. "Performing a very funny script with very funny people, being in a beautifully Christmassy house in the countryside, singing carols in the rain at night and of course to top it all off working with Jennifer Saunders which has long been on my bucket list. "I'll have fond memories of it forever." In October it was also announced that production had begun on Amandaland season 2. "It's an absolute joy to be back in SoHa (South Harlesden) again," said writers Holly Walsh and Laurence Rickard at the time. "After six months of researching Brent Council's fly-tipping rules, attempting Anne's Irish accent and writing the odd bit of script, we're so excited to get filming with our amazing cast." The first season followed Punch's eponymous queen bee, who relocated to South Harlesden after her divorce – a move that brought plenty of challenges, including Amanda working in retail (the horror!) and narrowly avoiding what looked set to be another failed marriage following a whirlwind romance. But could a new romance be on the cards with her neighbour Mal? And what else will drive Anne to the brink of a nervous breakdown? Amandaland season 1 is available to stream now on BBC iPlayer. Season 2 will arrive 2026. Check out more of our Comedy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Why is there no Doctor Who Christmas special in 2025 and when is the next one?
Doctor Who fans are going to have to wait a while longer for a festive treat from the Doctor, with no Christmas special this year – but there will be one in 2026. The 2026 Christmas special will come after Ncuti Gatwa departed the TARDIS in The Reality War, with the Fifteenth Doctor regenerating a new incarnation, played by returning Who legend Billie Piper. It will also be the first episode of Doctor Who after the end of the deal with Disney, which has stood for the past two seasons and for spin-off The War Between the Land and the Sea. While plot details are thin on the ground about the Christmas special, already some tidbits are emerging about what's set to come from the highly-anticipated new instalment. Here's what we know so far! Why is there no 2025 Doctor Who Christmas special? There hasn't been an official reason given, but there are a few factors at play. It seems that there's no 2025 Christmas special because the deal with Disney only covered 26 episodes, which were split between two seasons and a five-episode spin-off, leaving no room for a 2025 Christmas special. A 2025 Christmas special also would have aired very close to the spin-off The War Between the Land and the Sea, which is being released weekly across December 2025 – and it seems likely that the BBC want viewers to focus on that for now. We don't know for sure when the deal with Disney ended, the BBC announced the news at the end of October 2025, which wouldn't have left much time at all for a Christmas special to be filmed for this year. When will the next Doctor Who Christmas special be? While nothing has been confirmed, of course we'd assume the 2026 will be released on 25th December 2026. The Doctor Who Christmas special usually airs in the early evening slot on BBC One. However, we may be getting ahead of ourselves, as showrunner Davies has revealed he hasn't actually started writing yet. Asked whether he's begun the process, he told RadioTimes.com: "Not at the moment because I'm busy on [The War Between the Land and the Sea]. I'm also shooting a show in Manchester, so next year my plate clears and we'll get to work on that." While he's keeping quiet on the details of the special, Davies also confirmed he's got the plot all worked out, saying: "I know exactly what happens in it, don't worry about that." What could the 2026 Doctor Who Christmas special be about? While nothing has been confirmed about the 2026 special, Davies teased that plot details have been shared with BBC bosses – and apparently what's to come left them "with jaws agape, loving it". Davies also recently shared a few cryptic clues with Doctor Who Magazine, writing in his latest column that the Christmas 2026 episode will feature the words "Bafflers" "Winternox" and "village". Presumably, Piper will return for the Christmas special and we'll learn a bit more about what happened with that surprising regeneration twist. But of course, anything could happen in the Whoniverse. Doctor Who is available to watch on BBC iPlayer. Add Doctor Who to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" class="x_OWAAutoLink" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Sci-fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
EastEnders airs desperate Sam Mitchell scenes as she takes advantage of Nigel Bates in BBC iPlayer release
Warning: Contains spoilers for Tuesday's episode of EastEnders, which airs at 7.30pm on BBC One or can be streamed now on BBC iPlayer.
Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) looks set to exploit vulnerable Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) in EastEnders. The Walford legend returned at the end of last week's episodes, watching Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) from afar, before making her proper comeback on Monday. She strolled into estranged brother Phil's (Steve McFadden) house, opened his safe and went to leave with a wad of cash - before being stopped in her tracks by Nige. Luckily for Sam, due to his young-onset dementia, he mistook her for his adoptive daughter Clare (Gemma Bissix), and allowed her to leave. It didn't take long for Phil to discover what had happened, and after receiving a vague description of the culprit, he went to point the finger at Nicola Mitchell (Laura Doddington). After being told that he was very much wrong, he marched out of Nic's house and saw Sam making a run for it down Bridge Street. She was meeting up with son Ricky (Frankie Day), to tell him that despite her bad parenting over the years, she wanted to set him up with a trust fund that would give him a comfortable future. Then, in true Sam Mitchell style, she planned to flee. However, Ricky's dad Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) soon caught up with her at the tube station, and she revealed she was 'dying'. In today's episode, it transpired that she had found a lump in her breast and was fearing that she had cancer like her mum Peggy (Barbara Windsor). Jack questioned why she hadn't been to the doctors yet, when Phil interrupted to get his money back. Later, Jack's partner Denise Fox (Diane Parish) caught up with Sam. The two have never seen eye-to-eye, but made a surprising deal - she would give her £20k in exchange for getting checked. There was also the condition that she'd stick around, and attend a family dinner with the Slaters. Sam firstly offended Jean (Gillian Wright) by mentioning her daughter Stacey (Lacey Turner) and Zoe's return, before realising that Jack and Denise were bluffing about their cash offer. Wanting the money more than ever before, she tried to win over her brother again. He refused to offer her a place to stay and said that he wasn't looking to reunite with her. As she was about to leave, another option presented itself - Nigel. He said that Phil wasn't the only one with a bit of money squirrelled away for a rainy day, and that he would be happy to help her out. After all, in his words, she is his daughter. Sam decided not to correct him and sat beside Nige with a sinister look on her face. Will she really take his money? Read more: EastEnders Christmas and New Year spoilers: Your day-by-day guide as Slater and Branning secrets implode EastEnders 2025 Christmas schedule confirmed by BBC - including festive episode timings EastEnders reveals Anthony Trueman's disturbing secret as Zoe Slater falls into his trap in BBC iPlayer release EastEnders director reveals "eye-opening" experience crafting special Nigel Bates episode – and his incredible resilience to land the job EastEnders airs shock passion for Zoe Slater following intriguing tormenter twist in BBC iPlayer release Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. Add EastEnders to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app– download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guideto find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Death in Paradise's Don Gilet responds to character criticism: 'I don't have to defend Mervin'
Fan reaction to DI Mervin Wilson’s arrival on the long-running BBC crime drama was divided.
It's safe to say that the reception to DI Mervin Wilson was mixed when he made his Death in Paradise debut in last year's Christmas special. The London native initially travelled to Saint Marie to track down his mother before officially becoming part of Saint Marie PD. And while some viewers enjoyed the change in tone from Ralf Little's Neville Parker, others weren't so keen, taking issue with his abrasive communication style, grumpy attitude and constant criticisms of Saint Marie. And when asked if he had a response to Mervin's critics ahead of this year's festive episode, Gilet backed his character, naturally. "I don't have to defend Mervin," he told RadioTimes.com and other press before going on to tease a change in the detective as he grows more comfortable in his new relationships. "This family thing that he's never had but he's always wanted, now it's there, and he's frightened," explained Gilet, adding context to why Mervin doesn't always make the best impression, as we previously noted in a piece defending him. "I think you're going to see a vulnerable side [to him]. Work is not a vulnerable thing for him. He can solve crimes with his eyes closed, it's what he does, it's what he's brilliant at. "What he's not brilliant at is showing emotion, showing vulnerability, and I think this is when you're going to see some of those layers come off as he starts to accept, first of all, that family isn't necessarily flesh and blood, it's having a sense of belonging, which he starts to get bit by bit throughout the first series, and more and more in the second where we find out, well, this is what family is. This is what home is. When you feel comfortable. It doesn't mean you have to be related to them. "For Mervin, it’s getting to that place where