Published: November 30, 2024 — There are a feast of programmes to entertain all the family over the festive fortnight, with an unmissable line-up that will bring people together in a way that only the BBC can

BBC Two

Carols from King’s

The candlelit Chapel of King’s College, Cambridge is the stunning setting for this much anticipated annual celebration of the Christmas story, told through music, readings and prayer with an invited congregation of college members and guests. This year marks the seventieth anniversary of the first carol service being broadcast.

Led by the Dean, the Revd Dr Stephen Cherry, the programme begins in the time-honoured way as a solo chorister sings the first verse of Once in Royal David’s City, just as it did in 1954. The world renowned choir, directed by Daniel Hyde, sings carols old and new, including O Holy Night (arr. John E West), Nativity Carol (arr. John Rutter), Nowell, Nowell, Nowell (Elizabeth Maconchy) and Ave Maris Stella (Edvard Grieg). The choir leads the congregation in popular carols, including O Come All Ye Faithful, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. The story of the Nativity is read by members of King’s College in the words of the King James Bible and in poems by Christina Rossetti, Edwin Muir and G K Chesterton.

Top of The Pops: Review of The Year 2024 (w/t)

Top Of The Pops returns for a special hosted by Clara Amfo.

The show will take a look back over the last 12 months delving into music’s biggest stories and showcasing performances from some of the most talked about artists of 2024.

Top of The Pops: Review of The Year 2024 is a BBC Studios (1 x 60) production for BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. It was commissioned by Jonathan Rothery, Head of Popular Music TV. The Commissioning Editor for BBC Popular Music TV is Rachel Davies. The Executive Producer for BBC Studios is Alison Howe.

Wham!: Last Christmas Unwrapped

This Christmas, in celebration of its 40th anniversary, BBC Two and BBC Music presents WHAM!: Last Christmas Unwrapped – an hour-long celebration from Blink Films and Sony Music Entertainment, in association with Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael Entertainment, of a latter-day Christmas classic, telling the story of how George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley’s WHAM! turned one song into a cultural phenomenon.

A nostalgic film brimming with memories, this special reunites a cast of characters from the song’s illustrious history. Featuring prominent artists, music producers and industry experts, the Christmas TV special delves into the compelling inside story of Last Christmas’ creation and its enduring appeal.

From George Michael’s creative brilliance to the long-held secrets behind the much-loved magical music video, Last Christmas explores what these achievements meant to George and Andrew during this pivotal year for WHAM! Pop fans will see new interviews from Andrew Ridgeley, Pepsi DeMacque-Crockett and Shirlie Kemp, and we hear from George, who passed away on Christmas Day in 2016, via archive radio and video footage.

The charming film features a once in a lifetime reunion with some of the genuine group of close friends from the original music video, set against the stunning snow-covered backdrop of Saas-Fee in Switzerland. We’ll see Andrew, Pepsi, Shirlie, and friends revisit the video locations (including the ski lift and instantly recognisable alpine chalet), revealing exclusive, never-before-heard stories from the video that have remained a group secret – until now. We hear from the Mayor of Saas-Fee, who 40 years ago, was the band’s driver during the shoot and discover what happened to the iconic diamanté brooch which featured in the video.

Pop fans will delight in a musical and lyrical analysis of Last Christmas, as well as new interviews with WHAM! fans and friends, including Mary J Blige, Sir Bob Geldof, Neil Tennant and Sam Smith, who give their views on the song’s themes of unrequited love and loss.

The show includes rare and exclusive archive footage, including a world exclusive first broadcast of George Michael performing Last Christmas at Wembley Arena in December 2006, never seen before outtakes from the original 35mm music video footage, and George and Andrew’s personal photographs.

Wham!: Last Christmas Unwrapped is a Blink Films production (1 x 60”) for BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. It was commissioned by Jonathan Rothery, Head of BBC Pop Music TV. The producers for Blink Films are Justine Kershaw and Laura Jones and the director is Nigel Cole. The Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Rachel Davies.

