This week's best telly includes the final of The Apprentice as well as a lot of great drama including the start of A Christmas Carol and the finale of His Dark Materials.
Here are 7 shows you can’t miss this week...
1. Responsible Child
Monday 16th December at 9pm on BBC Two
Responsible Child is a one-off 90 minute drama telling the story of Ray, a 12 year-old boy on trial for murder.
Ray, played by Billy Barratt, and his 23 year-old brother Nathan, played by James Tarpey, are arrested after stabbing their mother’s partner. Whatever the circumstances that have led a child to kill, the law is clear: the age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales is 10, and at 12 years old, Ray must stand trial in an adult court.
Based on a true story and told in two time frames, the film follows both the events that led up to the murder and the unfolding drama of the trial, taking us inside a young boy’s experience of the legal system and asking powerful questions about responsibility and redemption.
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2. The Apprentice Final
Wednesday 18th December at 9pm on BBC One
After last week's gruelling interview process, just two candidates remain in the running to receive a £250,000 investment in their business from Lord Sugar; Carina Lepore and Scarlett Allen-Horton.
As Lord Sugar summons the them both to the heart of London’s financial district, each finalist must launch their new business with help from some of this year’s fired candidates.
In an intensive three-day challenge, the finalists must create a new brand for their company, produce a digital billboard and direct and edit a television advert before pitching to Lord Sugar and a room full of industry experts at London’s City Hall.
Back in the boardroom, business proposals are picked apart by Lord Sugar before, after twelve tough weeks, he finally declares, "You’re Hired!"
14/14
3. The Cure
Thursday 19th December at 9pm on Channel 4
The Cure is a one-off drama based on the inspiring real-life story of Julie Bailey, an ordinary woman from Stafford who exposed one of the worst hospital care scandals in the history of the NHS.
Written by Amanda Duke, it stars Sian Brooke as Julie Bailey and Sue Johnston as her mum Bella. In 2007, Julie's elderly mum Bella was admitted to Stafford Hospital with a treatable hernia condition.
Eight weeks later she was dead, having endured appalling levels of care and neglect. But this wasn't an isolated case. During her mum's stay in hospital, Julie and her family witnessed the routine suffering of patients as they were left for hours in soiled sheets, without pain relief, desperately dehydrated, in filthy wards and ignored by staff. Julie was determined that no other patient should suffer in the same way and she launched a campaign called Cure the NHS.
Gradually the pressure of the campaign uncovered the full extent of what was really going on at the hospital, resulting in a public inquiry into the failings. It made 290 recommendations to ensure that patient safety became the top priority across the NHS.
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4. The Witcher
Friday 20th December on Netflix
Based on the best-selling fantasy series, The Witcher is an epic tale of fate and family.
Geralt of Rivia, a solitary monster hunter, struggles to find his place in a world where people often prove more wicked than beasts.
But when destiny hurtles him toward a powerful sorceress, and a young princess with a dangerous secret, the three must learn to navigate the increasingly volatile Continent together.
5. Dancing on Ice at Christmas
Sunday 22nd December at 7pm on ITV
With Strictly Come Dancing over for another year, ITV are wasting no time in launching Dancing On Ice with a very special Christmas extravaganza hosted by Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, just weeks ahead of the first competitive show on Sunday 4th January.
During the show, 12 brand new celebrities will be taking their first tentative steps on the ice and we'll find out which professional skater they’ve been partnered with and skating legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean perform a spectacular routine.
This year, Ashley Banjo returns alongside Torvill and Dean on the judging panel whilst John Barrowman replaces Jason Gardiner to cast his watchful eye over the celebs. Plus there'll be a whole host of incredible performances featuring some very special guests... did anyone say "The GC"?
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6. His Dark Materials
Sunday 22nd December at 8pm on BBC One
As BBC One's epic adaptation of His Dark Materials comes to an end, the Magisterium closes in and Lyra learns more about Asriel’s rebellion.
But her assistance to him comes at great personal cost...
8/8
7. A Christmas Carol
Sunday 22nd December at 9pm on BBC One
On over three consecutive nights, is Steven Knight's original take on Dickens’s iconic ghost story, A Christmas Carol.
Guy Pearce plays misanthropic businessman Ebenezer Scrooge who refuses to treat Christmas as different to any other day, which annoys Bob Cratchit who is desperate to leave work and get home to his family on Christmas Eve.
Meanwhile, Scrooge’s dead former business partner Jacob Marley begs for peace in his coffin. Having repented himself, the Spirits have news for him, he will linger in purgatory until Scrooge himself repents, something Marley knows he will never do.
Also stars Stephen Graham, Vinette Robinson, Lenny Rush and Joe Alwyn.
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