BBC viewers were left ‘crying their eyes out’ by an ‘underrated’ drama’s Christmas special that ‘should have taken Mrs Brown’s Boys place in the TV schedule’. 

Beyond Paradise – a spin-off of popular crime drama Death in Paradise – hit our screens in February 2023.

It’s gone on to air 20 episodes across three seasons, starring the likes of Kris Marshall as Detective Inspector Humphrey Goodman, Sally Bretton as Martha Lloyd, Zahra Ahmadi as Detective Sergeant Esther Williams and Dylan Llewellyn as Constable Kelby Hartford.

They are also joined by Felicity Montagu, Melina Sinadinou, Jamie Bamber and Barbara Flynn.

There has been a Christmas special every year since it premiered, and this year it aired on December 22.

The episode follows Kris and the team try to figure out the identity of a man with dementia who has a photo of Kris, claiming that he knows him.

+6
View gallery

BBC viewers were left ‘crying their eyes out’ by an ‘underrated’ drama’s Christmas special that ‘should have taken Mrs Brown’s Boys place in the TV schedule’

+6
View gallery

Beyond Paradise – a spin-off of popular crime drama Death in Paradise – hit our screens in February 2023

The BBC’s synopsis states: ‘An elderly man living with dementia turns up on the police station steps, clutching only a photograph of Humphrey.

‘He’s searching for his sister, Louise, and believes that Humphrey is his last hope. But with precious few clues to her whereabouts, the team must work against the clock to unravel the mysteries of his past.

‘Just as they dive into the search, the station is rocked by another call. There’s been a break-in at a local wine bar, where the team celebrated their Christmas party just hours before. On top of this, Kelby is called to an unusual emergency: a man hopelessly trapped inside a snowman suit after his head was glued on as a prank.

‘As the clock ticks down, could the snowman hold a vital clue to solving another festive mystery?

‘With an influx of unexpected visitors, a slew of holiday crimes to crack and a heartwarming reunion on the line, can the team juggle it all and still be ready for a life-changing reveal?’

The episode left many feeling very emotional and many took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their thoughts.

‘#Beyondparadise ooh I am not crying.’

‘What have you done to me, I am a 49 year old man and I’m crying my eyes out, that is how you do a Christmas Episode, emotional, funny, heart, Selwyn!! Absolutely fantastic and Ade Edmondson is a National Treasure. #BeyondParadise.’

+6
View gallery

There has been a Christmas special every year since it premiered, and this year it aired on December 23

‘Crying ugly tears at the #BeyondParadise Christmas special. So beautiful, poignant & emotional. I can’t handle it.’

‘Oh my goodness #ChristmasSpecial #BeyondParadise. I’m not crying, honestly I’m not.’

‘Crying and smiling throughout this episode. Just brilliant as always.’

While others shared how much they loved the instalment – and even shared how they wanted it to air on December 25 instead of other programmes.

‘Beyond Paradise doesn’t get the credit it deserves. Brilliantly written, brilliantly cast, brilliantly acted.’

‘Just finished watching #BeyondParadise a nice harmless Christmas show with a great outcome. Question; Why didn’t the BBC schedule this for Christmas evening rather than Eastenders, Mrs Browns Boys and yet even more bloody celebrities in programmes?’

‘What a great episode the Christmas special was.’

‘This was a lovely Christmas special.’

+6
View gallery

+6
View gallery

Many took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share how emotional they got as they watched the Christmas special

Talking about the episode, actor Kris told the Beeb: ‘It’s such a personal story for Humphrey. A man turns up on his doorstep with a picture and we’re not sure why, but it soon becomes a deeply touching story.

‘I find it becomes especially personal because of the eventual reason as to why he has Humphrey’s photograph – it’s a very Christmassy story that warms the cockles.’

It comes after upset viewers hit out after the BBC released their 2025 Christmas TV schedule, fuming ‘what a letdown!’

There will be festive editions of several BBC programmes, each filled with seasonal moments for fans to enjoy next month – but clearly they’re not to everyone’s tastes.

As the broadcaster shared what they had in store, X users raced to share their grievances – and didn’t mince their words.

One example is Mrs Brown’s Boys – which has become a staple for the Beeb since debuting in 2011 – and will have two specials.

This sitcom features creator Brendan O’Carroll, 70, portraying foul-mouthed matriarch Agnes Brown.

Other shows on the BBC One schedule include The Night Manager, Amandaland, Death in Paradise and Here We Go, to name just a few.

Also among the list are The Traitors, EastEnders, Beyond Paradise, Call The Midwife‘s specials, Here We Go and Strictly Come Dancing.

For BBC Two, viewers will be able to enjoy the likes of Gone Christmas Fishing, Christmas University Challenge and Mammooth.

Reacting online, one person penned: ‘Genuinely not one thing that stands out! What a letdown.’

Another wrote: ‘Well, that’s a whole lot of nothing special!’

A third added: ‘Please don’t ruin Christmas with Mrs Browns Boys!’

While a fourth chimed in: ‘My expectations after last year’s line up were low but holy.’