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This week's Radio Times features an exclusive look at the best shows coming this Christmas

From Call the Midwife to new drama Amadeus, and from Dame Judi Dench to Sir David Attenborough, we reveal the festive season's most exciting treats.

Three women dressed as angels pose together against a blue backdrop. They are wearing white costumes with fluffy faux-fur collars and large feathered wings. Each woman rests her chin on her hand and smiles softly. The woman on the left has an afro hairstyle and shimmering silver eye makeup; the woman in the middle has a blonde bob; and the woman on the right has long blonde hair with a fringe and a small star sticker near her eye.

Photography: Nicky Johnston @nickyjohnston. Photography assistant: Max Brewer

Published: Tuesday, 25 November 2025 at 2:00 pm

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I can't tell you how excited we get at Radio Times when Maria Fyfe, our peerless planning editor, reveals to us the programmes that are destined to shape the festive TV schedules.

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This happened a few weeks ago now but, as always, Maria reminded us that the information she had gathered was strictly confidential and we were sworn to secrecy, even from our own families. It's a little like working for MI6.

(All right, it's nothing like working for the security services, but you get the idea.)

So it's with real pleasure that, in this week's issue, we can finally start sharing some of those festive highlights with you.

It's not the full feast of what's to come over the Christmas break, but it's the very best of what's to come in December, from Dames Judi Dench and Joanna Lumley telling us about their seasonal treats, to Will Sharpe and Paul Bettany talking about their ambitious long-form re-imagining of Peter Shaffer's classic play, Amadeus.

We've even tucked in a sneak peek at the New Year's offerings to extend the anticipation a little further.

There's still time to stock up on highlighter pens for the Christmas double issue when it lands – but, until then, consider this the moment that Christmas officially starts!

The latest issue of Radio Times is out now – subscribe here.

Radio Times cover featuring Call the Midwife's Helen George, Natalie Quarry and Renee Bailey.

Call the Midwife photographed exclusively for Radio Times by Nicky Johnston.

Also in this week's Radio Times:

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Authors

Radio Times editor Shem Law wears a shirt, tie and grey jumper. He is sitting at a wooden desk behind a sign saying "Editor" clasping his hands. There are other items on the desk, including a dial telephone and typewriter.

Shem Law

Shem Law is the brand editor of Radio Times, and the 20th person to hold that esteemed position in over 100 years. He wasn't allowed a television growing up, but over the years he has rather overcompensated for that fact.

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