Doctor Who: The Church on Ruby Road
On demand from Boxing Day, Disney+
Having calmed the restless Doctor Who diehards with three special episodes featuring franchise hotties David Tennant and Catherine Tate, showrunner Russell T. Davies now pivots into this take of Christmas weirdness to introduce the latest actor to play The Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) and his companion Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson).
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Wednesday, ABC, 7.31pm; Thursday, ABC, 3.30pm
A stunning assembly of more than 800 performers from the UK, Norway, Switzerland, Trinidad & Tobago and the United States deliver a show of marching bands, bagpipers, Highland dance, mock battles and fire breathing, filmed on the Castle Esplanade at Edinburgh Castle in Scotland.
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Downton Abbey
Thursday, Nine, 8.40pm
The film sequel to the television series of the same name picks up the story of the Crawley family, who own a vast historical estate in the English countryside, on the eve of a royal visit from King George V and Queen Mary in 1927. There is a plot afoot to bump off the King, and typical royal shenanigans follow.
The Famous Five: The Curse of Kirrin Island
On demand at anytime, Stan
A brilliant reboot of Enid Blyton’s sleuthing kids which somehow retains all the period detail but never struggles to cut through to a modern audience. Their first adventure, a sort of Indiana Jones jnr titled The Curse of Kirrin Island, presents the Five with an ancient puzzle connected to the Knights Templar. Great fun.
Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life
Thursday, Seven, 11pm
Terry Jones directs this 1983 classic, the last Monty Python film to feature all six members of the group before the death of Graham Chapman in 1989. With some hilarious songs – the titles of which do not bear repeating – The Meaning of Life is an assembly of sketches, from the gluttonous Mr Creosote to a dinner party gatecrashed by Death itself.
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Below Deck
Thursday, 7Bravo, 9.30pm; Saturday, 7Bravo, 10.30pm
If you are looking for a blue-chip reality TV addiction, it’s hard to go past the cool kids’ fave, Below Deck, the cruising yacht charter reality series which pits hideous guests against a frequently beleaguered crew. On Thursday’s episode you will meet Captain Sandy Yawn, and on Saturday’s episode you will meet Captain Lee Rosbach. Onboard yourself with a perfect double dose.
The Diplomat
On demand at anytime, Netflix
So, the question is this … did you watch it? And if you didn’t watch it, why didn’t you watch it? Of all the great shows you could binge this week – The Crown: Season 6, White Lotus: Season 2 and others – the first season of The Diplomat first season feels like the one that might have slipped under your radar. It’s a ripper. Keri Russell stars as US diplomat Kate Wyler, who is drawn into an international conspiracy after an attack on a British warship.
