Outnumbered Christmas Special 2024
The Brockmans are back for the first time since 2016, and rumour has it they’ve welcomed a grandchild to the family – as well they might have, seeing as eldest son Jake is now pushing 30, and Ben and Karen are firmly in their 20s. Unlike the Gavin & Stacey special (see above), this one’s actually set at Christmas as Sue and Pete try to recreate an old-fashioned family Christmas in their downsized home with their adult children. Claire Skinner, Hugh Dennis, Tyger Drew-Honey, Daniel Roche and Ramona Marquez all return for the latest instalment of Guy Jenkin and Andy Hamilton’s much-loved comedy. Dec 25.
Taskmaster New Year’s Treat
It’s the time of year when non-comedian celebrities get to try their hand at herding cats, nailing jelly to a wall, or whatever silly, fun tasks they’ll be doing for the approval of Greg Davies. 2025’s quintet include footballer David James, money expert Martin Lewis, All Saint Melanie Blatt, presenter Professor Hannah Fry, and The Royle Family actor Sue Johnston. Read a bit more about them all here and bring on the silliness. Jan 1, 2025.
Call the Midwife
There won’t be one 90-minute special for long-running BBC drama Call the Midwife this year, but two hour-long specials written by series creator Heidi Thomas. It’s 1969 in Poplar, and the funfair’s in town, along with a dangerous flu strain, an escaped prisoner, and a visit from Mrs Higgins’ grandson. Expect mince pie contests, a carol concert and emotional drama. Dec 25.
Death in Paradise & Beyond Paradise
There’s a new sheriff in town in Death in Paradise, as the 2024 Christmas special introduces Don Gilet to the island of Sainte Marie as Londoner DI Mervin Wilson, the replacement for Ralf Little’s DI Neville Parker. He’s joined by Ghosts’ Jim Howick and Waterloo Road’s Angela Griffin in a tropical murder mystery involving multiple victims dressed as – who else – Father Christmas.
Cornish-set spinoff Beyond Paradise will also return for a Christmas special ahead of its third series, starring Kris Marshall, Sally Bretton and the gang.
Great British Christmas & New Year Bake Off
It’s a soaps-themed celebrity Christmas Bake Off this year, with contestants including Coronation Street’s Shobna Gulati, Emmerdale’s Sheree Murphy and Chris Bisson, and EastEnders’ Dean Gaffney and Natalie Cassidy (whose daughter Eliza, fun fact, was on Junior Bake Off in 2022). The New Year special will feature former contestants as detailed here.