Blue Lights voted one of the '50 best shows' for 2023
Last updated 13th Dec 2023
Blue Lights has been named as one of the 'best TV shows of 2023' according to The Guardian and their list of the 50 best TV shows of the year.
The show, was filmed in Belfast and first aired in March 2023. It follows three rookie police officers (Siân Brooke, Katherine Devlin, and Nathan Braniff) working in Belfast, attempting to fight crime and navigate life in a uniquely dangerous place to be a police officer.
The Guardian described the popular police drama as “six hours of raw, relentless TV – a thrilling examination of everyday courage and rebellion that showed how easily the overly hopeful can be crushed.”
BBC bosses confirmed earlier this year that Blue Light has been renewed for a second series, with filming set to begin next summer and a 2024 release date.
Another NI series broke into the top 10 list - Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland.
Reflecting on the show that documents moments from The Troubles, The Guardian writes: “This was the most important TV series of the year: a road map of how conflict begins and, crucially, how it can end. Parts of it will lodge in your brain like shrapnel.”
Other shows that made the The Guardians’ 50 best TV shows of the year list include The Last Of Us, Squid Game: The Challenge, Time and Beckham,
Check out the best Christmas specials to binge watch this festive season:
Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide with Josie Gibson
The lovely Josie Gibson is hosting Channel 4's Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide this year, perfect if you need some last minute gift ideas.
Air date: 9th December (8pm)
Channel: BBC
Richard Osman's Festive House of Games
Richard Osman hosts a week of festive special of hit game show House of Games.
Air date: 9th-13th December
Channel: BBC Two
Bargain Hunt Christmas Special
The Bargain Hunt team will take part in a special festive episode this year.
Air date: 16th December (12.15pm)
Channel: BBC
The Young Offenders Christmas special
Conor and Jock set off on a chaotic adventure to give Mairead, who has been ill in hospital, the white Christmas she has always dreamed of.
Air date: 16th December (9pm)
Channel: BBC Three and BBC iPlayer
Stacey Solomon’s Crafty Christmas
Stacey Solomon is back this year with a little help from her family! Stacey shows us crafty ways to create beautiful decorations and gifts that are sure to spread some home-made cheer this Christmas time.
Air date: 18th December (9pm)
Channel: BBC
The Good Ship Murder Christmas Special
As well as being renewed for two more series, Channel 5 bosses have confirmed that drama series The Good Ship Murder will have a Christmas special this year. Catherine Tyldesley and Shayne Ward will reprise their roles as First Officer Kate Woods and Jack Grayling.
Air date: 18th December (9pm)
Channel: Channel 5
The Great British Sewing Bee: Celebrity Christmas Special 2024
Ian "H" Watkins, EastEnder Kellie Bright, comedian Fatiha El-Ghorri and TV personality Charlotte Crosby put their sewing skills to the test in this year's Christmas special.
Air date: 19th December (9pm)
Channel: BBC One
For the Love of Dogs Christmas Special
Ahead of the new series in 2025, Alison Hammond returns to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home for a heartwarming Christmas special this year.
Air date: 19th December (8.30pm)
Channel: ITV/STV
Casualty Christmas special
Ahead of the new series starting later in December, the cast of Casualty have filmed an emotional Christmas episode which is called All I Want for Christmas.
Air date: 21st December (9.15pm)
Channel: BBC One
Antiques Roadshow at Christmas
The Antiques Roadshow marks the festive season with a look back at some of the year's highlights and updates about items that have appeared on the series.
Air date: 22nd December (7.30pm)
Channel: BBC One
Would I Lie to You? at Christmas
Laura Smyth, David Mitchell, Jimmy Carr, Rob Brydon, Lee Mack, Lenny Rush and Rustie Lee take part in the 2024 Would I Lie to You? Christmas special.
Air date: 23rd December (7pm)
Channel: BBC One
Royal Carols : Together At Christmas
Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales, alongside other members of the Royal Family, attend a carol service at Westminster Abbey.
Air date: 24th December (7.30pm)
Channel: ITV/STV
The Great Christmas Bake Off
Just like past years, Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood are back in the Bake Off tent for this year's Christmas special, with hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding. This year, soap stars Dean Gaffney, Sheree Murphy, Shobna Gulati MBE, Natalie Cassidy and Chris Bisson will take part.
Air date: 24th December (8pm)
Channel: Channel 4
Gogglebox - Best of 2024
Channel 4 are showing a round-up of the best moments from Gogglebox 2024, featuring cast members such as Giles and Mary, The Malones, and Ellie and Izzy.
