BBC highlights for the month of January include Happy Valley, Call the Midwife, Silent Witness, Death in Paradise, Hampton Court: Behind Closed Doors and Live at the Apollo.
Happy Valley – Series 3
Australian Premiere
Mondays at 11:00am and 9.30pm from January 2
Available to stream on Foxtel On Demand and Binge
Starring Sarah Lancashire, James Norton & Siobhan Finneran
6 x 60′
Sally Wainwright’s multi-award winning police drama returns for an unmissable final series. Starring Sarah Lancashire and James Norton.
When Sergeant Catherine discovers the remains of a gangland murder victim it sparks a chain of events that unwittingly leads her straight back to murderer and rapist Tommy Lee Royce. Meanwhile, Catherine’s grandson Ryan is now sixteen and has ideas of his own about what kind of relationship he wants to have with Tommy, the man Catherine refuses to acknowledge as his father.
The first two series of this critically acclaimed drama each won BAFTAs for Drama Series and Writing: Drama for Sally Wainwright, with Sarah Lancashire winning Leading Actress for series two.
Episodes will premiere on Mondays at 11:00am with encore episodes airing at 9.30pm.
Series 1 and 2 of Happy Valley are available to stream On Demand.
Call the Midwife – Series 12 (M)
Australian Premiere
Mondays at 10:00am and 7.30pm from January 2
Available to stream on Foxtel On Demand and Binge
Starring: Jenny Agutter, Leonie Elliot & Helen George
8 x 60′
The nuns and nurses from Nonnatus House return for more stories of midwifery and family life set in 1960s East London.
It’s 1968 and Enoch Powell’s infamous “Rivers of Blood” speech creates serious tension in Poplar, especially when a group of dockers march in support of Powell. The midwives welcome a new nun, Sister Veronica, who’s an instant hit with everyone – except Nurse Crane. Meanwhile, Trixie’s relationship with Matthew goes from strength to strength, while Nurse Crane helps Nancy with her financial woes. Sister Julienne enjoys helping out the district, Shelagh and Dr Turner split their time between the busy maternity home and their lively young family and Reggie continues to bring joy into Violet and Fred’s lives.
Cast includes Jenny Agutter, Leonie Elliot, Helen George, Judy Parfitt, Laura Main, Linda Bassett, Megan Cusack, Cliff Parisi, Zephryn Taitte, Daniel Laurie, Annabelle Apsion, Olly Rix, Stephen McGann and Georgie Glen.
Episodes will premiere on Mondays at 10:00am with encore episdoes airing at 7.30pm.
Silent Witness – Series 26
BBC First Premiere
Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:00am from January 3
Available to stream on Foxtel On Demand and Binge
Starring: Emilia Fox, David Caves & Aki Omoshaybi
10 x 60′
Award-winning crime drama Silent Witness returns for an exciting 26th series, with five more thrilling cases for the team at the Lyell Centre to solve.
Dr Nikki Alexander (Emilia Fox) and the team of forensic pathologists and scientists at the Lyell Centre investigate intriguing new cases: a body falling from the top of a skyscraper, a people trafficking operation, a suspicious death at a festival, a train crash, and corrupt police officers. The cases that end up at the Lyell Centre are rarely straightforward. Initial suspicions are challenged as the evidence mounts and Nikki and the team must work harder than ever to uncover the truth.
Episodes will premiere on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:00am with double encore episodes airing on Thursdays at 9.30pm.
Death in Paradise – Series 12 (M)
Australian Premiere
Saturdays at 10:00am and 8.30pm from January 7
Available to stream on Foxtel On Demand and Binge
Starring: Ralf Little, Don Warrington & Elizabeth Bourgine
8 x 60′
The sun-soaked, smash-hit whodunnit returns for more murder mysteries with a light touch and a warm heart.
DI Neville Parker has more crimes to solve on the blissful island of Saint Marie, kicking off with the mysterious death of a celebrity astronomer. And on a quiet hillside on the island, a bunch of Preppers are digging in for the apocalypse when one of them is killed. There’s also a baffling killing on a boat, a famous singer who finds herself under suspicion, a shocking murder at a wedding, and a simple domestic murder – that turns out to be Neville’s greatest ever challenge.
Episodes will premiere on Saturdays at 10:00am with encore episodes airing at 8.30pm.
Hampton Court: Behind Closed Doors – Series 2 (PG)
Australian Premiere
Thursdays at 8.30pm from January 26
3 x 60′
Hampton Court: Behind Closed Doors is an intimate look behind the scenes of King Henry VIII’s favourite palace and country retreat on the Thames. A Tudor jewel, Hampton Court now receives over a million visitors a year. In this series we’ll be getting up close and personal with the palace warders as they take us into the vast kitchens, the secret nooks, hidden crannies, vast grounds and gardens. We’ll follow the gardeners as they attempt to put on the largest tulip festival ever staged in Britain. We’ll see how the curators keep Hampton Court’s rich history alive today, from dealing with an incredibly rare and brand-new discovery that could belong to Anne Boleyn to revealing how an Indian encampment was set up at Hampton Court in World War I.
Live At The Apollo – Series 15 (M)
UKTV Premiere
Tuesdays at 8.30pm from January 31
7 x 45′
The UK is home to the cream of the comedy circuit, producing home-grown superstars and attracting the funniest comedians from around the world.
This long-running hit showcases the very best of that bunch – pure talents at the peak of their powers. Each instalment features an established comic who treats the crowd to a rip- roaring set, before introducing two more of the most exciting acts around. Series 15 is packed with the biggest stars in the business and the household names of the future, including Ardal O’Hanlon, Sindhu Vee, Guz Khan, Sara Pascoe and Tom Allen.
Attenborough Month (PG)
Every day in January at 8.30pm
Over the last eight decades, Sir David Attenborough has worked on countless films and TV series providing viewers around the world with the opportunity to get up-close and personal with some of the planet’s rarest and most fascinating creatures. Start the year with the iconic documentarian and enjoy some of his most extraordinary journeys as we dedicate a whole month to Sir David on BBC Earth.
Titles include Frozen Planet, Blue Planet I, A Perfect Planet, Dynasties, Trials Of Life plus more.
Summer on CBeebies (G)
All throughout January and February
Join CBeebies this summer with all your favourite friends enjoying summer activities. Join your favourites with episodes at the beach, pool or having fun outside this summer.
Includes Bluey, Hey Duggee, Sarah & Duck, Go Jetters & Andy’s Aquatic Adventures.
CBeebies Super Summer Weekends
Weekends at 1.30pm from January 7
CBeebies is the place to be for action packed weekend afternoons this summer. Join your favourite fast moving friends for super speed summer adventures by the water, under the sea or on land.
Titles include Swashbuckle, Grace’s Amazing Machines, Catie’s Amazing Machines, Bluey, Andy’s Adventures & Go Jetters.
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