The hinterland between Christmas Day and 31st December is the one time of year when it’s entirely acceptable to forgo all social interaction in favour of lounging in front of the TV - in fact, it’s actively encouraged, ideally with a tin of chocolates close to hand.
To make the most of your screen time - and avoid drifting off in front of yet another Bond film in a post-turkey stupour, or worse yet, accidentally trapping yourself in a Netflix loop that consists solely of The Princess Switch 3 or classic Home Alone (you can even rentthe house now thanks to AirBnb) - we’ve consulted the TV schedule to bring you an edit of the shows and Christmas specials that everyone will be talking about over the festive period. As ever, it's a mix of the obligatory big-budget period dramas, some family friendly options and a sprinkling of reality TV. Pass the Celebrations…
What to watch this Christmas...
The Best Christmas TV 2022
1 of 14Call The Midwife Christmas Special
It's one of the nation's favourite Christmas specials, raking in the views every year and it's likely that 2022 will be no exception. Lucille (Leonie Elliot), Trixie (Helen George) and Nancy (Megan Cusak) are all back and better than ever for the festive season. WATCH BBC One, 25 December
2 of 14Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special
Of course, we couldn't compile this list without including the Christmas dose of Strictly. Six new famous faces will be paired up with pro's – including pop star Nicola Roberts and Gavin and Stacey's Larry Lamb – will battle on the dance floor in the hope of being crowned Christmas champions. Keeeeep dancing! (Even if you are stuffed full of Yorkshire puddings and roast potatoes.) WATCH BBC One, 25 December
3 of 14Emily In Paris
Although this isn't strictly Christmas TV, it definitely still counts. With the new official trailer for series three having just dropped, Emily In Paris is set to be the binge-worthy Netflix drama we all need to lose ourselves in after a week of Christmas celebrations. The highly anticipated third series promises complicated romances for Emily, glamorous fashion and did we mention it's set in Paris? What's not to love? WATCH Netflix, 21 December
4 of 14Christmas Carole
Another year, another reinvention of the Dickens' classic A Christmas Carol. However, this one brings you Suranne Jones as an unashamedly wealthy entrepreneur who needs to learn the magic of Christmas before it's too late. WATCH Sky, 24 December
5 of 14The Confessions of Frannie Langton
Based on the novel of the same name by Sara Collins, The Confessions of Frannie Langton tells the story of Frannie's journey from a Jamaican plantation to the grand Mayfair mansion of celebrated scientist George Benham and his wife. WATCH ITVX, 8 December
6 of 14The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, the Horse
An animated version of the heartwarming book of friendship and family by Charlie Macksey, the movie version of _The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, the Hors_e features the voices of Idris Elba and Tom Hollander. WATCH BBC One, 24 December
7 of 14Motherland: Last Christmas
Everyone's favourite sitcom is back with another one-off Christmas special. Julia (Anna Maxwell Martin) is facing a huge amount of stress over the Christmas holidays when she has to deal with various grandparents demanding endless cups of tea, while the kids play with a VR headset bought by husband Paul. That should strike a chord with quite a few viewers... WATCH BBC One, 23 December
8 of 14I Hate Suzie Too
The hit Billie Piper series is back for a second serving and whilst it may not be especially Christmassy, you won't want to miss it. Billie’s character Suzie Pickles is now taking part in a celeb dance-based talent show and she’s got a new agent and publicist, having taken the decision to focus on her friendship with former rep, Naomi. She’s also negotiating her split from annoying ex-husband Cob (Daniel Ings) while trying to be there for her young son Frank. WATCH Sky, 20 December
9 of 14Happy Valley
It was last on TV back in 2016 - which seems like a lifetime away now - but Happy Valley is back for its third and final season. In this series, Sarah Lancashire's Catherine discovers the remains of a gangland murder victim in a drained reservoir which sparks a chain of events that unwittingly leads her straight back to Tommy Lee Royce (James Norton). WATCH BBC One, 1 January
10 of 14His Dark Materials
Another incredible series coming to an end along with 2022 is His Dark Materials. The show based on Philip Pullman’s trilogy of novels of the same name returns for its third and final run. When we rejoin Lyra, who’s still being held captive by Mrs Coulter (Ruth Wilson). Meanwhile, Will continues with his quest to find Lyra and Asriel travels through various worlds to recruit people for war. WATCH BBC One, 18 December
11 of 14Riches
This new drama is bringing all the glitz, glamour and of course drama that we need this Christmas. When hair and beauty mogul Stephen Richards (Hugh Quarshie) suddenly dies, his family struggle to cope with their grief and the business, especially when his estranged American daughter Nina (Deborah Ayorinde) and son Simon (Emmanuel Imani) arrive from New York. WATCH ITVX, 22 December
12 of 14Royal Carols: Together at Christmas
They constantly dominate the headlines, but if you want a chance to see the royal family in a different light this Christmas, we suggest checking out Royal Carols: Together at Christmas. The Princess of Wales will return to Westminster Abbey to host a special Christmas carol service that will definitely leave you feeling festive. WATCH ITV, 15 December
13 of 14Strike: Troubled Blood
The fearless duo of Cormoran Strike (Tom Burke) and Robin Elliott (Holliday Grainger) are back solving another mystery. This time they're helping a woman find her mother who went missing in 1974. WATCH BBC One, 11 December
14 of 14Trainspotting with Francis Bourgeois
For a festive special, Olympic diver Tom Daley who’ll be swapping the diving pool and knitting needles for the open rails as he joins Francis for a heart-warming Christmas expedition. The pair will adventure across London, spreading joy with railway inspired gifts with a festive finale at Waterloo Station, resulting in one of the most embarrassing moments of Tom Daley’s life so far. Streaming from 3pm on Christmas Day on Channel 4's YouTube channel.