This week, most channels are clearing the decks in time for Christmas, so we get series finale for the remarkable and harrowing Dostoyevsky, Dalgliesh and Crá, but also get new Strike. Enjoy!
1 Dostoyevsky *NEW UK PREMIERE EPISODES* *LAST IN SERIES*
S1 E5&6/6
Vitello tracks down Esposito – Dostoyevsky’s arms supplier – and forces him to lure the killer to his place. Their face-off grows closer.
Sunday 22nd December, 10pm, Sky Atlantic
2 Dalgliesh *NEW UK PREMIERE EPISODES* *LAST IN SERIES*
S3 E5&6/6 Devices and Desires
In Kent, the local community is rocked by a string of killings committed by the so-called ‘Whistler’. Since every victim is found to work at Larkskill Nuclear Power Station, Dalgliesh is sent to investigate a possible political motive.
Thursday 19th and Friday 20th December, 9pm, Channel 5
3 Dexter: Original Sin *NEW UK PREMIERE EPISODES*
S1 E2&3/10
Dexter adjusts to his new job as a forensics intern at Miami Metro; Deb lashes out at her dad by engaging in petty criminal behaviour.
Friday 20th December, Paramount+
4 Crá *NEW UK PREMIERE EPISODE* *LAST IN SERIES*
S1 E6/6
In the aftermath of the siege, the narrative is that Ray is guilty – but some people have their doubts.
Sunday 22nd December, 10.30pm, BBC Northern Ireland and iPlayer
5 Strike: Ink Black Heart *NEW UK PREMIERE SERIES*
S4 E1&2/4
Private detective Robin Ellacott is approached by a frantic woman, the co-creator of a popular cartoon, who says she is being persecuted by a mysterious online figure going by the name of Anomie. Robin tells her the agency is too busy to take on her case – only to read a few weeks later that she has been murdered, prompting her and Strike to become drawn into the quest to uncover the true identity of the online tormentor.
Monday 16th and Tuesday 17th December, 9pm, BBC One
6 Matlock *NEW UK PREMIERE EPISODE*
S1 E4/10
Olympia asks Matty to get closer with their current client, a man fighting for the wrongful death of his wife.
Tuesday 17th December, 9pm, Sky Witness
7 Black Sands *NEW UK PREMIERE EPISODE*
S2 E6/8
In 1983, Helena arrives at the foster home.
Tuesday 17th December, 10pm, U&Alibi
8 The Good Ship Murder Christmas Special *NEW UK PREMIERE EPISODE*
Dubrovnik
The holiday season is off to a rocky start when the luxury ship’s resident Santa falls ill, threatening to disappoint the passengers. Bev puts Jack in charge of finding a replacement Santa and his search leads him to Buddy, a veteran comedian in Dubrovnik, who seems like the perfect fit. However, unexpected events complicate Jack’s plan, leaving everyone scrambling to save Christmas on board.
Wednesday 18th December, 9pm, Channel 5
9 The Long Shadow *REPEAT*
S1 1&2/6
True crime drama series depicting the hunt for Peter Sutcliffe, the Yorkshire Ripper, focusing on the lives of the victims who crossed his path and those of the officers at the heart of the police investigation. Wilma McCann’s four young children wake up to find their mother missing. After her body is found not far from her house, DCS Dennis Hoban takes charge of the investigation to try and catch her killer. Meanwhile, across the city, Emily and Sydney Jackson’s marriage is faltering in the face of financial hardship.
Monday 16th December, 10pm, ITV3
10 Mr Bates vs The Post Office *REPEAT*
S1 E1&2/6
After a new computer system called Horizon is installed across the country, mysterious financial losses start to appear in village post office tills. But when subpostmasters Alan Bates, Jo Hamilton, Noel Thomas and Lee Castleton seek help, the Post Office insists that each of them is the only one having problems. Alan, stubborn and computer-literate, refuses to put it behind him and is sure that one day he’ll find the evidence to prove them wrong.
Sunday 22nd December, 10pm, ITV3
