Christmas 2017: What to watch on TV today, Boxing Day
Here's your guide to what's on in the Christmas aftermath...
From a period thriller to a festive edition of QI, Boxing Day telly doesn't disappoint.
Snow Bears 6.30pm BBC1
Mildly traumatised Blue Planet II viewers, this one's for you. Snow Bears, a one-off documentary chronicling the 400-mile journey of a family of polar bears promises winter adventure and a whole lot of cuteness. Kate Winslet narrates and the music skilfully communicates every change in mood as the two cubs and their mother continue their journey towards a wildlife-rich patch of ice for the spring. It's been called a "fun-packed, snowy adventure" and we are very excited about it.
Little Women 8.00pm BBC1
Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy March will be hitting our screens on Boxing Day evening in the BBC's new adaptation of the much-loved classic, Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott. The three-part drama explores what it is to be a young woman, with first love, loss and sibling rivalry aplenty, brought to us by Call the Midwife creator, Heidi Thomas. Set in Ireland during the American Civil War, the series follows the lives of these four very different sisters while their dad is away working with troops.
- Traditional television habits still dominate Christmas day despite the rise in on demand viewing
- The best TV shows coming to Netflix in 2018
- EastEnders: Jessie Wallace to return as Kat Moon
Travel Man 8.00pm C4
Mad Men's Jon Hamm joins IT Crowd star Richard Ayoade on the distinctly un-festive Christmas episode of his travel documentary series. Expect deadpan commentary from Ayoade and scenes of the two trying Hong Kong street food specialities – including offal skewers and a soup made with five species of venomous snake. Think we'll stick to the left over stuffing and turkey...
The Miniaturist 9.00pm BBC1
This dramatisation of Jessie Burton's 2014 best-seller opens with a young woman named Nella Oortman (Anya Taylor-Joy) arriving in Amsterdam to join wealthy merchant husband Johannes Brandt after an arranged marriage. Johannes gifts her a doll's house, and it soon becomes clear that its interiors and figurines simulate reality and are even able to predict the future. This period thriller set in 1686 remains faithful to the novel and Romola Garai excels as Marin, Nella's sister in law. The drama concludes on the 27th December.
Dragon's Den 9.00pm BBC2
Our favourite business pitch challenge is back, with Den regulars Touker Suleyman, Deborah Meaden and Peter Jones joined by newer faces Jenny Campbell and Tej Lalvani. This festive edition sees a multi-millionaire freezing up approximately one sentence into his pitch, a pitch for healthy porridge (we thought porridge was already healthy?) and a seasonal business involving Santa Claus.
Big Fat Quiz of the Year 9.00pm, C4
A quiz that's become somewhat of a significant annual event in the British calendar is back once again, with Jimmy Carr putting a panel of celebrities to the test. Famous faces include Richard Ayoade, Noel Fielding, Katherine Ryan, Roisin Conaty and Big Narstie. Have they been paying attention to what's been going on this year or have they been burying their heads in the sand?
QI 10.00pm BBC2
The BBC's tricky quiz show invites us to stir from our food comas and puzzle over some Yuletide-themed questions in a festive episode. The Christmas special stars Holly Walsh, Jason Manford and Romesh Ranganathan, as well as familiar face, Alan Davies.