5 TV Highlights to look forward to in 2015

2015 here it is! OK so the year is a week old already, but now we’ve had time to look at the scales (sad times), look at the photos (good times) and finish off the Christmas and New Year chocolates and cake (movie time….!) it is time to look at everything that 2015 has to offer. Obviously event television is rare these days, especially with iPlayer and the like, however without further ado here are 5 things being broadcast this year you might not want to miss!

1. Who Killed Lucy Beale?

Good Friday 2014 was the day EastEnders launched its 30th anniversary storyline – a murder mystery. Everyone in Albert Square was named as a potential suspect when original character Ian Beale’s (Adam Woodyatt) daughter Lucy (Hetti Bywater) was found murdered on Walford Common. The events of New Year’s Day has whittled our list down to eleven suspects and annoyingly seen the one person who had solved the crime DCI Emma Summerhayes (Anna Acton) killed off, so we have to wait until February 19th to find out who did the dastardly deed. Those hoping for leaks maybe out of luck – the episode is rumoured to be live, as will many elements of the episodes throughout that week. However you can console yourself with the fact that EastEnders are doing a flashback episode as well taking us back to Good Friday 2014 in order for us to see exactly what happened. Check out how they’ve plotted the plot line here…

2. Everybody needs good Neighbours

It may have been on Channel 5 since 2008 but alongside EastEnders, Neighbours is also 30 years old this year. The anniversary celebrations will air in Australia in mid-March so giving the two week delay these episodes should hit the UK around Easter. They promise to be something truly special with many past cast members being involved in the celebrations both on and off screen – most excitingly perhaps being the return of iconic chalk and cheese couple Harold and Madge Bishop (Ian Smith and Anne Charleston) who are back, despite Madge having succumbed to cancer in 2001! So far twelve past cast members are confirmed to come back and you can guarantee that there will be more surprises before the episodes go to air. Most recently, the show has returned from its Christmas break with a new set of credits, theme and logo that hark back right to the original set in 1985….

3. Rise Like a Phoenix

This year sees yet another anniversary being commemorated. The exception being that this one is now on the verge of being an old age pensioner. Much love to this long term nutleyone soft spot because on May 23rd in Vienna the 60th Eurovision Song Contest will take place – with the winner following in the footsteps of the likes of Conchita Wurst (2014), Alexander Rybak (2010) and Charlotte Perrelli nee Nilsson (1999) to name but a few of the names that have won this contest over the years. The UK preselection or song is yet to be announced with (as always) many, many rumours floating around, though many countries have already started their search in earnest. If May 23rd is too long to wait then catch Eurovision in Concert in Amsterdam on 18th April (check out their twitter here) or alternatively come to Cafe des Paris in London on 26th April (check out their twitter here) – both events will see many of this years contestants promote their entries and are not to be missed!

4. Return to Baker Street

Not to wish your entire year away, but Sherlock fans out there do not despair! This year will see the return of everybody’s favourite detective in a special episode (rumoured to air at Christmas) ahead of another series of three episodes next year. Having been teased mercilessly by the inexplicable appearance of Moriarty (Andrew Scott) at the end of last year’s episodes there is now a long wait ahead to find out the how this whole situation is going to unfold. One thing is for sure, Sherlock’s writers Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat will tease us mercilessly throughout 2015 and the only way to find out will be to tune in…

5. Russell T Davies is back!

For those of us who are fans of RTD’s work, 2015 sees a massive RTD project finally hit television screens. Having outraged the more conservative parts of the nation with Queer as Folk (1999), imagined The Second Coming (2003) and revitalised the nation’s favourite Time Lord in Doctor Who (2005) RTD is returning to Channel Four, E4 and online with not one, not two but three series exploring 21st century gay life. With ‘Cucumber’ on Channel 4 centring around Henry and Lance a gay forty something couple, ‘Banana’ on E4 with eight stand alone stories that accompany Cucumber, and ‘Tofu’ exclusively online looking behind the scenes for RTD fans this maybe one set of series you may not want to miss. Cucumber launches on Channel Four, 9pm, 22nd January followed by Banana at 10pm on E4. Tofu will be online shortly after the shows have been broadcast.

And that’s it! Five must-see highlights for television this year – of course there is always stuff that didn’t make the cut. We’ve got a summer of sport (as always) – and this year England hosts the Rugby World Cup; there’s another series of Doctor Who to look forward to in the autumn, Britain’s Got Talent launches in April, Looking returns to Sky Atlantic in February and much, much more!!