Hot Press TV Christmas Special

MOONFLEET
December 16, Sky 1
Shiver me timbers! Based on the much-loved John Meade Faulkner novel, Moonfleet tells the story of John Trenchard, an ambitious 18th century youth desperate to join up with the local band of smugglers, led by Ray Winstone’s tough Elzevir Block. The two-part adaptation depicts the pair’s thrilling search for the pirate Blackbeard’s fabled lost diamond as they brave choppy seas, dangerous rogues and more along the way.

DRACULA
December 21, Sky On Demand
Now halfway through its debut season, Dracula can be caught up on via Sky’s On Demand service from December 21. An especially lavish production (it would want to be, to be fair!), this latest incarnation of a classic tale cleverly mixes the traditions established by the Bram Stoker original novel with the thrills and spills we expect from modern TV. Jonathan Rhys Meyers is excellent in the multi-pronged role, effectively inhabiting three different characters as the masks begin to slip.

MRS BROWN’S BOYS CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR SPECIALS
TBC, RTÉ One
That’s right, not one but two Yuletide servings of Mrs Brown (and her Boys, of course). The awardwinning comedy returns for two one-off specials, both of which promise all kinds of awkward shenanigans. In the Christmas Special, Mrs Brown finds her family games night falling apart like a house of cards as the gathered guests tear up the rule book in wacky fashion. Meanwhile, by the time the New Year Special rolls around, a homeless parrot causes havoc, ending the year in typically chaotic style!

ZIG AND ZAG’S SUPER BLOOPERS
TBC, RTÉ One
Everyone’s favourite alien puppet duo are back on our screens this Christmas, with devilment very much on their agenda. Zig and Zag have provided many a hearty laugh over the years, but this time they’re getting in on the act alongside Aidan
Power with Zig And Zag’s Super Bloopers, a seasonalthemed collection of hilarious, unplanned clips compiled from home videos, television and the best of the web.

NEXT YEAR’S NEWS
New Year’s Eve, RTÉ Two
A new Irish comedy panel show with a twist, Next Year’s News takes a sideways look at the biggest news stories out there before throwing a bunch of hilarious predictions into the mix. Chaired by The Voice of Ireland’s Eoghan McDermott and boasting PJ Gallagher and Neil Delamere as captains, the successor to The Panel is set to kick off with a bang this New Year’s Eve with a special year-in-review rundown before taking up a regular slot in the coming months.

THE BIG FAT QUIZ OF THE YEAR
TBC, Channel 4
Since 2004, Jimmy Carr has presided over this alternative, witty and highly irreverent review of the previous 12 months, rounding up the year’s biggest stories in quiz form on a month-by-month basis. Bolstered by top celebrity names appearing either as contestants - Russell Brand, Jonathan Ross, Rob Brydon, David Mitchell and Michael McIntyre are regulars - or guest questioners, The Big Fat Quiz of the Year usually descends into comic anarchy long before the winners are crowned.

SHERLOCK SERIES 3
January 1, BBC One
Two years on, the mystery of Sherlock Holmes will finally be revealed. Having seemingly leapt to his demise only to somehow resurface by his own grave at the end of series two, well, he’s got some explaining to do, to be honest. In the interim period, Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman have seen their stock rise significantly thanks to turns in Star Trek Into Darkness and The Hobbit but fans have clamoured for their small screen reunion. Sherlock simply wouldn’t be Sherlock without their marvellous onscreen chemistry and regular bickering.

THE IT CROWD NIGHT
TBC, Channel 4
In case you missed The IT Crowd’s bittersweet send-off, Channel 4 are set to provide viewers with a bumper blowout as the Chris O’Dowd-fronted sitcom takes over the channel for one night only this festive season. Fans can re-live this year’s
hour-long finale and take in a brand new behindthe- scenes documentary narrated by Stephen Mangan (Green Wing, Episodes) and featuring interviews with the cast, guest stars and A-list super fans. The evening will also see the airing of a ‘People’s Choice’ episode and series creator Graham Linehan’s personal favourite episode of the entire run.

DOCTOR WHO CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
Christmas Day, BBC One
As iconic festive staples go, we’d like to think that The Doctor trumps both Eastenders and the Queen’s speech. This year’s Doctor Who Christmas Special comes with added poignance as Matt Smith officially signs off, ushering in Peter Capaldi as the long-running series’ 12th Doctor. He won’t go quietly, however, as The Time of the Doctor finds him rescuing companion Clara from a family dinner (we’ve all been there) only to be drawn into a deadly battle that threatens his fate and that of the universe itself. All that and the return of the dreaded Cybermen!