BBC Christmas schedule 2025: The best dramas, returning shows and festive highlights not to miss

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The BBC has announced its Christmas TV schedule for 2025, and it’s packed with exciting shows! Viewers can expect special episodes of favorite comedies, returning BBC dramas, and the long-awaited second season of The Night Manager, starring Tom Hiddleston and Olivia Colman.

Digital Spy has gathered a list of the best shows and movies planned for Christmas 2025 on BBC, so you can make sure you don’t miss anything!

Amandaland Christmas Special

Lucy Punch is reprising her role as Amanda Hughes in a special Christmas episode, continuing the story from the well-received first season of the Motherland spin-off which premiered in February. Punch described the special as “fantastic” and full of festive spirit, playfully adding it will be “totally amazing” and “a real treat!”

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The show will also feature some fantastic guest stars, like Jennifer Saunders, who will be appearing alongside Joanna Lumley – her co-star from the popular series Absolutely Fabulous.

Stuffed

Okay, so I just heard about this comedy special called Stuffed starring Guz Khan, and apparently, everyone’s saying it’s like a fun, family-friendly Christmas movie – a real feel-good watch for the holidays. It’s about an hour long, so perfect for a cozy night in!

I’m so excited for this new movie! It’s about a guy named Arslan Farooqi, played by Khan, who gets a surprise £8,000 Christmas bonus. He uses it to take his whole family – a really diverse, multi-faith family – on an amazing trip to Lapland! It sounds like a really heartwarming and fun adventure, trading their life in Coventry for a bit of Christmas magic.

Morgana Robinson, known for her appearances on Taskmaster, will be joined by Theo Barklem-Biggs (SAS: Rogue Heroes) and Sue Johnston in the upcoming project.

Two Doors Down Christmas Special

Okay, so I’m super excited – “Still Game” is coming back for a Christmas special after being off for two years! Apparently, Eric and Beth are putting their Christmas tree up early, and it accidentally gets everyone else in the neighborhood into the festive spirit. It’s just a half-hour special, but honestly, I can’t wait to see what they get up to.

Gregor Sharp wrote the episode again, and he’s thrilled to be returning to Latimer Crescent with the show’s familiar faces for this new installment.

Christmas is that special time of year when you reunite with loved ones, even though you’ll inevitably get on each other’s nerves – which somehow makes the holidays feel complete.

Call the Midwife Christmas Special

The popular Christmas tradition of watching Call the Midwife will continue this year with a special two-part episode. However, this time the story will unfold in both London’s Poplar and Hong Kong.

Fans can also anticipate a fifteenth season of the show in early 2026. This season will explore the women’s liberation movement of the 1970s, and will even feature iconic imagery like bra-burning.

Death in Paradise Christmas Special

The team returns to Saint Marie just as Don Gilet’s Mervin is struggling to get into the Christmas spirit, worried about news from his recently found brother. However, a mysterious death at a company Christmas party quickly pulls them into a new investigation.

BBC has revealed the guest stars for the 2025 Death in Paradise special: Pearl Mackie (known for Doctor Who), Billy Harris (from Ted Lasso), and James Baxter (Waterloo Road).

Beyond Paradise Christmas Special

Detective Humphrey Goodman, played by Kris Marshall, and Martha, played by Sally Bretton, are returning in a new series of Beyond Paradise this Christmas. The show will also feature guest appearances from Adrian Edmondson (known for Alien: Earth and A Spy Among Friends), James Lance (from Ted Lasso), and Jonny Weldon (who starred in One Day).

The show’s preview introduces a man who can’t remember anything, and he’s found with a picture of someone named Humphrey. At the same time, Martha is working hard to carry out a hidden scheme, and Kelby is attempting to assist a man stuck inside a snowman suit.

The Scarecrows’ Wedding

Last year, viewers enjoyed the animated adaptation of Tiddler. This year, the BBC and Magic Light Pictures are bringing Julia Donaldson’s The Scarecrows’ Wedding to life. Donaldson herself says this story is her personal favorite of all her collaborations with Axel Scheffler, and she’s particularly excited to see it adapted for animation.

Donaldson explained that the story is a romantic comedy, taking place on a seaside farm, and features a classic, over-the-top villain.

Rob Brydon, known for his work in animated films like The Gruffalo and The Snail and the Whale, will voice the character Reginald Rake in this new production. Jessie Buckley will play Betty O’Barley, and Domhnall Gleeson will be the voice of Harry O’Hay. Sophie Okonedo will narrate the story.

The Night Manager

Following the popular debut of the spy series – adapted from John le Carré’s 1993 novel – viewers will be pleased to know a second season is coming. The show was a hit when it first aired in 2016, and fans have been eager for more ever since.

Tom Hiddleston is reprising his role as MI6 agent Jonathan Pine, and he’ll be joined by Olivia Colman, Alistair Petrie, and Noah Jupe. The story suggests Pine will find himself caught up in a dangerous and complex situation.

Here We Go: Our New Year’s Fireworks Fantasaganza

Great news, everyone! My favorite comedy show on the BBC is coming back for a fourth season! And if that wasn’t enough, they’re giving us a special episode as a Christmas treat in 2025 while we wait. I’m so hyped!

I’m so excited! Tom Basden, who I loved in Plebs, is back with another brilliant cast! We’ll be seeing Jim Howick from Ghosts, the amazing Alison Steadman of Gavin & Stacey, Katherine Parkinson who was great in Rivals, Freya Parks from This Town, Jude Morgan-Collie who I recently saw in A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, Tori Allen-Martin from Unforgotten, Mica Ricketts of Best Interests, plus Ed Kear (also Ghosts) and Jon Furlong (Pushers). It’s a fantastic group of actors!

This New Year’s Eve, Rachel is determined to host a huge party, but Paul is dreaming of a peaceful getaway to a cozy cottage with a sauna. As you can imagine, the Jessop family holiday quickly descends into chaos, involving a road trip, a lost pacifier, and a large, somewhat questionable, shipment of fireworks Paul bought at a police auction.

The Repair Shop Christmas Special

This season of The Repair Shop will feature some exciting guests, including Dame Helen Mirren, beloved children’s author Julia Donaldson, and actor Rob Brydon, known for Gavin & Stacey.

Academy Award winner Helen Mirren is bringing a cello from the Second World War to be repaired. Meanwhile, Julia has a restoration project for Will Kirk and ceramics expert Kirsten Ramsay: fixing a beloved toy farmhouse that belonged to her grandmother.

The latest issue of Living Legends is now available! You can purchase Ariana & Witches at all good newsagents or online for only £8.99.

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2025-11-25 10:22