Television Time: BBC Shows – December 2021

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and BBC Studios continues to deliver a whole month of shows to keep you jolly this December.

Ever wondered what lies beyond the solar system we know? This month on BBC Earth, from the makers of The Planets, famed physicist Professor Brian Cox takes the audience on an interstellar journey through the vast galaxies on UNIVERSE to discover new alien planets, star formations and such, all while using the latest CGI to help us understand  the science.

If you’re still thinking of the perfect Christmas meal for your loved ones, get inspiration and learn top tips from our celebrity chefs on BBC Lifestyle’s slew of Christmas specials. Expect some kitchen-table tourism on Nigella’s Cook, Eat, Repeat Christmas where Nigella showcases an extensive range of delights for the festive season from near and far – including homey treats such as Linzer cookies to succulent Norwegian pork ribs to suit every palate. For the more adventurous at heart, follow Gordon Ramsay, Fred Sirieix, and Gino D’Acampo in Gordon, Gino and Fred: Desperately Seeking Santa as they travel around Lapland in their recreational vehicle to deliver a letter to Santa and witness the northern lights, all while experiencing and tasting different cuisines in the country like reindeer meat.

On Christmas Eve, bring out the festive cheer together with your children on CBeebies featuring three Christmas specials. Everyone’s favourite six-year-old Blue Heeler dog is back in Bluey Series 1: Christmas Episode, where Bluey learns the virtue of kindness after getting her cousin, Socks, upset after a game of Verandah Santa. Learn more about another culture through food in My World Kitchen S4 Ep 15, where young cook Dougie teaches us how to make an Essex Yule Log for Christmas. In Jojo & Gran Gran Christmas Special, the duo goes in search of the perfect tree at the Christmas tree farm.

Adapted from the popular short story by Oscar Wilde, The Canterville Ghost premieres on BBC First with Anthony Head starring as the ghost Sir Simon de Canterville, he begins to haunt American billionaire Hiram Otis and his family as they move into the abandoned Canterville Chase. Grantchester alsoreturns with its sixth series, beginning in 1958 in the Cambridgeshire village. Together with DI Geordie Keating (Robson Green), Reverend Will Davenport (Tom Brittney) continue to solve crimes at every corner with their morals at stake when loved ones are involved.

BBC Earth

UNIVERSE

Premieres Sunday, 5th December at 9:00pm, on StarHub channel 407 and BBC Player

Deep space. High drama. Take a front row seat for the greatest show in the universe. From the makers of The Planets. Every night, above our heads, a drama of epic proportions is playing out. Alien planets, zombie stars, black holes bigger than a billion suns. The cast of characters is extraordinary, and each one has its own incredible story to tell. Universe takes you on an interstellar journey to places we didn’t even know existed 10 years ago – including new discoveries of strange alien worlds. Using incredible CGI and drawing on huge advances in technology and scientific understanding, it immerses you in awe-inspiring wonders. The Planets captured the story of the solar system. Universe goes far beyond, propelling you into the vastness of space.

Boxing Day Tsunami 

Premieres Friday, 10th December at 9:55pm, on StarHub channel 407 and BBC Player

Follow the path of the most devastating tsunami on record, whose deadly ripple effects would be felt across the globe. First came an earthquake deep below the Indian Ocean. Minutes later, in the early hours of Boxing Day 2004, a 100-foot wall of water ripped through Indonesia. Then the tsunami reached Thailand, leaving unimaginable devastation in its wake. This probing documentary tracks the Boxing Day tsunami’s catastrophic course. Scientists demonstrate the connection between the initial earthquake and subsequent tsunami. Rescuers describe the furious scramble to save lives and survivors try to make sense of the tragedy and loss.

BBC Lifestyle

The Great British Bake Off: Christmas Special 2020 

Premieres Wednesday, 1st December at 8:20pm, on StarHub channel 432 and BBC Player

Christmas sparkle comes to the iconic Bake Off tent as the presenters and judges embrace the holiday spirit. Merry bakers from Bake Off past join Paul, Prue, Noel and new co-host Matt Lucas to compete in festive-themed challenges.