Mariah Meets Rylan

Filmed on location in Los Angeles, the multi-platinum record selling, Grammy Award-winning artist Mariah Carey meets Rylan for the first time. Rylan will be quizzing Mariah about life, music, and of course, the festive season as her classic hit All I Want For Christmas Is You celebrates its 30th anniversary.

During her extensive interview with Rylan, Mariah discusses how she came up with the melody for her smash hit Hero, the jobs she had before she was famous, her multiple appearances on Top of the Pops and her love for the show, her inspirations – including Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston and George Michael; working with Jackie Chan and Westlife and her reflections on this year being the 30th anniversary of her single, All I Want For Christmas Is You and album, Merry Christmas. Plus, Rylan puts Mariah’s English accent to the test and pretends to audition her to be in the BBC’s leading continuing drama, EastEnders.

Mariah Meets Rylan is a BBC Studios Music production (1 x 55”) for BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. It was commissioned by Jonathan Rothery, Head of BBC Pop Music TV. The Executive Producer for BBC Studios Music is Alison Howe and the Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Rachel Davies.

Inside No. 9: The Party’s Over

The door may have closed on Inside No.9, but there’s still time to venture behind the scenes. This documentary tells the story of one of TV’s darkest and most celebrated comedies, featuring cast interviews and extensive candid moments with creators Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton. Cameras are admitted everywhere throughout the making of the show’s final series, from the writers’ room to the makeup trailer, from prop store to set design, making this the perfect farewell to the multi-award winning series.

Inside No. 9: The Party’s Over is a BBC Studios Comedy Productions and Redwood Studios production (1 x 60) for BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. It was commissioned by Jon Petrie, BBC Director of Comedy. The Executive Producer for BBC Studios Comedy Productions is Josh Cole and the Executive Producer for Redwood Studios is Ben Padfield. The Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Gregor Sharp.

Cunk on Life

Following the global success of Cunk on Earth, pioneering documentary-maker Philomena Cunk (Diane Morgan) returns with her most ambitious quest to date; venturing right up the universe and everything, to examine life itself.

“What’s the point of it all?” is a question humans have been asking themselves since the dawn of time. But as we cling to our dying planet, working round the clock while we’re slowly being replaced by machines, now more than ever, people are desperately looking to make sense of their lives – before someone invents a computer that makes sense of it for them.

This one off special will see Philomena tackle some of the most complex concepts to have ever been discovered, including Quantum Physics, Existentialism, Nihilism, Hedonism – and at least four other isms – as well as exploring subjects from the big bang to biology, morals to meditation and art to artificial intelligence.

In her search for answers, she’ll also examine some of history’s foremost thinkers and ground-breaking creatives, from Dostoyevsky to Van Gogh, from Nietzsche to whoever came up with those signs in kitchens that say, ‘Live Laugh Love’.

Along the way, she’ll meet leading experts and academics and not let them leave until she’s got to the bottom of such questions as: what is life, why are we bothering to find out and when’s lunch.

Cunk on Life (1 x 75’) is a Broke and Bones production for BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. Created and written by Charlie Brooker, written with Diane Morgan, Ben Caudell, Erika Ehler, Charlie George, Eli Goldstone, Jason Hazeley, Lucia Keskin, Joel Morris, Michael Odewale. The series was ordered for BBC Two and BBC iPlayer by Jon Petrie, BBC Director of Comedy. The director is Al Campbell, the series producer is Susie Hall, the line producer is Lizzie Search, and the executive producers are Charlie Brooker, Annabel Jones, Ali Marlow and Ben Cavey. The commissioning editor for the BBC is Tanya Qureshi.

Festive House of Games

Four famous faces go head-to-head testing their general knowledge skills in a variety of fun trivia-based games in Richard Osman’s Festive House of Games.

