Music, Maestro, please… This Christmas, we’re going classical with the new Sky Original reimagining of Peter Shaffer’s award-winning stage play, boldly adapted for the screen by Joe Barton. Will Sharpe and Paul Bettany star in Amadeus, coming to Sky Atlantic and NOW over the festive period.
While we make every effort to ensure details are correct at the time of publication (Tuesday 25 November) all dates are subject to amendment and may be moved in the schedule prior to final exchange.
Amadeus
Based on Peter Shaffer’s award-winning stage play, and boldly adapted by Joe Barton (Black Doves, Giri/Haji, The Lazarus Project), this spectacular five-part reimagination explores the meteoric rise and mythic downfall of one of history’s most iconic composers — and rockstar virtuoso of the 18th century, Wolfgang ‘Amadeus’ Mozart (played by Will Sharpe, The White Lotus).
When twenty-five-year-old Amadeus arrives in bustling 18th Century Vienna, no longer a child prodigy and craving creative freedom, his world collides with two pivotal figures: his fiercely loyal future wife, Constanze Weber (Gabrielle Creevy, Black Doves), and devoutly religious court composer, Antonio Salieri (Paul Bettany, A Beautiful Mind, The Marvel Cinematic Universe). As Amadeus’ brilliance continues to flourish in spite of his personal demons, a questionable reputation and scepticism from the conservative court, Salieri becomes increasingly tormented by this apparent divine gift. Amadeus is a threat to all that he holds dear in life: his talent, his reputation, even his faith in God, Salieri vows to bring him down. What begins as professional rivalry turns into a deeply personal obsession spanning 30 years, culminating in a murder confession and a desperate attempt to entwine himself with Mozart’s legacy forever.
Sunday 21 – Thursday 25 December 21.00 Sky Atlantic & NOW – All episodes available
Tea with Judi Dench
Dame Judi Dench opens up her beautiful country home to longtime friend and sometime collaborator, Kenneth Branagh, in one-off special, Tea with Judi Dench. From the sanctuary of her English garden, they’ll talk about their lives and careers. Peppered with archive and anecdote, the programme will provide personal biography and career highlights, along with lively conversation, funny insights and genuine candour and emotion.
Coming soon to Sky Arts & NOW – check Sky Media Village for the latest updates
Katherine Ryan: First Born Daughter
Katherine Ryan returns with her brand new special: First Born Daughter. Delivering her signature brand of quick-witted social commentary, Katherine tackles marital dynamics and motherhood to media scandals, while answering real-life audience dilemmas and offering no holds barred advice.
Wednesday 31 December 21.00 Sky Comedy & NOW
I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not
Directed by two-time Emmy® Award winner Marina Zenovich, I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not is the authorised-yet-unfiltered documentary of the comedy legend, Chevy Chase. Whether it is his Saturday Night Live screen test or his starring roles in multiple Hollywood comedies, Chase has always had a huge comedic range. He is also a complex and contradictory human being, full of outsized gifts and striking flaws. Through illuminating interviews with the Chase family, friends and co-stars, Zenovich brings viewers into Chase’s inner world, revealing what is beneath the surface of his superstar bravado.
Friday 2 January 21.00 Sky Documentaries & NOW
Classic FM 25th Anniversary Concert
Classic FM returns to the Royal Albert Hall for a 25th anniversary musical extravaganza. Recorded in October this year, the renowned Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and 100-strong Bournemouth Symphony Chorus, conducted by Mark Wigglesworth, perform anthems including Handel’s ‘Zadok the Priest’, Parry’s ‘Jerusalem’ and Puccini’s great aria – made famous by Luciano Pavarotti – ‘Nessun Dorma’. There will also be performances from special guest artists, including renowned bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel and composer Sir John Rutter. Plus, there will be performances from violinist Esther Abrami, tenor Pene Pati, Classic FM’s composer in residence Debbie Wiseman OBE, and Diana Newell, winner of Channel 4’s The Piano.
