Rueben's Ramblings

Here is a list of programming options to expect on TV this coming week, specifically the specials or movies that will air on Christmas Day:

Part 3 of the PBS three-part mini-series The Hollow Crown: The War of the Roses will premiere with Richard III on December 25 at 9 PM. Richard (Benedict Cumberbatch), the most notorious of Shakespeare’s kings, manipulates and betrays his way through the court on a bloodthirsty and ruthless path to the throne. But after Richard’s defeat at the battle of Bosworth Field, the Houses of Lancaster and York—the red rose and the white—are united, bringing to an end the Wars of the Roses and long tumultuous period of civil strife. The cast includes Dame Judi Dench, Sophie Okonedo and Keeley Hawes.

Also on December 25, the Christmas special When Calls the Heart: The Heart of Christmas will debut on the Hallmark Channel at 9 PM. An intriguing peddler comes to Hope Valley selling the townspeople his wears and teaching them valuable lessons about joy and giving. And when the townspeople realize that the recently displaced settlers in the area will not have a proper Christmas, they come together to create a special holiday celebration – including a Nativity presentation from the schoolchildren — that will infuse everyone with the true spirit of Christmas.

The Call the Midwife holiday special will air on PBS on December 25 at 7:30 PM. Poplar house receives an SOS call from the Mother House at Christmas. A mission hospital in South Africa called Hope Clinic, run by Dr Myra Fitzsimmonds, is in need of urgent assistance as the threat of closure emerges. A team from Nonnatus House are sent to the small clinic where problems arise from the dwindling supply of electricity and Fitzsimmonds’ mysterious illness.

Lastly, on Christmas Day, the annual Christmas episode of Doctor Who entitled “The Return of Doctor Mysterio” will air on BBC America at 9 PM. The Doctor teams up with an investigative journalist (Charity Wakefield from The Player) and a superhero to save New York from a deadly alien threat. The guest stars will include Justin Chatwin (Orphan Black and Shameless), Matt Lucas (Alice in Wonderland) and Tomiwa Edun (Merlin).

Mark your calendars!