Air date: 24th December (9.15pm)
Channel: Channel 4
The Weakest Link Christmas Special
Romesh Ranganathan hosts as a number of celebs try to win money for charity on The Weakest Link's Christmas special.
Air date: 25th December (3.15pm)
Channel: BBC One
Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special
Comedian Josh Widdicombe, RuPaul's Drag Race UK star Tayce, presenter Vogue Williams, Gladiator Nitro, actress Tamzin Outhwaite and motor racing driver Billy Monger will take part in the 2024 Christmas special.
Air date: 25th December (3.55pm)
Channel: BBC
Doctor Who: Joy to the World
Following on from last year's Christmas special, Ncuti Gatwa returns as Doctor Who, with actress Nicola Coughlan joining the cast as Joy.
Air date: 25th December (5.10pm)
Channel: BBC One
The Piano: Christmas Special
Claudia Winkleman, Mika and Lang Lang kickstart the festive season with an array of live music performances and treats inside Turbine Hall for The Piano Christmas special.
Air date: 25th December (5.10pm)
Channel: Channel 4
Call the Midwife
Unlike previous years, this year's Call the Midwife Christmas special will be split into two parts! The 2024 special consists of two 60-minute episodes – complete with a Christmas cliffhanger!
Air date: (Part One) 25th December (7.55pm) and (Part Two) 26th December (8.15pm)
Channel: BBC One
Gavin and Stacey
Five years after THAT cliffhanger on the last Christmas special, the Gavin and Stacey gang are back for the final ever episode of the sitcom this year! Will we finally get answers about Smithy and Nessa?!
Air date: 25th December (9pm)
Channel: BBC
Mrs. Brown’s Boys Christmas
Despite the show's controversy over the years, Mrs. Brown's Boys has become somewhat of staple on Christmas Day! The show is back for a Christmas and New Year's special in 2024.
Air date: 25th December (11.05pm)
Channel: BBC One
Blankety Blank Christmas Special
Bradley Walsh is back with a Christmas special of Saturday night entertainment show Blankety Blank.
Air date: 26th December (7.35pm)
Channel: BBC One
Outnumbered
Gavin and Stacey isn't the only show getting a revival this Christmas, sitcom Outnumbered is also making a return to our screens, featuring all of the original cast!
Air date: 26th December (9.15pm)
Channel: BBC
The Masked Singer Christmas Special
Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders join Mo Gilligan, Jonathan Ross, and Davina McCall on The Masked Singer panel for the 2024 Christmas special. This year's characters include Star, Turkey Crown, Nutcracker, and Christmas Cracker.
Air date: 26th December (7.30pm)
Channel: ITV/STV
The 1% Club Christmas Special
Lee Mack hosts a festive special of the quiz with all the Christmas themed questions! 100 contestants hope to make the holiday season even more special by winning up to £100,000.
Air date: 26th December (9pm)
Channel: ITV/STV
The Repair Shop Christmas
The team are back for another Christmas special this year
Air date: 27th December (1.25pm)
Channel: BBC One
Beyond Paradise Christmas special
It wouldn't be Christmas without a Beyond Paradise Christmas special!
Air date: 27th December (8.30pm)
Channel: BBC One
Wheel of Fortune Christmas Special
Ahead of the new series, Graham Norton will host a Christmas special episode of gameshow Wheel of Fortune.
Air date: 28th December (7pm)
Channel: ITV/STV
The Split Barcelona
Popular BBC drama The Split will return this Christmas for a two-part special, set out in Barcelona. Set two years on from series three, the show will see the likes of Nicola Walker, Stephen Mangan, Fiona Button, Annabel Scholey and Deborah Findlay all feature.
Air date: 29th and 30th December (9pm)
Channel: BBC One
Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Celebrity Special
Jeremy Clarkson will welcome a number of celebrity guests for this year's Who Wants to be a Millionaire? special.
Air date: 29th December (8pm)
Channel: ITV/STV
Vera series 14
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Air date: 1st and 2nd January (8pm)
Channel: ITV/STV
Gladiators: Celebrity Special
Ahead of the new series in early 2025, there will be a celebrity special of Gladiators airing this Christmas! Rob Beckett, Joel Dommett, Ellie Taylor and Louise Minchin will take part.
Air date: 1st January (6pm)
Channel: BBC One
The Great New Year Bake Off
Returning bakers from past series of Bake Off will appear on this year's New Year Bake Off, including Kevin, Norman, Nicky, James, Lea and Peter.
Air date: 3rd January (7.40pm)
Channel: Channel 4
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