All week, the celebrity contestants – Jim Howick, Matt Morsia, Rebecca Lucy Taylor and Susan Wokoma – will take on a series of quiz rounds selected by the host, quiz legend, Richard Osman. A winner will be declared following a quick-fire round at the end of the show and they will be taking home a prize and the House of Games Festive trophy. Will the winning star opt for the much-coveted Festive House of Games suitcase, or will the festive fondue set prove irresistible?

Fun, witty, and full of surprises, Richard’s cross-examination of the celebs over the course of the week provides an entertaining watch for all the family as the level of competitiveness and camaraderie grows. And of course, this warm, feel-good festive quiz is perfect for playing along with at home.

QI

Join Sandi Toksvig for the QI Christmas Special with Gyles Brandreth, Lulu, Emmanuel Sonubi, and Alan Davies.

Live at The Apollo Christmas Special

Live At The Apollo is back with seven all new episodes welcoming an array of established and up-and-coming stand-ups to the world-famous Apollo stage. At the forefront of its genre, the roll call of stand-ups who have performed on the iconic Live at the Apollo set plays out like a who’s who of comedic royalty and this series is no different.

This first festive episode of the new series of the award-winning Live at the Apollo is hosted by the brilliant Judi Love who introduces comedians Dan Tiernan and John Kearns to the stage.

Other acts to appear throughout the series include: Babátúndé Aléshé, Chloe Petts, Lindsey Santoro, Paul Chowdhry, Ania Magliano, Ian Smith, Tim Renkow, Janine Harouni, Stuart Goldsmith, Sara Pascoe, Amy Gledhill, Eddie Kadi, Iain Stirling, Harriet Dyer, Maria Shehata, Joel Dommett, Fatiha El-Ghorrie, Jamie MacDonald.

Live At The Apollo is an Open Mike Productions (7 x 45 mins) production for BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. The Executive Producer for Open Mike is Andrew Beint, Series Producer is Anthony Caveney and the Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Pinki Chambers.

Jools’ Annual Hootenanny

Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra welcome in the New Year with Jools’ Annual Hootenanny. Jools counts down the seconds to midnight with a stellar line-up of artists and a celebrity audience to offer predictions and resolutions for the coming year, it’s set to be the best New Year’s Eve party for viewers to enjoy from the comfort of their homes.

This year’s show will see performances from a rich mix of legends, brand new stars and artists who have had huge success in 2024.

Jools’ Annual Hootenanny is a BBC Studios Music production (1 x 120”) for BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. It was commissioned by Jonathan Rothery, Head of BBC Pop Music TV. The Executive Producer for BBC Studios Music is Alison Howe and the Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Rachel Davies.

Doctor Who at The Proms 2024

Doctor Who fan favourite Catherine Tate presents a concert of music, monsters and mayhem featuring soundtracks from the iconic series; a brand new, specially shot feature for the new Doctor and a host of scary aliens as they thrill a packed audience at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

In a concert like no other in all of time and space, the much-loved music, performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, is accompanied by specially edited sequences from the series.

Monsters old and new make dramatic appearances in the hall with fans getting the fright of their lives as they confront them face to face.

Doctor Who at the Proms 2024 features a never-before-seen short film by the series’ showrunner Russell T Davies, Pantheon of Discord, featuring Ncuti Gatwa as The Doctor, Nicholas Briggs as the voice of The Vlinx and Jinkx Monsoon as the god of music, Maestro. Mrs Flood, played by Anita Dobson, makes a surprise guest appearance, and everything is wrapped up in spectacular lighting and special effects.

The concert showcases Murray Gold’s epic music, including his new themes for the Fifteenth Doctor and companion Ruby Sunday played by Millie Gibson. Alongside the new music, fan favourites such as I am the Doctor, written for Matt Smith’s Eleventh Doctor and A Good Man, which perfectly captured Peter Capaldi’s Twelfth Doctor also feature. There are also stunning performances of Abigail’s Song and Vale Decem featuring acclaimed Soprano Aida Garifullina, and composer Segun Akinola’s The Thirteenth Doctor written for Jodie Whittaker’s spin as the time-traveller.

