David Farnor | On 26, Nov 2021

Deck the halls with cracking British telly – that’s the mantra of BritBox UK this December, which follows its “Britmas” collection of Christmas specials with the first five seasons of The Brittas Empire, the miniseries Cambridge Spies and the political drama Brexit: The Uncivil War. And, to top it all off, there’s the UK premiere of Banksy: Most Wanted. But the real treat to unwrap is a double-bill of Hitchcock arriving on 30th December.

Here’s what’s coming soon to BritBox UK in December 2021:

Snow in Paradise (2014) – 1st December

Dave’s a petty criminal living on drugs and violence in London. When his actions kill his best friend, he’s propelled into feelings of shame and remorse. Discovering Islam, he begins to find peace but his old life comes back to test him. Starring Frederick Schmidt, Martin Askew and David Spinx.

Still Life (2013) – 1st December

A mild-mannered civil employee dedicates his life to tracking down the next-of-kin of and arranging funerals for his community’s unclaimed dead. Starring Eddie Marsan and Joanne Froggatt.

The Duke of Burgundy (2014) – 1st December

A woman who studies butterflies and moths tests the limits of her relationship with her lesbian lover. Starring Sidse Babett Knudsen and Chiara D’Anna.

Hillsborough (1996) – 2nd December

Grieving families struggle to come to terms with the unexpected and tragic 1989 Hillsborough Disaster. Television film starring Christopher Eccleston, Tracey Wilkinson and Ricky Tomlinson.

The Brittas Empire: Season 1 to 5 – 2nd December

Gordon Brittas is the manager of the Whitbury-Newtown Leisure Centre. Despite his good intentions, everything seems to go wrong when he’s around, despite the best efforts of the center staff and his long-suffering wife, Helen. Starring Chris Barrie, Pippa Haywood and Harriet Thorpe.

Banksy: Most Wanted – 2nd December

Banksy is a household name, but behind this name hides a multitude of stories, artworks, stunts, political statements and identities, leading to one of the art world’s biggest unanswered questions- who is Banksy?

Our Zoo: Season 1 (2014) – 2nd December

While returning from a reunion, George Mottershead notices the Oakfield Manor that is put up for auction. He takes a loan and decides to convert the estate into a zoo without cages. Starring Lee Ingleby, Liz White and Ralf Little.

As Time Goes By: Season 1 to 4 – 9th December

The Korean War, and a long lost letter, separate the lives of young lovers Jean Pargetter and Lionel Hardcastle, whose paths cross again by happenstance. Starring Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer.

Cambridge Spies: Season 1 – 9th December

The true story of a group of Cambridge University Students who are recruited to spy for the Soviet Union in the early 1930s. Starring Tom Hollander.

Agatha and the Truth of Murder (2018) – 9th December

In 1926, with her personal life in tatters and her writing in crisis, a young Agatha Christie decides to solve a real-life murder. Television film starring Ruth Bradley, Blake Harrison and Dean Andrews.

2Point4Children: Season 1 to 8 – 16th December

Series following the lives of the Porters, a seemingly average, working-class London family whose world is frequently turned upside-down by bad luck and bizarre occurrences. Starring Gary Olsen, Belinda Lang and John Pickard.

A Very Peculiar Practise: Season 1 to 2 – 16th December

The various misadventures of Stephen Daker, a young doctor who works for the health centre of a modern British university. Starring Peter Davison, Barbara Flynn and David Troughton.

Brexit: The Uncivil War (2019) – 16th December

With an intention to convince the British voters to leave the European Union, political strategist Dominic Cummings decides to start a controversial campaign. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Rory Kinnear.

Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? Season 1 to 2 – 16th December

Terry and Bob from The Likely Lads (1964) continue their life after Terry arrives home from serving in the Army to discover that Bob is about to marry his girlfriend Thelma. Can Thelma lead Bob onto the straight and narrow path or will Terry divert things once again ? Starring Rodney Bewes, James Bolam and Brigit Forsyth.

Doctor Who: The Faceless Ones (1967) – 23rd December

The eighth incomplete Doctor Who serial to receive full-length animated reconstructions of its missing episodes. The Doctor and his companions arrive at Gatwick Airport and discover strange identity-stealing aliens called Chameleons.

Doctor Who: Fury from the Deep (1968) – 23rd December

Animated reconstruction of the missing serial. The Doctor and his companions find themselves at a gas refinery where a dangerous plant is infecting everyone and controlling their minds.

Bad Girls Season: 1 to 8 – 23rd December

Dramatic portrayal of life in a women’s prison, focusing on the inmates and staff’s friendships and relationships, and the issues surrounding them. Starring Jack Ellis, Victoria Alcock and Kika Mirylees.

Mistresses: Season 1 to 3 – 23rd December

The lives and loves of four female friends: Katie, a doctor having an affair with a patient; Trudi, a 9/11 widow; Siobhan, a barrister; and Jessica, a commitment phobe who plays the field. Starring Sarah Parish, Orla Brady and Sharon Small.

Upstart Crow: Lockdown Christmas 1603 – 23rd December

The plague has hit London, and as Christmas approaches, Will and Kate are in wave fifteen of state-enforced home confinement together in Will’s London lodgings. Starring David Mitchell and Gemma Whelan.

The Hippopotamus (2017) – 23rd December

Disgraced poet Ted Wallace is summoned to his friend’s country manor to investigate a series of unexplained miracles. Starring Roger Allam, Matthew Modine and Fiona Shaw.

Marnie (1964) – 30th December

Mark marries Marnie although she is a habitual thief and has serious psychological problems, and tries to help her confront and resolve them. Alfred Hitchcock classic starring Sean Connery, Tippi Hedren and Diane Baker.

Saboteur (1942) – 30th December

Barry Kane, a worker at the Los Angeles aircraft factory, escapes arrest when he is falsely accused of purposely disrupting the place. He finally succeeds in nabbing Frank Frye, the perpetrator. Another Hitchcock classic starring Norman Lloyd, Robert Cummings and Priscilla Lane.

Mary Queen Of Scots (1971) – 30th December

During the sixteenth century, the Catholic Mary, Queen of Scots engages in over two decades of religious and political conflict with her cousin, the Protestant Queen Elizabeth I of England, amidst political intrigue in her native land. Starring Vanessa Redgrave, Glenda Jackson and Timothy Dalton.

The Invisible Man (1933) – 30th December

A scientist finds a way of becoming invisible, but in doing so, he becomes murderously insane. One of the films from Universal Pictures’ classic monster collection, starring Claude Rains, Gloria Stuart and John Carradine.

The Nelson Affair (1973) – 30th December

Young George Matcham visits his uncle Lord Nelson and the vulgar Lady Hamilton. With the clear eyes of youth, he measures Nelson’s stature and notes his feet of clay. And yet, Nelson is a hero, a great man. How can this be resolved? Meanwhile, the combined French and Spanish fleet puts out to sea. Starring Peter Finch, Glenda Jackson and Margaret Leighton.

 

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