December 2014 Highlights – BLACK MIRROR • DOCTOR WHO • DOWNTON ABBEY • ESIO TROT • THE WRONG MANS

December is a particularly busy month in British TV because of the two-week period over Christmas and New Year when various shows air specials. It's less exciting in the U.S, where shows go on mid-season hiatus until January or February. (I've never understood that, seeing as you have more of a captive audience thanks to 'holiday period + winter weather', but whatevs.) Below are my picks of the best stuff heading our way this month—although there's always a level of secrecy with UK scheduling, so it's subject to change and amendment the closer we get to Christmas time. As always, let me know about any glaring omissions, and I will sneakily update this post. (That's an added incentive for RSS readers to visit the actual blog, too...)

TOY STORY THAT TIME FORGOT

(ABC, 2 Dec) The latest animated short from the Pixar crew, this time focusing on Trixie the triceratops (Kristen Schaal) and a group of delusional action figures. Guest voice of Kevin McKidd.

MARCO POLO - Season 1

(Netflix, 13 Dec) New historical drama about explorer Marco Polo's early days in the court of Kublai Khan. Starring Lorenzo Richelmy, Benedict Wong, Zhu Zhu, Tom Wu & Remy Hii.

ASCENSION

(Syfy, 15 Dec) This new sci-fi miniseries has a ludicrous concept, concerning how the U.S government launched an interstellar space mission in the 1960s, intending for the crew aboard to populate a new world 100 lights years away. I'm all for alternative histories, but this sounds bad. There will be two new episodes every night for three days, as Syfy clearly want to get this over with. Starring Brian Van Holt, Tricia Helfer, Andrea Roth & Brandon P. Bell.

BLACK MIRROR: WHITE CHRISTMAS

(Channel 4, 16 Dec/DirecTV, Christmas Day) One of the biggest treats is going to be Charlie Brooker's feature-length Black Mirror special, co-starring Jon Hamm (Mad Men), Rafe Spall and Oona Chaplin. This edition will contain three interconnected stories, linked by Hamm's character, and it's recently been revealed that one of the tales concerns the ability to 'block' people in real-life (as you would on social media sites like Twitter).

THE BRITISH COMEDY AWARDS

(Channel 4, 17 Dec) It hasn't been at its best in recent years, but I always enjoy the BCA's regardless. The opening monologue's always vinegary fun, and at least two of the acceptances speeches can be counted on to make everyone laugh. I even find myself caring about who wins some of the bigger awards, which is unusual for shows like this.

PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS: MARKED

(Sky Arts 1, 18 Dec) One-off drama special about an incompetent hitman (Kiefer Sutherland) who realises his next target is Santa Claus (Stephen Fry).

MOZART IN THE JUNGLE - Season 1

(Amazon Prime, 23 Dec) It seems like it's taken forever, but the successful Amazon pilot finally debuts its debut season this month. A drama set behind the scenes of a world-famous New York orchestra.

THE INCREDIBLE ADVENTURES OF PROFESSOR BRANESTAWM

(BBC1, Christmas Eve) Comedian Harry Hill stars as the eponymous inventor, adapted from the Norman Hunter books by Charlie Higson (The Fast Show). Co-stars Vicki Pepperdine & Simon Day.

DOCTOR WHO – Christmas Special

(BBC1, Christmas Day) Regular as clockwork, it's the festive edition of the sci-fi adventure series. Rumours persist that it'll mark the end of Jenna Coleman's tenure as companion, which fits with the title "Last Christmas". To be frank, Who's specials have been incredibly hit-and-miss, but I'm hoping this one will be more "The Snowmen" than "The Time of The Doctor". Spaced's Nick Frost co-stars as Santa Claus.

DOWNTON ABBEY – Christmas Special

(ITV, Christmas Day) The first Christmas special was lovely (with the servants party and Matthew proposing to Lady Mary, remember?) but the others haven't been so good. Fingers crossed 2014's effort will be back to form.

STRICTLY COME DANCING – Christmas Special

(BBC1, Christmas Day) The celebrity dancing show returns for another festive edition, with Bruce Forsyth back on hosting duties alongside Tess Daly. The celebs taking part are Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Lisa Riley, Rachel Stevens, Louis Smith, Chris Hollins & Russell Grant.

THE BOY IN THE DRESS

(BBC1, Boxing Day) It's great that annual adaptations of David Walliams's children's books have become a tradition, following Mr Stink and Gangsta Granny, so here comes The Boy in the Dress—about a 12-year-old lad who finds an escape from his home life thanks to fashion. Starring Billy Kennedy, Jennifer Saunders, Meera Syal, David Walliams & Tim McInnerny. Walliams will have to hurry writing more, if this tradition's going to continue!

ESIO TROT

(BBC1, Boxing Day) Dame Judy Dench and Dustin Hoffman star in a TV adaptation of Roald Dahl's lesser-known story Esio Trot, which is 'tortoise' backwards. It's written by Richard Curtis, so hopes are high. The BBC haven't release a trailer yet, but Germany has... so click above if you understand German.

MAPP & LUCIA

(29-31 December, BBC1) Steve Pemberton (League of Gentlemen) stars in this three-part drama about a self-important woman, Elizabeth Mapp, who leases her home to an equally indomitable woman called Emmeline "Lucia" Lucas.

DEREK – Christmas Special

(TBA, Channel 4) I'm not a fan Ricky Gervais's melancholy sitcom about a man-child living in an old folk's home, but it's at least good news this seasonal special marks the end of the whole embarrassing thing.

STILL OPEN ALL HOURS

(TBA, BBC1) Last year's unexpected revival of Open All Hours (without the late Ronnie Barker) didn't trigger a comeback for the series, to the disappointment of David Jason's showbiz agent, but for some reason it's back as another Christmas treat. Oh joy.

TOP GEAR – South American Special

(TBA, BBC2) The Top Gear trio journey to South America for their latest automobile adventure of half-scripted stunts and banter, which features their infamous encounter with Argentinian locals upset they were surreptitiously poking fun at the Falklands War.

THE WRONG MANS

(TBA, BBC2) The comedy-drama spy caper returns for a two-part conclusion, picking up the story of hapless friends Sam and Phil, who are now living in America and have to escape from a Texan jail.

THE CASUAL VACANCY

(TBA, BBC1) Adaptation of Harry Potter author J.K Rowling's book, about a small English town after the death of Parish Councillor Barry Fairbrother, which trigger conflict before the election for his successor.

CUCUMBER

(TBA, Channel 4) New drama from Russell T. Davies about two gay lovers whose lives are thrown into chaos after a threesome. Starring Vincent Franklin, Cyril Nri & Julie Hesmondhalgh.

CUCKOO

(TBA, BBC3) Christmas special of the comedy about a suburban family living with a peculiar, free-spirited American, who's the son of their daughter's late-husband. Starring Greg Davies & Taylor Lautner.