No Doctor Who Prom would be complete without a special performance of the show’s iconic theme tune, heard in a new arrangement. Doctor Who makes its much-anticipated return to the Proms, the fourth time it’s delighted audiences as part of the eight-week festival of music.

Doctor Who at the Proms 2024 is co-production from BBC Studios and Livewire Pictures for BBC One Wales, BBC Two and BBC iPlayer (1×109’) It was commissioned by BBC Arts and BBC Wales. The Executive Producer for BBC Studios Wales is Paul Bullock and the Commissioning Editors for the BBC are Stephen James-Yeoman and Christina Macaulay.

A Ghost Story for Christmas: Woman of Stone

Mark Gatiss brings E. Nesbit’s chilling short story Man-Size in Marble back to life in his seventh Ghost Story for Christmas.

In her final days, author Edith Nesbit recounts the chilling tale of newlywed Victorians Jack and Laura. The couple are settling into a small cottage in a quiet village when their idyll is overshadowed by the superstitious warnings of their housekeeper, Mrs Dorman, and the legend of the village church’s tomb effigies – a pair of marble knights who are said to rise from their slabs on Christmas Eve…

Jack dismisses this is as mere folklore. But as the fateful night draws near, he feels drawn to the church, leaving Laura at home, all alone.

Starring Éanna Hardwicke (The Sixth Commandment) as Jack Lorimer; Phoebe Horn (The Motive and the Cue) as Laura Lorimer; Celia Imrie (The Thursday Murder Club) as Edith Nesbit; Monica Dolan (Sherwood) as Mrs Dorman; and Mawaan Rizwan (Juice) as Dr. Zubin.

Written and directed by Mark Gatiss. Adapted from the short story Man-Size in Marble by E. Nesbit.

A Ghost Story for Christmas: Woman of Stone is an Adorable Media production (1×30) for BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. It was commissioned by BBC Arts. The Producer for Adorable Media is Isibeal Balance and the Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Mark Bell.

Swan Lake from English National Ballet

More than one hundred dancers take part in this spellbinding production of Swan Lake, filmed on a grand scale at London’s Royal Albert Hall in front of a packed audience.

From the spectacle of 60 shimmering swans moving in unison to the captivating romance between Prince Siegfried (Principal Gareth Haw) and the Swan Queen Odette (Lead Principal Sangeun Lee), this is a magical performance celebrating the company’s 75th season.

With an aerial view of Derek Deane’s exquisite choreography, the performance combines exceptional artistry, gorgeous spectacle and compelling drama. Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score is played live by English National Ballet Philharmonic.

Swan Lake from English National Ballet is produced for English National Ballet by Ad Lib Productions (1×130) for BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. It was commissioned by BBC Arts. The Screen Director is Peter Jones. The Executive Producers for English National Ballet are Kamilah Downing, Lisa Leigh and Louise Shand-Brown and the Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Stephen James-Yeoman.

Renaissance: The Blood and The Beauty

Starring Charles Dance as Michelangelo, this epic new drama-documentary series discovers how some of the greatest works of art in Western civilisation, from the Mona Lisa to the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, emerge from an era of violence and bloodshed.

With contributions from contemporary artists such as Antony Gormley, Alison Lapper, and David LaChapelle, as well as historians and biographers, this thrilling three-part series explores the lives of three rival artists – Michelangelo, Leonardo and Raphael – who produced seductively beautiful works of art in the midst of violence and upheaval.

Renaissance: The Blood and The Beauty is a BBC Studios Specialist Factual production (3×60) for BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. It was commissioned by BBC Arts. The Executive Producer for BBC Studios Specialist Factual is Alexander Leith and the Commissioning Editors for the BBC are Alistair Pegg and Suzy Klein.