Nigella’s Cook, Eat, Repeat Christmas 

Premieres Monday, 6th December at 8:20pm, on StarHub channel 432 and BBC Player

The Christmas tree is up, the tea lights are sparkling, wood is burning in the fire pit, and it’s the culinary highlight of the festive season and the year. Nigella is indulging in a little kitchen-table tourism with food from near and far to warm up the winter evenings and add a special sparkle to the season. Expect wintry walks bolstered by warming and celebratory food and drink: melt-in-the-mouth Linzer cookies, gloriously pink pomegranate cocktails, smoked salmon on black bread and Norwegian pork ribs with Swedish-inspired Jansson’s temptation.

Gordon, Gino and Fred: Desperately Seeking Santa

Premieres Tuesday, 14th December at 10:10pm, on StarHub channel 432 | 10:05pm on BBC Player

Gordon, Gino and Fred are getting together for another extraordinary culinary Christmas adventure, with a visit to Lapland. Could they meet Santa in person?

CBeebies

Bluey Series 1: Christmas Episode

Premieres Friday, 24th December at 6:50pm, on StarHub channel 303 and BBC Player

It’s Christmas and Bluey is very focused on being good to get more presents. But when a game of Verandah Santa leaves cousin Socks upset, Bluey must learn the virtue of kindness.

Jojo & Gran Gran Christmas Special

Premieres Friday, 24th December at 6:50pm, on StarHub channel 303 and BBC Player

It’s Christmas, and Gran Gran needs a new tree. JoJo and Gran Gran visit the Christmas tree farm and search for the perfect one – not too tall and not too short.

My World Kitchen S4 – Ep 15

Premieres Friday, 24th December at 8:00pm, on StarHub channel 303 and BBC Player

Dougie makes an Essex Yule Log for Christmas.

BBC First

The Canterville Ghost

Premieres Friday, 3rd December, on StarHub channel 502 and BBC Player

Sir Simon de Canterville is the premier ghost in the British Isles, and exquisitely proud of his dastardly reputation. When the Otis family leave America and move into the Canterville’s abandoned family estate, Sir Simon prepares to give them the fright of their life. There’s just one problem. The Otises aren’t scared of ghosts.

Grantchester Series 6

Premieres Friday, 10th December, on StarHub channel 502 and BBC Player

It’s 1958 and trouble is brewing in the Cambridgeshire village of Grantchester. Reverend Will Davenport (Tom Brittney) relishes his role as a firebrand vicar, willing to rock the boat and challenge conventions to help people. But the very role he loves put him at odds with his own ideals when his kind-hearted curate, Leonard Finch (Al Weaver) is caught up in a scandal. Will’s best friend, Detective Inspector Geordie Keating (Robson Green), finds his principles shaken, housekeeper Mrs Chapman (Tessa Peake-Jones) is distraught, and Geordie’s wife Cathy (Kacey Ainsworth) is defiant. With new crimes around every corner, and morality and legality at loggerheads, it’s going to take all of Will’s skill and empathy to navigate these choppy waters and help the ones he loves.

All Creatures Great and Small Series 2

Premieres Friday, 24th December, on StarHub channel 502 and BBC Player

Heading back to the glorious Yorkshire Dales for more entertaining and heart-warming Herriot stories, we re-join James and the Skeldale family in the throes of Spring with the fields full of lambs. Following his promotion, James has ambitions for the veterinary practice, but events back home throw his future in the Dales into jeopardy. James and Helen must navigate their feelings for each other whilst there is still time, meanwhile Siegfried, Mrs Hall and Tristan navigate family tensions, love-interests and an array of animals great and small. Whilst they will come to realise that they are all better together, James must ultimately make a choice between the things he loves the most.

BBC Player

Ghosts Series 3

Premieres Wednesday, 1st December on BBC Player

The hugely successful supernatural sitcom is back, following the comedy chaos of a houseshare between the living and the restless dead. Written and created by the stars of Horrible Histories and the creators, writers and stars of fantasy comedy Yonderland and feature film Bill, this latest series sees Alison and Mike working hard to bring their new guest house dreams to life. But when an unexpected visitor arrives at Button House with a shattering revelation, Alison questions everything she thought she knew. The resident ghosts react with varying degrees of fear, mistrust, and – in some cases – delight. Meanwhile, Mike is more intent than ever to put Button House on the map.