Suggestions for families, crime fans, comedy lovers and more. You won’t need to leave your sofa until the new year Chris Fenn
TV Star
My TV Christmas cracker: Great Expectations
A fabulously dark and grownup adaptation of Charles Dickens’ psychologically complex novel Think of it as a late Christmas present: a new adaptation of Great Expectations running from the 27th over three nights. For me there is nothing in the festive schedules I am looking forward to more. It’s...
Christmas TV guide – your interactive festive planner
From Downton Abbey to Doctor Who, Outnumbered to The Borrowers, we’ve got it covered Chris Fenn
TV review: Downton Abbey
Julian Fellowes goads historians with some upstairs-downstairs mixing, but the Christmas special was still a return to form Since Prince Edward left the television industry, Julian Fellowes, a lord married to one of the Queen’s ladies-in-waiting, is the closest British TV has to royalty. And so it’s fitting that,...
Sarah Dempster’s Xmas TV highlights
From John Craven (yes, really) to the return of Hercule Poirot, our critic’s personal choice of what to watch over the weekend Christmas Eve The John Craven Years (BBC2, 7pm) The broadcasting titan chuckles his way over anecdotal hill and dale in this clip-heavy curiosity, its blend of politics,...
Sarah Dempster’s Xmas TV highlights
From John Craven (yes, really) to the return of Hercule Poirot, our critic’s personal choice of what to watch over the weekend Christmas Eve The John Craven Years (BBC2, 7pm) The broadcasting titan chuckles his way over anecdotal hill and dale in this clip-heavy curiosity, its blend of politics,...
Sarah Dempster’s Xmas TV highlights
From John Craven (yes, really) to the return of Hercule Poirot, our critic’s personal choice of what to watch over the weekend Christmas Eve The John Craven Years (BBC2, 7pm) The broadcasting titan chuckles his way over anecdotal hill and dale in this clip-heavy curiosity, its blend of politics,...
The best of Christmas 2011 radio
When there’s lots to organise, bake and consume, Christmas radio makes the perfect backdrop. But what will make your sprout-peeling go with a bang? Christmas Eve However much there is left to do, and however frazzled you feel, settle down with a mince pie and listen to Stopping by...
Why Charles Dickens’ novels make great TV
As the BBC adapts Great Expectations and The Mystery of Edwin Drood, the writers and producers explain Dickens’ appeal 2012 isn’t just about the Olympics. It is also the bicentenary of Charles Dickens’ birth and the BBC is kicking things off with two big Dickens drama adaptations – Great...
Christmas TV guide: your festive planner
What Christmas TV treats are worth watching? From Downton Abbey to Doctor Who, Outnumbered to The Borrowers, we’ve got it covered Chris Fenn