he feels he can trust these people around him to show another side of him." Read more: Death in Paradise's Don Warrington says fans are "right to worry" about Selwyn following major decision Beyond Paradise Christmas special teases Humphrey and Martha wedding in first-look pictures Shaquille Ali-Yebuah, who plays the newest member of the cast, Officer Sebastian Rose, went on to say that "it's crazy because while Mervin's figuring all these things out, it's right in front of him the whole time". "Officer Rose, Naomi, we're literally the family that he's never had, but we're here because we always pull through at the right times. It's like you're looking for something, searching for something. Can you realise it's been there the whole time, that you just didn't see it?" Ali-Yebuah also said that the characters are starting to make sense of Mervin, just as he’s starting to get to grips with who he is. "He's got a new brother, the situation growing up with no parents, so we understand why he's been hardened by his life and society, and now he's come to the Caribbean, which is a different type of frequency," he expanded. "So it's fun seeing us, who have been raised on a different frequency in the Caribbean, soften up Mervin." And it's vital that the team continue to strengthen those relationships because this year's festive trip to Saint Marie serves up one of their most perplexing cases yet... "The office Christmas party of a lifetime takes a dark turn when four co-workers wake up to find a stranger dead in the pool of their Caribbean villa," reads the official synopsis. "DI Mervin Wilson and the team identify the murder weapon, but they're left baffled when they find that it was locked in a drawer when the murder took place... thousands of miles away from the crime scene, in Swindon! "Stuck in Saint Marie, the team calls on the help of a familiar face to crack the case..." But the case isn't the only thing on Mervin's mind.. He's also "anxiously waiting to hear back from his newly discovered brother, which prevents him from embracing Saint Marie's Christmas celebrations". "Can Mervin resolve his family situation and get into the festive spirit – for the sake of his team and the island?" Alongside Don Gilet as the DI, you can also expect to see Shantol Jackson (Naomi Thomas) Élizabeth Bourgine (Catherine Bordey), Ginny Holder (Darlene Curtis) and Shaquille Ali-Yebuah (Sebastian Rose). Guest stars include Josie Lawrence (EastEnders), Kate Ashfield (Shaun of the Dead, Sanditon) Pearl Mackie (Doctor Who, The Diplomat), James Baxter (Waterloo Road, Still Open All Hours, Emmerdale), Billy Harris (Ted Lasso) and Alix Serman. The Death in Paradise Christmas special will air on 28th December at 8:30pm on BBC One and iPlayer. Add Death in Paradise to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
EastEnders Christmas and New Year spoilers: Your day-by-day guide as Slater and Branning secrets implode
Everything you need to know from Albert Square this Christmastime.
It's the most wonderful time of the year – but not for the EastEnders. Two weeks of festive fun for us viewers will see secrets explode throughout several households, culminating in a large police presence swarming Albert Square. Both the Slaters and the Brannings have a particularly eventful time, while Nigel Bates's (Paul Bradley) cognitive health declines... and he is visited by ghosts of Christmas past. There's quite a lot to fit in, but luckily for you, we've got a handy day-by-day guide to what's happening in Walford. Here's everything happening in EastEnders between 22nd December 2024 and 1st January 2025. EastEnders Christmas and New Year episode guide Monday 22nd December - 30-minute episode at 7.30pm The residents gather to watch Nigel's festive film screening, but Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) and Julie Bates (Karen Henthorn) are more concerned about his declining health and need for alternative care options. When Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) arrives at the community centre, Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) makes it clear that she's not welcome, and Julie drops a huge clanger - Sam has been back in the country for months, but has only just turned up in Walford. Led by director Lexi Pearce (Isabella Brown), Nige takes to the stage to make a speech to his audience, with Julie by his side. He notices the bruise on her face, and after realising he was responsible, flees the building. Phil and Julie start a desperate search to track him down, unaware that he's overheard their disagreement and has rushed off to The Vic. Meanwhile, a secret has been exposed, and Max Branning (Jake Wood) turns to Lauren Beale (Jacqueline Jossa) and Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) for some damage control. They vow to support him, and are under the belief that they've managed to talk him out of making an irrational decision. Little do they realise, he's also used Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) as a shoulder to cry on and may come to regret what follows next... Elsewhere, the Truemans are suspicious of Dr Anthony Trueman (Nicholas Bailey), and Zack Hudson (James Farrar) is forced to mask his frustration during an awkward encounter between Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig) and Ross Marshall (Alex Walkinshaw) - he's asked to