Alan Bennett 90 Years On

Alan Bennett turned 90 on 9 May 2024. A new Arena film from BAFTA and Emmy award winning director Adam Low celebrates the life and long career of one of our most loved playwrights. Part reflection on the ageing process, part remembrance of the joys of youth, Alan is aided by the films he has written and the documentaries he has presented in his quest to understand the person he has become.

Attitudes to (and laws about) homosexuality have been transformed in Alan’s lifetime, and his work has played a small but significant part in affecting this change. Prick Up Your Ears, The History Boys, and The Habit of Art have all dealt with it in different ways – as well as signalling his own gradual openness.

As a teenager Alan was sent to Cambridge where he was one of a small group of conscripts studying Russian as part of their military service. This led to a fascination with the Cambridge spies Philby, Burgess, Maclean and Blunt, and the hysteria and hypocrisy surrounding their discovery. An Englishman Abroad is based on the actress Coral Browne’s encounter with Guy Burgess in Moscow in 1958. In A Question of Attribution, his play about Anthony Blunt, who became the Keeper of the Queen’s Pictures, Elizabeth II as a character appeared on stage for the very first time.

No longer able to handle his ancient old bike, in the film Alan rides around his neighbourhood on a tricycle. He still goes for local strolls with Rupert to get the paper and sits outside his beloved Primrose Hill Community Library. Regular trips to their cottage in Yorkshire and writing on his old Corona portable typewriter also feature in this entertaining and intimate portrait.

Alan Bennett 90 Years On is a Lone Star Productions production (1×60) for BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. It was commissioned by BBC Arts. The Producer for Lone Star Productions is Martin Rosenbaum and the Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Mark Bell.

From Roger Moore, With Love

“Bond is what every man would like to be and what every woman would like to have between her sheets” so said Raymond Chandler and it’s certainly true of Roger Moore. Friends, family and co-stars take part in this revealing and entertaining look at an iconic, stylish and very British actor.

With one eyebrow raised we follow his rollercoaster journey from shy London school boy to knitwear model to global TV heartthrob and his decade-defining role as James Bond. We reveal that the character of Roger Moore – the manner, the charisma, and self-deprecating humour – was his own creation and it took him to the height of fame and a jet-set lifestyle counting Frank Sinatra, Gregory Peck and David Niven amongst his close pals.

His three children from his thirty-year relationship with Italian actress and wife number three Luisa Mattioli share never before seen home movie footage of the family and showbiz friends enjoying life in Switzerland and the South of France. Interviewees include Joan Collins, Jane Seymour, Pierce Brosnan, David Walliams and Christopher Walken.

From Roger Moore with Love is a whynow studios production (1×80) for BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. It was commissioned by BBC Arts. The Executive Producers for whynow studios are Janet Lee and Gabriel Jagger, and the Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Mark Bell.

Maria Callas: The Final Act

The great classical diva of modern times, known around the world for her beauty and fiery temper as much as her voice. She was a cover star with a thirst for the high-life and the looks of a supermodel. She dominated opera until disaster struck – she fell in love with Aristotle Onassis, and when he left her for Jackie Kennedy her life fell apart.

But this tragic legend of Maria Callas isn’t true: Callas was nobody’s victim. She was defiant, exacting – a woman who blazed a trail for female artists of today. But there was one thing that mattered more to her than anything – her astonishing, life-changing voice. It was gradually failing her. And she knew it.

At her peak in the 1950s Callas averaged 50 appearances a year. But between 1959 and 1963 she sang in public only 28 times. She cancelled performances, earning her an (undeserved) reputation as an erratic diva. This film is, in part, a detective story: what was it that made Maria Callas lose her voice?

This Arena film is also a celebration of Callas – her brilliance, originality and determination to be the greatest opera singer alive. A stellar cast of experts and admirers uncover the truth about her and the gift of her extraordinary voice. Her impact on classical music was revolutionary, bringing forgotten roles into the limelight and making them her own: magnificent, indomitable heroines. Callas is the artist who reminded the world what opera is for.

