Guides · Holiday Season
The British TV Hub Holiday Guide: What to Watch
As the evenings draw in and the dark settles earlier each day, five confirmed Christmas specials are on their way to British TV screens this December — a locked-room mystery, a Jane Austen sequel, a wartime prequel, a return to the Yorkshire Dales, and a new mystery on Saint Marie. Here's what's confirmed so far, and where to stream each one in the US. Shopping for a fellow fan too? See British TV Hub's Autumn Gift Guide.
Curated and verified by British TV Hub · Last checked September 2026
What's Confirmed So Far
British broadcasters tend to announce their Christmas lineups gradually through the autumn, so this list only includes specials that have been officially confirmed by the BBC, BritBox, or another named broadcaster — nothing here is a guess. British TV Hub will keep adding to this guide as more specials are announced.
Confirmed Special
Christmas 2026 · BBC · BritBox
John, Lucy, and Henry escape to a remote Yorkshire hotel for the holidays, only for a blackout to turn the festivities into a locked-room murder mystery. Sir David Suchet, best known for playing Poirot, guest stars against type as a murder suspect.
At a Glance
SettingRemote Yorkshire hotel
Guest StarSir David Suchet
Best ForLudwig fans, Poirot fans
TonePuzzle-driven, festive
Series ContextFollows Season 2 (Oct 2026)
Available OnBritBox
Watch on BritBox →
Read the Full Guide →
Confirmed Special
The Other Bennet Sister: Christmas Special
Christmas 2026 · BBC · BritBox
Ella Bruccoleri returns as Mary Bennet in a three-part Christmas special (3 x 30') continuing her story after the events of the original series. Sarah Quintrell will write all three episodes from storylines by Janice Hadlow, with Asim Abbasi returning to direct. Production is taking place primarily in Wales.
At a Glance
SettingRegency-era England
LeadElla Bruccoleri as Mary Bennet
FilmedPrimarily in Wales
Best ForJane Austen and period drama fans
Series ContextFollows Season 1's finale
Available OnBritBox
Watch on BritBox →
Confirmed Special
Christmas 2026 · BBC One / iPlayer · Expected on PBS
A wartime prequel set in September 1939, following younger versions of the Poplar nuns and midwives as war is declared and Nonnatus House's world changes. Julie Hesmondhalgh, Helena Wilson, and Helen Schlesinger lead as younger Sisters Alice, Julienne, and Monica Joan, with Jenny Agutter returning to narrate as the older Sister Julienne. There's no traditional Call the Midwife Christmas special this year — this three-part prequel replaces it entirely.
1939 PoplarWWII prequelThree parts
At a Glance
SettingPoplar, London, 1939
NarratorJenny Agutter
LeadsJulie Hesmondhalgh, Helena Wilson
Best ForCall the Midwife fans
US PlatformExpected on PBS (unconfirmed)
UK BroadcastBBC One, Christmas 2026
Read the Full Guide →
Confirmed Special
All Creatures Great and Small: Christmas Special
2026 · Channel 5 · Expected on PBS Masterpiece
The residents of Skeldale House return for another Christmas in the Yorkshire Dales. Channel 5 has renewed the beloved period drama for Series 7 and 8, each with its own Christmas special — this one accompanies Series 7, which begins its UK run in autumn 2026.
Yorkshire Dales1940s period dramaAnnual tradition
At a Glance
SettingDarrowby, Yorkshire Dales
Series ContextAccompanies Series 7
Best ForAll Creatures fans
ToneWarm, gentle, heartfelt
US PlatformExpected on PBS Masterpiece (unconfirmed)
Premiere DateTo be announced
Confirmed Special
Death in Paradise: Christmas Special
2026 · BBC One · Expected on BritBox
Death in Paradise will return with a new Christmas special in 2026. The BBC has renewed the series through Series 17 and confirmed Christmas specials for both 2026 and 2027. Details of this year's festive mystery and its US BritBox premiere have not yet been announced.
Saint MarieCozy mysteryDetails TBA
At a Glance
SettingSaint Marie (Caribbean)
RenewalConfirmed for 2026 & 2027 specials
Best ForDeath in Paradise fans
ToneSunny, gentle, puzzle-driven
US PlatformExpected on BritBox (unconfirmed)
Premiere DateTo be announced
Beyond Paradise has aired a Christmas special every year since its 2023 debut, but a 2026 special has not yet been officially confirmed. This guide will be updated if the BBC announces one.
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Where can I watch British Christmas specials in the US?
BritBox carries many British Christmas specials for viewers in the US and Canada, although release timing varies by programme. PBS Masterpiece carries selected period dramas and other BBC productions, while Acorn TV offers holiday episodes from some of its mystery series. Always check the individual programme listing for current availability, or see British TV Hub's Where to Watch guide for the full picture.
Is the Call the Midwife: Sisters in Arms special coming to PBS?
As of this guide's last update, no US broadcaster has been officially confirmed. PBS has carried Call the Midwife for years, making it a strong candidate, but this page will be updated once it's confirmed.
Do I need to watch previous seasons before these specials?
The Other Bennet Sister special continues the story after the original series, so watching Season 1 first is recommended. Sisters in Arms is a prequel and works as a standalone entry point even for newcomers. Ludwig's Christmas special is a self-contained mystery, though it's more fun with Season 1 and 2 context.
Are Death in Paradise and Beyond Paradise both confirmed for 2026?
Death in Paradise has officially been confirmed for a 2026 Christmas special, with the BBC renewing the series through Series 17 and confirming specials for both 2026 and 2027. Beyond Paradise has not yet received the same confirmation, although it aired Christmas specials in 2023, 2024, and 2025 — see the note above, and this guide will add it as soon as it's announced.
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