Hidden gems of Christmas TV 2025: An Our Yorkshire Farm star’s special, to Joanna Lumley’s BBC drama
The best Christmas TV of 2025 includes a bunch of headline-grabbing festive specials (feat. an Absolutely Fabulous reunion, Olivia Colman in the Bake Off tent and a new setting for Call the Midwife), but what about those lesser-known gems that will also bring that holiday cheer?
Digital Spy is here to make sure that you’re in the know, so read on to take note of our recommendations of the hidden gems of 2025’s Christmas telly – across the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and more.
BBC
A Ghost Story for Christmas: The Room in the Tower
BBC Two, Christmas Eve, 24 December, 10pm
This year’s BBC Arts Ghost Story for Christmas, adapted from E.F. Benson’s novel by Bookish‘s Mark Gatiss, will star Dame Joanna Lumley and Tobias Menzies (The Crown).
Set in the “inter-war years”, the synopsis teases: “For 15 years, Roger Winstanley has been haunted by an unsettling, recurring dream: an invitation to spend the night in the house of an acquaintance, where an unseen terror lurks and the figures who populate the dream seem to age in real time.”
It then adds that “an invitation to the dreaded room in the tower becomes all too real…”
BBC
The Mandy Who Knew Too Much
BBC Two, Monday 22 December, 10:25pm
This new Mandy Christmas special will see Diane Morgan’s titular character have “what can only be described as one of the worst Christmases ever”, according to the Beeb.
The synopsis adds: “Mandy rarely dabbles in global diplomacy, especially over Christmas when it’s so cold out and there’s good telly on, but when she does, you can bet that she makes a real difference to the balance of power in the world.”
Michelle Greenidge, Tom Basden, Roger Sloman and Hugh Quarshie will join Morgan for the one-off episode.
Lionsgate
The Hunting Wives
ITV1, 27 December, 9.30pm, and as a box set on ITVX
Brittany Snow, recently seen in Netflix’s The Beast in Me, stars in this glossy drama as lead character Sophie O’Neil, who must leave behind an idyllic life in Boston with her son and husband after a traumatic event.
Uprooting to Texas for a fresh start, Sophie then encounters the “enigmatic” Margo Banks (Malin Åkerman), who is married to her husband’s boss. What’s more, the synopsis continues, she is “thrust into the extravagant lives of her exclusive inner circle of privileged and affluent girlfriends known as the Hunting Wives.”
Sounds like the perfect binge-watch for that period between Christmas and New Year’s, if you ask us.
Channel 4
Finding Father Christmas
Channel 4, Christmas Eve, 24 December, 7.30pm
Described as a “heart-warming and hilarious” festive drama, Finding Father Christmas is a one-0ff special that follows 16-year-old Chris (played by BAFTA winner Lenny Rush), who still wholeheartedly believes in Father Christmas. After his concerned dad (The Inbetweeners‘ James Buckley) tells him the truth, Chris heads out on a mission to prove his dad wrong – meeting a host of people along the way, including Stephen Fry.
The exciting cast also includes Greg Davies (Taskmaster), Asim Chaudhry (People Just Do Nothing), and Rochenda Sandall (Line of Duty).
BBC
Wild London
BBC One, New Year’s Day, 1 January, 6.30pm
This brand-new film from Sir David Attenborough will turn attention to the wildlife of England’s iconic capital.
The synopsis reveals: “Having lived in London for 75 years, Sir David’s intimate knowledge of the city’s natural history means there’s no better guide to introduce audiences to London’s most spectacular wildlife secrets.”
BBC
Pudsey and the Thread of Hope
BBC One, Christmas Eve, 24 December, 10.20am
We know that the 2025 Julie Donaldson adaptation is to be The Scarecrows’ Wedding, but there’s another animation on the way this Christmas in the form of Pudsey and the Thread of Hope – the first time that BBC Children in Need’s Pudsey will be brought to life in animation.
The story by Tom Fletcher follows Jai, a young boy navigating grief after the loss of his father. The synopsis reveals that he will embark on “a journey of healing, hope and adventure with Pudsey”, and will meet other children along the way, who are “connected by a golden thread of kindness and empowerment, discovering the transformative power of friendship, courage and love.”