Maria Callas: The Final Act is a Swan Films production (1×60) for BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. It was commissioned by BBC Arts. The Executive Producers for Swan Films are Neil Crombie and Joe Evans, and the Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Mark Bell.

New Year’s Day Concert: Live from Vienna 2025

Broadcast live from the ornate Musikverein concert hall in Vienna, the New Year’s Day Concert from the Vienna Philharmonic is one of the most anticipated and watched concerts of the year, reaching 40 million viewers worldwide.

Petroc Trelawny guides us through this year’s programme which, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Johann Strauss’ birth, will feature a selection of works by the celebrated composer whose music shaped Vienna and whose most famous work, The Blue Danube, remains an iconic symbol of the city.

The concert includes music from the vast repertoire of the Johann Strauss family and its contemporaries, this year under the baton of prestigious conductor Riccardo Muti.

New Year’s Day Concert will be shown live and in full on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer with highlights on BBC Four and iPlayer later in the evening.

New Year’s Day Concert: Live from Vienna 2025 is produced by Austrian broadcaster ORF for BBC Two (1×145) and BBC Four (1×120). The Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Stephen James-Yeoman.

Gone Christmas Fishing

Gone Christmas Fishing takes Paul and Bob to Cahors in the South-West of France where they celebrate another eventful year of fishing together. Under the warm Autumnal French sun, they fish the river Cele and the Lot in search of Mediterranean Bass and huge French Carp.

In this hour-long special programme, they reflect on the highs and lows of the year gone by while pondering what treats the New Year could bring, apart from more fishing of course.

The annual awards ceremony holds more unusual surprises including a very special guest and they stay in an old French Chateau which boasts its own vineyard… could it be any more perfect? Possibly, if fishing dog Ted makes it across the channel and through border control in time to join them for their annual party.

The show ends with a very special video message for Bob and Paul as they take the long way home.

Gone Christmas Fishing is an Owl Power Production (1×60’) for BBC Two and BBC inlayer. It was commissioned by Catherine Catton, Head of Commissioning, Factual Entertainment and Events. The Executive Producer for Owl Power is Lisa Clark and the Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Patrick McMahon.

My Epic Camel Adventure with Gordon Buchanan

Gordon Buchanan takes an epic journey across the Gobi Desert on one of the world’s most iconic, yet least understood animals – camels. Starting in the west of Mongolia he’ll cross blistering sand dunes, endless rocky plains and the treacherous Bumbat Mountain with only his camels for company. If he’s to succeed he must befriend the camels, learn as much as he can about them, and try to win their trust and respect. Without that, the journey and his survival are in question.

Naming camels isn’t something that Nomads would do, but he as his relationship with them strengthens, he decides to name them Squeaks and Chewy. They’re lucky enough to meet some of the other inhabitants of this seemingly desolate landscape: wolves; saiga antelopes; and yaks. But will he be lucky enough to catch sight of the most endangered bear on the planet – the Gobi Bear?

Spending time with different nomads also gives him time to reflect on the appeal of the traditional nomadic way of life, and his own modern existence.

Ultimately, he’ll discover how these “odd looking creatures” have evolved in the most unusual ways to survive and prosper in one of the most hostile environments on the planet. And how they’ve helped humans to do so too.

My Epic Camel Adventure with Gordon Buchanan is a Hello Halo 1×60 for BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. It was commissioned by Jack Bootle, Head of Specialist Factual commissioning. The Executive Producer for Hello Halo is Wendy Rattray and the Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Sreya Biswas, Head of Natural History, BBC Commissioning.

The Hairy Bikers: You’ll Never Ride Alone

Dave Myers, Si King (Image: BBC/South Shore Productions/Jon Boast)
Si King celebrates the life of fellow Hairy Biker and best friend Dave Myers in a special one-off BBC documentary.

During the programme, Si will pick out the key moments of the past 25 years of Dave and Si’s TV careers, commemorating a special friendship that would change cookery shows forever.