move back into No. 43. Tuesday 23rd December - 30-minute episode at 7.30pm In a special episode, Nigel becomes confused with memories of Christmas past and during his intense state of confusion, imagines that Pat Evans (Pam St Clement) and Barry Evans (Shaun Williamson) are celebrating in the pub. Next door, the residents are still watching the film screening and are unaware of the drama unfolding. Phil puts an end to the enjoyment and orders everyone to leave, but when he's left alone with the footage playing in front of him, he has a realisation. Nige is soon found by Phil and Julie, who have come to the realisation that they need more help with his care. The pair prepare to tell him the truth. Christmas Eve, Wednesday 24th December - 30-minute episode at 6.55pm As Yolande Trueman (Angela Wynter) prepares for her carol service, Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker) and Chelsea Fox (Zaraah Abrahams) try and boost Anthony's mood on his first Christmas away from his wife and children. It soon becomes apparent that he's in no mood to celebrate. Across the Square, the Slaters can see that Zoe is in a similar mood, having put her stalking ordeal on the back burner over the last week. Kat has her suspicions and points the finger at Sam. Sam drops a bombshell, revealing that she has cancer and is actually there to seek support from Zack. Later, as the residents head to the carol concert, Zoe makes a shocking discovery at home. Meanwhile, Max is the name on everybody's lips, and he has a lot of olive branches to extend. He firstly attempts to win over Oscar, but is waylaid by Linda Carter (Kellie Bright). Having drowned his sorrows, Oscar Branning (Pierre Counihan-Moullier) makes a revelation to Max that could ruin everything. Elsewhere, Julie, Phil and Sam realise that Nigel has forgotten the previous day's events, which prompts the siblings to have a heart-to-heart about family. Finally, Barney Mitchell (Lewis Bridgeman) clocks that his biological father, Zack, has feelings for Vicki. Christmas Day, Thursday 25th December - Two 30-minute episodes at 7.45 and 9.45pm Kat is elated for her first Christmas with Zoe in two decades, but the feeling isn't reciprocated - she's on tenterhooks following yesterday's discovery. There's a big community dinner in The Vic, but it doesn't go smoothly as the Slaters end up arguing with another family, and a huge bombshell is dropped. Just as matters are resolved, another situation escalates, and Kat is forced to clear everyone out for Zoe's protection. Nobody can quite predict what is about to happen, with catastrophic consequences soon following for all involved. Meanwhile, Zack decides to feed the hungry punters at No. 31, while the Brannings and the Beales sit down for their turkey dinner at No. 45. Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) makes a return, which sets alarm bells ringing in ex-husband Ian's (Adam Woodyatt) and son Peter's (Thomas Law) ears. They must keep her away from Max - he did kill Steven Beale after all - but end up offending her in the process by telling her that she isn't welcome. Max can't quite shake what Oscar has told him, and more truths are soon exposed around the table. Boxing Day, Friday 26th December - 30-minute episode at 9.30pm Police descend on Albert Square as the residents witness the fallout of a particularly eventful yuletide. There are more questions than answers for those involved, and it's hard to see a way forward. Elsewhere, the Mitchells enjoy a drama-free day, with Nigel putting the preparations in place to make it one to remember. Monday 29th December - 30-minute episode at 7.30pm Things go from bad to worse for one family caught up in the shocking events of Christmas Day. The events of the big day continue to loom over everyone else, with the combined Beale-Branning clan attempting to put on a brave face for Lauren and Peter's sake at Jimmy's christening. There's one big issue - Cindy and Max still haven't come face-to-face, and the couple has to make the decision to revoke his invite to save any further drama at the church. However, when he presents his grandson with a thoughtful gift and is visibly upset at the thought of not attending the event, Lauren has a change of heart and tells him to come along. Cindy is furious and refuses to go if he's in attendance, but much to her relief, he's soon uninvited again after another bombshell from Jack. Max decides to ignore Lauren's warning and turns up at the ceremony. Elsewhere, Gina Knight (Francesca Henry) is elated to see that Harry Mitchell (Elijah Holloway) is home, but he breaks her heart by putting the pause on their relationship. However, Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) is also back in the area - much to the delight of Davinder "Nugget" Gulati (Juhaim Rasul Choudhury), Priya (Sophie Khan Levy) and Avani Nandra-Hart (Aaliyah James). Soon, it becomes clear that they are all unaware that Harry is plotting revenge. Tuesday 30th December - 30-minute episode at 7.30pm For the family caught up in the Christmas Day drama, more secrets rise to the surface. A resident makes a decision to get involved and attempt to help, but it backfires, and more trouble emerges. At the church, Max and Cindy make a huge scene in front of everyone, ruining the day. Oscar tries to settle his dad down, but he'd rather go and hit the bottle