Monday 29 December 21.00 Sky Arts & NOW
Fear the Walking Dead – Seasons 1-8
There’s more to dread than the inevitable return to work this festive season… All eight seasons of Fear the Walking Dead are finally coming to Sky. The first official spin-off to The Walking Dead universe, this series acts initially as a prequel to the mainline series, following a dysfunctional Los Angeles-based blended family whose lives are turned upside down when the zombie apocalypse hits. As they reinvent themselves and adapt to survive, soon events run concurrently to those experienced by Will Grimes and the other survivors, and a familiar face joins their struggle.
All episodes available on demand from 31 December on Sky & NOW
A Minecraft Movie
Welcome to the world of Minecraft, where creativity doesn’t just help you craft, it’s essential to one’s survival! Four misfits – Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison (Jason Momoa), Henry (Sebastian Hansen), Natalie (Emma Myers) and Dawn (Danielle Brooks) – find themselves struggling with ordinary problems when they are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into the Overworld: a bizarre, cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination. To get back home, they’ll have to master this world (and protect it from evil things like Piglins and Zombies, too) while embarking on a magical quest with an unexpected, expert crafter, Steve (Jack Black). Together, their adventure will challenge all five to be bold and to reconnect with the qualities that make each of them uniquely creative… the very skills they need to thrive back in the real world.
Available from Christmas Day on Sky Cinema Premiere & NOW
Sinners
Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers (Michael B. Jordan) return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.
Available from Boxing Day Sky Cinema Premiere & NOW
The Phoenician Scheme
Wealthy businessman, Zsa-Zsa Korda (Benicio del Toro) appoints his only daughter, a nun, as sole heir to his estate. As Korda embarks on a new enterprise, they soon become the target of scheming tycoons, foreign terrorists, and determined assassins. A typically quirky caper from film-maker auteur Wes Anderson.
Available from Saturday 27 December Sky Cinema Premiere & NOW
Friendship
Craig Waterman (Tim Robinson), a reclusive man, meets his new neighbour, Austin Carmichael (Paul Rudd), and forms an unexpected friendship with him. As their friendship grows, so does Craig’s obsession with Austin, and his attempts to make an adult, male friend threaten to ruin both their lives.
Available from Tuesday 30 December Sky Cinema Premiere & NOW
Hallow Road
Two parents receive a distressing late-night call from their teenage daughter, who has just accidentally hit a pedestrian. They jump in their car, racing to get there before anyone else stumbles across the scene. As they head deeper into the night, disturbing revelations threaten to tear the family apart as they soon realize they might not be the only ones driving down Hallow Road.
Available from Sunday 21 December Sky Cinema Premiere & NOW
Rob & Romesh Vs
Series 8, episodes 3 & 4
Ep 3: The Jungle – Rob & Romesh venture into the depths of the Sumatran jungle, in search of the most incredible wildlife, to find out if they can snap an exhibition worthy photo to enter one of the world’s most prestigious competitions – Wildlife Photographer of the Year at the Natural History Museum, London.
Tuesday 23 December 21.00 Sky Max & NOW
Ep 4: Shakespeare – Back in London, the pair are going Elizabethan as they prepare to perform ‘Romeo & Juliet’ at the world-famous Globe theatre. With the help of the Globe’s Artistic Director, Michelle Terry, and some of our nation’s finest actors, Jessie Buckley and Martin Freeman, the lads will be putting their acting skills to the test to find out if they can pull off one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays.
Tuesday 30 December 21.00 Sky Max & NOW
New episodes weekly
All Her Fault
Season 1, episode 8
Reeling from the recent home invasion, Marissa tries to put the pieces together to learn the truth; as Peter comes clean, she must decide how to protect the family; Alcaras hones in on the truth before being forced to make a tough decision. Series finale.
Friday 26 December 21.00 Sky Atlantic & NOW – All episodes available
I Love LA
Babes: Pigs in the City – Season 1, episode 8
Created, written by, and starring Rachel Sennott (Saturday Night, Bodies Bodies Bodies), I Love LA follows a reunion of a group of codependent friends – played by Sennott, Odessa A’zion, Jordan Firstman, True Whitaker and Josh Hutcherson – and explores how they have each been changed by ambition and new relationships in their time apart. Season finale.
Monday 22 December 22.00 Sky Comedy & NOW – New episodes weekly