BBC One

The eight-part series stars Tahar Rahim (A Prophet) as murderer Charles Sobhraj alongside Jenna Coleman (Victoria) as his partner Marie-Andrée Leclerc.

Inspired by true events, The Serpent follows the capture of Sobhraj (Rahim), a man who became Interpol’s most wanted man in the seventies. As the lead suspect in numerous unsolved murders of Western tourists across India, Thailand and Nepal, Sobhraj continually eluded imprisonment despite arrest warrants in three different continents.

The six-part comedy crime thriller set in Bristol will follow a group of seven complete strangers brought together to complete a Community Payback sentence.

The group of misfits from different walks of life form unlikely friendships, and each character’s complicated life is brought into play. As the initial façades begin to slip, The Offenders delves into what made each character the complex people they are today.

When one falls into trouble, the group must unite to protect them from Bristol’s most dangerous gang.

Wisting

BBC Four, 9pm

In this thrilling Norwegian drama, homicide detective William Wisting (Sven Nordin) wrestles with the most disturbing case of his career: an American serial killer at loose in the Norwegian town of Larvik, preying on young blonde women and keeping them captive in wells.

A Question of Sport at 50  

BBC One, 8.30pm

This one-off documentary explores how A Question of Sport has evolved over the past 50 years into a primetime TV hit.

A Question of Sport at 50 looks back through the 1200 plus episodes of the longest-running sports quiz show in the world to celebrate its 50th year on television.

Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special

BBC One, 8.30pm

The early December event – organised by BBC Birmingham in partnership with RTS Midlands – celebrated the writer’s latest project, a three-part adaptation of A Christmas Carol, a highlight of BBC One’s festive schedule.

The Dickens classic has been adapted countless times, which is why Knight said he undertook a detailed study of the original text in search of a fresh take on a familiar story.

The five-part series from BBC Studios Natural History Unit has been described by executive producer Mike Gunton as “Planet Earth for plants!”

The Green Planet will offer an unseen look into the inter-connected and surprising behaviour of the plant world, where unlikely heroes and emotional stories emerge.

Attenborough will discover plants that can outlive civilisations, and others that could cover the Earth in a matter of months with their ferocious breeding patterns.

The six-part series focuses on a trial that grips the nation and is at the centre of a media storm, putting a harsh spotlight on the victim, the accused and both their families.

The trial explores the disappearance of Hannah Ellis, a hard-working student and daughter of a single mum.

Following her disappearance, Talitha Campbell, an arrogant daughter of a wealthy entrepreneur, is arrested and charged as the perpetrator.

The BBC One series, made by the Red Production Company, bagged three awards at the ceremony, which was held at the Hilton Deansgate in Manchester. Years and Years was named Best Drama, while the acting gongs went to Rory Kinnear and Jessica Hynes.

Granada Reports also picked up three awards on the night. The ITV News programme won the Best Regional News Programme award for its investigation into the North West’s high suicide rate and the prize for Best Digital Content. Sports correspondent Chris Hall was named Best Regional News Journalist.

Based on a first-hand account of the Windrush scandal in 2016, the drama follows Anthony Bryan (Robinson) who is classed as an illegal immigrant despite living in the UK for over 50 years.

After deciding to visit his mother in Jamaica, Bryan is shocked to discover that there are no records of him at the Passport Office, requiring him to prove his citizenship to the Immigration Office.

Bryan is later forced to leave his job without the ability to claim benefits and is forcibly removed from his home when he is detained as an illegal immigrant.