at Harry's Barn. He meets another resident there, who tries to give some guidance, but Max snaps back and causes more upset. Nicola Mitchell (Laura Doddington) has watched on from afar and delivers some home truths about his behaviour. With his tail between his legs, a sorrowful Max wanders off into the night to try and fix things... Elsewhere, Kojo Asare (Dayo Koleosho) is over the moon to see Harry again and encourages him to try and forget about Ravi when he details his revenge plan. However, when Barney refuses to move back into No. 1 after moving in with Zack, Harry sees red and decides to confront Ravi. New Year's Eve, Wednesday 31st December - 30-minute episode at 7.30pm As the residents prepare to hear the chimes of Big Ben ring in 2026, Max asks Oscar to help him set up a secret meeting at The Vic with Lauren. She's furious with her dad for his actions, and even more so that he's roped her brother into his devious behaviour. At Harry's Barn, he vows to fight for his family, unaware of what's in store over the next year... Meanwhile, Phil and Julie begin to look for care homes for Nigel, while Billy (Perry Fenwick) and Honey Mitchell (Emma Barton) look after him. He thinks that Honey is Julie and starts to flirt, as a bemused Billy watches on. It's a fresh start for Harry as he starts work at The Arches again, despite his struggles, while Gina also has a new beginning when she moves in with Harry's ex, Penny Branning (Kitty Castledine). Phil decides to give Harry some tough advice, but he misconstrues his words and decides to seek revenge on Ravi after all. Nicola is alarmed when she sees her son attempting to jump him. New Year's Day, Thursday 1st January - 30-minute episode at 7.30pm We skyrocket exactly one year into the future to find out just what 2026 may hold for Max and those around him. The Brannings are embroiled in drama on New Year's Day 2027, but what has happened, and why? Read more: EastEnders 2025 Christmas schedule confirmed by BBC - including festive episode timings EastEnders reveals Anthony Trueman's disturbing secret as Zoe Slater falls into his trap in BBC iPlayer release EastEnders director reveals "eye-opening" experience crafting special Nigel Bates episode – and his incredible resilience to land the job EastEnders airs shock passion for Zoe Slater following intriguing tormenter twist in BBC iPlayer release EastEnders 2025 Christmas preview: Four major returns as Max Branning bombshells implode in a face-off with Cindy Beale Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. Add EastEnders to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app– download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guideto find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
"Missing" Doctor Who story restored with animation has finally been added to BBC iPlayer
Ready for another game with the Toymaker?
The animated version of the Doctor Who story The Celestial Toymaker has been added to BBC iPlayer, meaning fans will be able to watch for free for the first time after its release on DVD and Blu-ray in 2023. The four episodes, titled The Celestial Toyroom, The Hall of Dolls, The Dancing Floor and The Final Test, are available to watch under the Doctor Who season 3 tab on iPlayer, along with many of William Hartnell's other adventures as the First Doctor. The story features the Doctor and his companions Steven Taylor (Peter Purves) and Dodo Chaplet (Jackie Lane) pitted against the immortal villain known as the Toymaker, played by Michael Gough. The Toymaker successfully tears the Doctor apart from his companions to play a twisted game, while Steven and Dodo themselves are also forced into some deadly challenges of their own thanks to his schemes. The Celestial Toymaker is known as one of Doctor Who's 'lost' stories after the original master tapes of the 1966 story were wiped, with only the fourth episode held in the BBC archives. The visuals for the animated story were been provided by Shapeshifter Studios, and marked a departure from previous restorations of missing episodes, which have featured a more traditional animation style. Previously addressing the change, audio engineer Mark Ayres – who has restored and enhanced the original soundtrack – described the technique as "experimental", and explained that it allows for greater fluidity of on-screen movement. "This, basically, is all done with motion capture, so they've got actors in to act all the parts along to the soundtrack," said Ayres. "It's all synchronised to the soundtrack – sometimes it doesn't work and I have to tweak the soundtrack where the dialogue hasn't quite synchronised. But it is a new technique, it is a motion capture technique, and it means the characters are far more fluid." View oEmbed on the source website Ayres acknowledged that the "different" animation style might "divide opinion", but added: "[We've] put an awful lot of hard work into it – I'm proud of it and the animators in Australia, they have really worked hard on this." The Toymaker returned to Doctor Who in 2023 for the 60th anniversary specials, played by Neil Patrick Harris. Doctor Who is available to stream on BBC iPlayer. Add Doctor Who to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" class="x_OWAAutoLink" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Sci-fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.