BBC confirms Christmas BBC iPlayer releases for beloved classics - from Gavin & Stacey to The Office

The festive archive drop reunites decades of comedy, drama and cookery favourites on one page.

Nessa dances at a Christmas party with a beer bottle in one hand

BBC/Toffee International Ltd/Tom Jackson

Published: Tuesday, 3 November 2026 at 12:56 pm

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BBC iPlayer has delivered some early Christmas presents for viewers already feeling the festive spirit, bringing together a sizeable collection of favourites for a special seasonal section.

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The selection spans classic comedy, cosy drama, natural history, festive cookery and family films, with the promise of more treasures being added as we get nearer to the big day.

Comedy leads the way, with the archive reuniting some of Britain's best-loved sitcoms and sketch shows, from all-timers like The Morecambe and Wise Show and The Two Ronnies, to contemporary hits Amandaland and Ghosts.

You can also expect to find Gavin & Stacey, which dominated Christmas 2019 and 2024 with its farewell specials, and Miranda, which has been rumoured for a revival since its star's popular appearance on The Celebrity Traitors.

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The wider comedy selection also stretches to Porridge, The Good Life, One Foot in the Grave, Extras, Yes Minister, Mrs Brown's Boys and Inside No. 9.

Beyond the laughs, there is a generous spread of cosy winter drama, including Pride and Prejudice, The ABC Murders and A Ghost Story for Christmas, alongside the familiar comfort of Call the Midwife, Death in Paradise and All Creatures Great and Small.

For those after some kitchen inspiration, the festive food collection serves up the combined expertise of Mary Berry, Nigella Lawson, Nigel Slater, The Hairy Bikers and more.

Nature lovers are catered for too, with Frozen Planet I and II, and Billy Connolly's A Scot in the Arctic among the titles offering suitably snow-covered scenery.

The film strand is anchored by all four Nativity! films, which are fun for the whole family, along with some more adult choices like Jason Bateman's Office Christmas Party and Renee Zellweger classic Bridget Jones's Diary.

The BBC describes the drop as the moment "Halloween gives way to Christmas" (although not everyone will be ready to make that transition just yet).

Read on for the full list of titles in BBC iPlayer's Christmas launch line-up:

Christmas Films

Martin Freeman and the cast of Nativity!

Martin Freeman and the cast of Nativity! Entertainment One

Christmas Comedy

Two women sit on a floral sofa in a cosy living room decorated for Christmas, with a lit tree behind them; one looks surprised while holding a plate of mince pies and the other smiles at the camera holding a mince pie.

Jennifer Saunders as Aunt Joan and Joanna Lumley as Felicity. BBC/Merman/Natalie Seery

Christmas Food

Mary Berry in a Christmas-themed kitchen smiles at the camera and presents a delicious-looking festive dish.

A Mary Berry Christmas. BBC/Sidney Street Productions for Darlow Smithson Productions/Banijay UK/Richard Hill

Christmas Arts and Crafts

A promo photo for Whitehouse & Mortimer: Gone Christmas Fishing; Bob Mortimer holds biscuits to his eyes while smiling, and Paul Whitehouse stands next to him with tinsel hanging over his shoulders

Whitehouse & Mortimer: Gone Christmas Fishing. BBC / Owl Power / Tom Jackson

Christmas Drama

Martin Freeman as Goodchild in A Ghost Story for Christmas: The Bride's Chamber, sitting in a chair in a dimly lit room with a big bushy beard wearing a smoking jacket.

Martin Freeman as Goodchild in A Ghost Story for Christmas: The Bride's Chamber. Adorable Media /Joe Duggan/BBC

Christmas Game Shows and Quizzes

Michael McIntyre wearing a dark blue sit with his arms stretched out in celebration.

Michael McIntyre presents The Wheel. BBC/Hungry McBear/Gary Moyes

Natural History Specials

Sir David Attenborough filming for Frozen Planet II

Sir David Attenborough filming for Frozen Planet II. BBC Studios/Alex Board

BBC iPlayer's Christmas archive is available from Monday 2 November 2026.

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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.

Authors

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of David Craig, smiling against a lime green background.

David CraigSenior Drama Writer

David Craig is the Senior Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest and greatest scripted drama and comedy across television and streaming. Previously, he worked at Starburst Magazine, presented The Winter King Podcast for ITVX and studied Journalism at the University of Sheffield.

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