It follows the 45,000 bikes that joined Si on a memorial journey from London to Dave’s hometown of Barrow-in-Furness in April this year. In memory of the late TV star who died from cancer in February at the age of 66, motorcyclists from across the UK met up on to ride in a convoy to pay tribute to Dave.

The emotional ride was Si King’s last as a Hairy Biker as he closes the chapter on an incredible 25 years of memories with his biking brother.

The Hairy Bikers: You’ll Never Ride Alone (1×60) has been produced by South Shore for BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. It was commissioned by Catherine Catton, Head of Commissioning, Factual Entertainment and Events. Executive Producers are Andrew Mackenzie and Melanie Leach. The Commissioning Editor is Jasmyn McGuile.

Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond The Lobby

In this festive edition of Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby, Rob Rinder and Monica Galetti visit Wilderness Hotel Inari, an adventure hotel above the Arctic Circle in Lapland.

Wilderness Hotel Inari is the largest of a family-owned chain of five hotels, dotted around the beautiful Lake Inari and surrounding forest. Working in sub-zero conditions, Monica learns about the indigenous Sami culture before prepping some reindeer stew, while Rob gets hot and bothered during a spot of sauna maintenance before taking a cold-water plunge in a snow hole. But will he finally witness the wonder of the northern lights?

Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby is made by BBC Studios Entertainment Productions for BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. It was commissioned by Catherine Catton, Head of Commissioning, Factual Entertainment. The Executive Producer is Dunk Barnes, the Creative Director is Adeline Ramage Rooney and the Commissioning Editors for the BBC are Patrick McMahon and Cal Turner.

Expedition Killer Whale

In a remote corner of Antarctica, a group of killer whales capture their prey in the most extraordinary fashion. Swimming together to create powerful waves, they can wash their seal prey off pieces of floating ice. Hundreds of millions of people around the world have been gripped by one of the most sophisticated behaviours in the animal kingdom, when the whales became an overnight social media sensation, after featuring in Frozen Planet II. But we still know so little about them. Now a team of scientists and filmmakers are returning to these icy waters to advance our understanding of these compelling animals and how they conduct this unique behaviour. Follow one scientist in the search for one particular pack of killer whales, because for him, this mission is personal.

Expedition Killer Whale (1×60) was commissioned by Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning, Specialist Factual for BBC Two and iPlayer. It is a BBC Studios Natural History Unit production for BBC and PBS with The WNET Group. The Director /Producer is Vanessa Coates, and the Executive Producer is Orla Doherty. Production Manager is Katie Cuss. The BBC Commissioning Editor is Sreya Biswas, Head of Commissioning, Natural History and Diana El-Osta is the executive in charge for PBS. For PBS ‘Nature’ produced by The WNET Group, the executive producer is Fred Kaufman, series producer is Bill Murphy and series editor is Janet Hess.

Lucy Worsley Investigates

Lucy Worsley returns to investigate some of the most dramatic and brutal chapters in British history, uncovering forgotten witnesses, re-examining evidence and following new clues.

In episode one, Lucy investigates how the Jack the Ripper case shaped the way we cover true crime today and looks at how the shocking killings created a world of entertainment based on murder. True crime might be thought of as a recent obsession, but in this episode, Lucy Worsley investigates the phenomenon through one of the world’s most infamous serial killers, Jack the Ripper. Lucy uncovers a story which goes beyond a single murderer and his five victims – Polly, Annie, Elizabeth, Catherine and Mary-Jane – to a burgeoning newspaper industry desperate for readers and a Victorian society that wasn’t designed to support the most vulnerable. Lucy explores how this unsolved case fuelled a new sensationalist journalism, which set a template for many of the true crime stories that followed.

In future episodes Lucy will investigate The Gunpowder Plot, Bloody Mary and 1066.

Lucy Worsley Investigates is a BBC Studios Specialist Factual Production (4×60’) for BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. It was commissioned by Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning, Specialist Factual. The Executive Producer for BBC Studios is Lucie Ridout and the Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Simon Young, Head of Commissioning, History.