Anthony
Sunday 19 December 8.40pm FTA Premiere
From BAFTA Award-winning writer Jimmy McGovern, this powerful one-off feature examines the impact of the murder of black teenager Anthony Walker by exploring what may have happened had he not been murdered.
From BAFTA award-winning writer Jimmy McGovern, this powerful one-off feature examines the impact of the murder of black teenager Anthony Walker by exploring what may have happened had he lived.The racist murder of Anthony in Liverpool in 2005 was a hate crime that shocked the nation. One innocent life snatched away, and so many others ruined by an act of hatred. What hopes would Anthony have had? What dreams would he have chased? What loves would he have lost? What lives would he have changed? What man would Anthony have become?
The story begins with Anthony accepting an award for helping his friend Mick turn his life around by overcoming his alcohol addiction. Anthony’s surrounded by his family, including his wife Katherine and his young daughter. As we go back in time, we witness the love story of Anthony and his wife Katherine told in reverse order. We also see how Anthony managed to help his friend Mick overcome his problems while also finding out how Mick, father to a young daughter himself, ended up homeless on the streets of Liverpool.
Told in reverse chronology, this distinctive drama presents a unique perspective on this devastating crime and the life it took away.Production credits: Executive Producers: Colin McKeown, Jimmy McGovern, Terry McDonough. BBC Executive Producer Lucy Richer.
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo: Celebrating 70 Years
Monday 20 December 8.30pm
A special look back at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo’s rich 70-year history revisiting many of the standout moments.
Every August, thousands of visitors from all over the world come to marvel at the spectacular sights and sounds of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
In place of this year’s event, sadly cancelled due to Covid-19, this new program looks back at the Tattoo’s rich 70-year history and revisits many of the standout moments.
Featuring massed pipes and drums, and an international array of marching bands, military displays and dynamic dances, the show always draws to a poignant close with a lone piper on the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle.
Production credits: Narrated by Kirsty Wark; Producer: Samantha Peters; Executive Producer: Guy Freeman; Produced by Livewire Pictures for REMT in association with the BBC.
Christmas In Australia With Christine Anu
Tuesday 21 December 8.30pm
Celebrate Christmas with Christine Anu as she explores how Australia’s melting pot of traditions, cultures and faiths not only sparks festive joy, but rejoices in the kindness and resilience of Australians.
From hot, sunny summer days and motorbike riding Santas to the vibrant mix of cultures that have contributed their own flair to the annual tradition, join Christine Anu as she uncovers what makes Christmas in Australia like nowhere else in the world.
Christine shares memories from her childhood in the Torres Strait and shows how Christmas songs first inspired her to sing. She also joins children from around Australia in a special performance of her iconic song ‘Island Christmas’.
Celebrating the resilience of Australians, Christine visits families around Australia. She learns how migrant families use Christmas to connect with their community and recreate traditions from home. In the Adelaide Hills, Christine hears how a community rallied together when the 2019 Summer Bushfires cancelled a decades-long Christmas light tradition. Before reconnecting with her own family as they sing the Christmas carol ‘Silent Night’.
Heading back in time, Christine shows us how to make a traditional Christmas Pudding recipe from the 1800s, while food historian Jacqui Newling tells us the history of our edible traditions. And we discover the earliest example of an Aussie Christmas carol, our very own ‘Australian Christmas Song’ from 1863.
Get in the Christmas spirit with Christine Anu this December as she explores the reason for the season.
Production Credits: Producers: Louise Heywood. Editors: Deb Prince, Philippa Byers. Researchers: Mary Tran, Wendy Boynton. Executive Producer: Jessica Douglas-Henry.
Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas
Friday 24 December 6.30pm
Shaun’s seasonal excitement turns to dismay when a farmhouse raid to get bigger stockings for the Flock inadvertently leads to Timmy going missing.
It’s Christmas Eve at Mossy Bottom Farm and Shaun’s seasonal excitement turns to dismay when a farmhouse raid to get bigger stockings inadvertently leads to Timmy heading off to a Christmas market in the back of the Farmer’s truck.
Shaun mounts a rescue mission to the local town where the Farmer is trying to make a quick buck from selling his homemade festive fizz, and Farmer Ben, a local celebrity and influencer, is turning on the Christmas lights. Shaun’s mission becomes critical when a gift box containing Timmy is given to Farmer Ben’s feisty daughter, Ella.
A high-speed snow chase ensues as the Ben family head home in their 4x4, oblivious to the sleigh full of sheep that’s following them, which itself is being pursued by Bitzer on make-shift skis.A quick-thinking Timmy manages to convince Ella that he’s just a toy, but he can’t escape the clutches of the cute tearaway. Shaun urgently needs to gain entry into Ella’s high-tech house, avoid her parents and get her to give up her new favourite possession.
Can Shaun save the day and get Timmy home in time to open his stocking? Or has Shaun finally met his match in pocket rocket Ella? Prepare for an explosive high-wire ending as everyone learns the true value of Christmas!
Production credits: Produced by Aardman Animation.
Saturday 25 December
: Saturday 1 January 2022