The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
HolidayTV
In the show’s two-hour Christmas special set in 1846, Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert (Tom Hughes, “The Game”), hopes to recreate the Christmastime joy of his youth. For her part, Victoria tries to make an African girl named Sarah (Zaris-Angel Hator, “Black Earth Rising”) feel welcome within the palace. Tensions are high between the Royal couple, but the holiday spirit has a habit of bringing people together.
“Victoria” is expected to return to ITV in early 2019 with eight episodes set in 1848, a turbulent time for the monarch. Those hoping for another Christmas special may be out of luck, however. No plans for another holiday edition have been announced, but at least fans can revel watching Coleman and Hughes in the 2017 special.
Of course, the U.K. is known for much more than just period dramas, and so is Coleman. Fans of the iconic television series “Doctor Who” may remember the actress as Clara Oswald, who served as the companion of both the 11th and 12th incarnations of the alien time-traveler known as The Doctor. A Time Lord, The Doctor traverses the universe in the TARDIS, a time-traveling space ship that looks like a blue British police box. The quirky science fiction show first aired on the BBC from 1963 to 1989, and was revived in 2005.
Over the years, 13 actors have taken on the coveted role of The Doctor, who regenerates when it’s time. Past Doctors include William Hartnell (“The Army Game”), Peter Davison (“Campion”), David Tennant (“Broadchurch”) and Peter Capaldi (“The Thick of It”). This year marked a big change for the series with its first female Doctor as Jodie Whittaker (“Black Mirror”) took the reigns from Capaldi in the 2017 Christmas special in front of nearly eight million viewers. Believe it or not, “Doctor Who” Christmas specials have peaked even higher in the ratings over the years. The top-rated Yule-themed “Doctor Who” special featured Tennant’s Doctor alongside Kylie Minogue (“Neighbours”) as Astrid, a waitress on an intersteller replica of the Titanic who helps the hero prevent the space liner from crashing into Earth. The program drew more than 13 million viewers when it aired on Christmas Day in 2007.
Coleman’s first appearance as Clara is actually in the Christmas special “The Snowmen,” which premiered on Christmas Day in 2012. In it, she enlists The Doctor’s help to stop an entity known as the Great Intelligence from creating an army of ice people. Other holiday editions have featured everything from robot Santas, alien spiders and wooden humanoids.
While the original run of the series didn’t feature proper Christmas specials, the new “Doctor Who” has included a holiday treat every year since it was revived in 2005, and this year will be no different. At this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, showrunner Chris Chibnall confirmed that the new season would feature Whittaker’s Doctor in a Christmas special in addition to the 10 regular episodes. It remains to be seen whether Whittaker’s holiday offering will entice as many diehard fans as past Christmas specials
In addition to sweeping dramas and legendary science fiction, British television is known for comedy, and one of the most memorable holiday specials of the modern television era was the official finale of the BBC Two mockumentary “The Office.” After creators Ricky Gervais (“Extras”) and Stephen Merchant (“Extras”) announced they wouldn’t be writing another season of the hit series, they appeased disappointed fans with a two-part Christmas special.
The holiday program revisited the characters from the comedy, including Gervais as David Brent, who was once the general manager of the branch of a paper company where the other characters worked. Martin Freeman (“Fargo”) appeared as witty Tim Canterbury, the antithesis to kiss-up Gareth Keenan (Mackenzie Cook, “Game of Thrones”), and Lucy Davis (“Wonder Woman,” 2017) portrayed office receptionist Dawn Tinsley. The special wrapped up the agonizing will-theywon’t-they storyline between Dawn and Tim in a bow for fans of the series.
Christmas specials run the gamut from drama to science fiction, and even comedy, so there is truly something for everyone this holiday season. Check local listings for a full list of British Christmas programs to celebrate the season.