Voice stars include Baby Reindeer‘s Jessica Gunning, Diversity’s Ashley Banjo, Blue Peter presenter Shini Muthukrishnan and Starstruck‘s Nikesh Patel.
BBC
Amanda and Alan’s Spanish Christmas
BBC One, Monday 22 December, 9pm
After the success of Celebrity Traitors, which well and truly secured Alan Carr national treasure status, fans will no doubt be clambering to see him back on their screens.
This festive special will see him return to the sunny village of Moclín in southern Spain with his celebrity pal Amanda Holden, for this festive special following the success of their main travel series.
Sky UK
Never Mind The Buzzcocks Christmas Special
Sky Max and NOW, Thursday 18 December, 9pm
Greg Davies will be back for a new – and undoubtedly chaotic – Christmas special, joined by Noel Fielding, Sophie Willan and Jamali Maddix.
Guests this time around include Jessie J, Bros’ Matt Goss and Guz Khan, and we’ve also been promised a “bonkers panto-based round” to see the episode out. What a treat.
Channel 5
Reuben Owen: Christmas in the Dales
Channel 5, Tuesday 16 December, 8pm
Our Yorkshire Farm star Reuben returns in this festive one-off episode, set in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
The synopsis reveals: “In this Christmas special, Reuben and the crew take on their latest challenge: renovating a traditional stone barn for his girlfriend Jess’s family. Owned by her Nana Diane, the farm has been in the family for generations and 21-year-old Jess now runs the dairy and sheep farm with her father David. Nana Diane has long dreamed of restoring the old barn to its former glory, so if Reuben can source and lay traditional floor flagstones, she’s agreed to let him host his work Christmas party there.”
Michael Ochs Archives//Getty Images
Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror
Sky Arts, Christmas Eve, 24 December, 10pm
First released in cinemas, this celebratory feature looks at the lasting legacy of Richard O’Brien’s cult-hit musical, 50 years on.
With contributions from a number of the stars of the beloved 1975 film – including Tim Curry and Susan Sarandon – this special tracks its origins, as well as what it means to fans.
Channel 4
Hamleys: Top 100 Toys of All Time
Channel 4, Monday 22 December, 7.30pm
Who doesn’t love a countdown show at Christmas time? And what better topic than to take it back to the toys that we have grown up with, hitting that burst of nostalgia too.
During this 90-minute special, retailer Hamleys asked experts to pull together the top 100 toys, but whether your own letters to Santa dreamed of a Tamagotchi or that perfect Barbie doll, there’s sure to be something that will tap into a childhood memory or two…
BBC
What We Were Watching: Christmas 1985
BBC Four, Sunday 21 December, 7pm
The annual throwback show is back. Join Grace Dent as she digs through the BBC’s archives to see what we were watching 40 years ago.
Rachel Joseph//Sky
A League of Their Own
Sky Max, Saturday 20 December, 9pm
Tune in with host Romesh Ranganathan, as well as Jamie Redknapp, Jill Scott and Micah Richards, to wave farewell, as its the final episode of the award-winning sports-comedy game show. Guests include Big Zuu and Laura Kenny.
Love TV? Get your Christmas viewing sorted with the Good Housekeeping Christmas TV Guide, featuring 14 days of Christmas TV listings, plus everything you need for the ultimate festive viewing experience! Just £4.75 – available now at all good magazine retailers.
TV Editor, Digital Spy Laura has been watching television for over 30 years and professionally writing about entertainment for almost 10 of those. Previously at LOOK and now heading up the TV desk at the UK’s biggest TV and movies site Digital Spy, Laura has helped steer conversations around some of the most popular shows on the box. Laura has appeared on Channel 5 News and radio to talk viewing habits and TV recommendations. As well as putting her nerd-level Buffy knowledge to good use during an IRL meet with Sarah Michelle Gellar, Laura also once had afternoon tea with One Direction, has sat around the fire pit of the Love Island villa, spoken to Sir David Attenborough about the world’s oceans and even interviewed Rylan from inside the Big Brother house (housemate status, forever pending).
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