This evening's television schedule offers a vibrant mix of period drama, festive fun, and high-stakes competition. Leading the charge is a bold new adaptation of a classic stage play, alongside the return of a beloved detective series for a seasonal special.
A Breathless Romp in 18th-Century Vienna
At 9pm on Sky Atlantic, viewers can immerse themselves in Joe Barton's new adaptation of Peter Shaffer's celebrated play, Amadeus. This version promises a breathless and fun take on the rivalry between musical prodigy Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, played by Will Sharpe, and the court's established composer, Antonio Salieri, portrayed by Paul Bettany.
The drama paints the Viennese court as a hotbed of intrigue, power struggles, and debauchery. The arrival of the brilliant but unconventional Mozart threatens to make Salieri appear staid and dull, sparking a feverish jealousy in the elder statesman. Salieri's resentment towards what he calls "this repulsive creature" sets him on a dark and dangerous path, driving the narrative of this entertaining period piece.
Festive Flurries and Detective Worries
Over on BBC One at 9pm, the Beyond Paradise Christmas Special delivers its signature blend of mystery and humour. The festive chaos in Shipton Abbott begins with a hungover man discovered glued into a snowman costume inside a wheelie bin, the work of mischievous friends.
The plot thickens when a person living with dementia is found on the police station steps, clutching a surprising photograph of Detective Humphrey Goodman. As Humphrey himself remarks, the situation is perplexing, promising a heart-warming and puzzling seasonal case for the team to solve.
Other Highlights Across the Channels
The evening is packed with further options for every taste:
- The Royal Variety Performance 2025 (7.05pm, ITV1): Hosted by Jason Manford, the show features a glimpse of the new West End hit Paddington the Musical, alongside performances from Jessie J, the cast of Dead Ringers, and Johannes Radebe from Strictly dancing a number from Kinky Boots.
- Game of Wool: Britain's Best Knitter – The Final (8pm, Channel 4): Tom Daley's knitting competition reaches its climax. The three finalists first collaborate to transform a post box with yarn before facing a final solo challenge: creating a showpiece hat.
- The War Between the Land and the Sea (8.05pm, BBC One): Russell T Davies's allegorical Doctor Who spin-off concludes. With Salt (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) missing and traitors at work, Barclay (Russell Tovey) may face the rising oceans alone in humanity's final battle.
- Wild Horses, the Rockies and Me (7pm, BBC Two): Wildlife cameraman Gordon Buchanan attempts an intimate project, seeking to gain the trust of wild horses in Canada's Rocky Mountains for a unique nature film.
For film fans, BBC Two at 9pm broadcasts Christopher Nolan's Oscar-winning Oppenheimer. Cillian Murphy stars as the physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, haunted by creating the atomic bomb, with Robert Downey Jr. as his political nemesis, Lewis Strauss.
Sports coverage includes Premier League football as Aston Villa host Manchester United from Villa Park at 3.30pm on Sky Sports Main Event, and the opening match of the African Cup of Nations, Morocco vs Comoros, at 6.30pm on E4.
