12 Lists of Christmas: TV Events

2016 has been a year of ups and (mostly) downs, and TV was generally at a much higher standard than real life. Netflix dominated the playing field, turning out hit after hit, with an array of award-winning dramas and documentaries. In reality TV, Tiffany thought David Gest was dead, Biggins was biphobic, and Honey G was grabbed by audience members live on stage. Here is a roundup of the strongest TV programmes from the past year, and the programmes that have offered us the greatest escapism from a truly horrendous year.

1. The Great British Bake Off – Bake off was yet again one of the most watched TV programmes of the year; however the fun and frivolities had a dark tinge to it amongst the despair over the show’s move to Channel 4. We watched the show’s final knowing it was the last time we’d see our favourite foursome hand over a bouquet to a tearful amateur baker. Fans of the show are intensely disappointed, which makes the show perhaps even more important than it has been previously when we could depend on its return.

2. Game of Thrones – The sixth season of the HBO hit series was widely received as one of the best so far. Speaking as a fan of the show, I think the last two or three episodes were some of the strongest of any show I have ever seen. Having said that, Game of Thrones is such a firm favourite for so many people, that I expect the only time it wouldn’t make an appearance on a list of the best telly from a year is if there hadn’t been a new series (not a day I am looking forward to), so it is by no means the most surprising addition.

3. House of Cards – House of Cards is, for those who haven’t seen it, one of the aforementioned Netflix hits, and this fourth season was altogether very, very good. Kevin Spacey is remarkable as Francis Underwood, a ruthless politician who will do literally whatever it takes to get what he wants. Without a doubt one of the highlights for TV drama in 2016.

4. The Hollow Crown – ‘The Hollow Crown: War of the Roses’ was the second and final cycle of the BBC’s contemporary adaptation of Shakespeare plays. Star-studded and widely acclaimed, the programmes were a triumph for the BBC.

5. War and Peace – The second BBC adaptation on the list, War and Peace was (although widely different from the book, so I am told) an excellent portrayal of Leo Tolstoy’s Russian epic. So good, in fact, I almost thought about reading it, but I think the series was enough for me. (My general rule when it comes to Russian literature is that I don’t read anything under 1,126 pages, so War and Peace – at 1,125 – just misses out. Sorry Leo.) The six-part series was stunningly beautiful to look at, and Paul Dano put in a fantastic performance as the lovely Pierre Bezukhov. Of course, all of the acting was fabulous but I think he stands out for most, perhaps thanks to the nature of his character. Either way he – and the entire series – is magnificent to watch.

6. Fleabag – Fleabag was quite possibly my favourite non-drama series of this year, following a London woman in her early 30s coming to terms with the death of her best friend. It is widely labelled a comedy (and it is very funny), however I am hesitant to call it that, since it goes somewhat above and beyond my standard for a sitcom, and I feel that ‘comedy’ doesn’t quite do it justice. Fiery, funny and often pithy, it was a tremendous and heart-wrenching series which could be watched over and over again.

7. Drugs Map of Britain – BBC Three’s look into the areas which are hardest hit by drugs was both touching and shocking. We forget all too often about how many people are affected by drug abuse, and the terrifying day-to-day reality for those who are caught in its midst. The series handled the issue thoughtfully (a quality often missed from such chronicles) but with necessary frankness. BBC Three, for all its faults, has always done documentaries very well, and I hope that we will continue to see such a high standard of quality even as the channel is confined to the internet since its move off the air.

8. Planet Earth II – The striking nature series embodies everything the nation loves about David Attenborough, and the breath-taking series conjures not only awe but fear over the future of our planet. More than once during the series I have thought ‘why are humans so horrible?’, but then again questions like that are what make these programmes so overwhelmingly necessary. It is also a noteworthy feat for each crew member involved, and it is really eye-opening to see the lengths people go to in order to get the perfect shot. But it pays off, and the show is magnificent.

9. The Missing – At time of writing, we await the final episode of this astonishing drama. It has been constantly of an astoundingly high standard, and it has made for a brilliant thriller. A great example of the generally quite impressive array of drama from the BBC this year (although it’s not been quite constant), and was probably the pinnacle of BBC drama for the whole year.

10. Black Mirror – Charlie Brooker’s award-winning dystopian drama moved to Netflix for its third season this year, and it was no disappointment. Each stand-alone episode was its own breed of brilliant (except perhaps the first one, but we don’t talk about that), and it was good to see the move wouldn’t dilute what makes it so lovable, although the weight of Netflix behind it brought an array of famous faces, and it was clear to see the amount of money behind it. This was no bad thing, and Black Mirror was a must-watch for 2016.