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This weekend marks 33 years since the premiere of A Touch of Frost, ITV’s long-running crime drama based on R.D. Wingfield’s novels. The series follows scruffy, sharp-eyed DI Jack Frost (David Jason) as he works major cases in the fictional town of Denton - balancing grim investigations with gallows humor and a stubborn sense of justice.
Across its feature-length cases, Frost spars with by-the-book Supt. Mullett (Bruce Alexander) and leans on steady DS George Toolan (John Lyons), with recurring turns from Caroline Harker and Arthur White.
Though the video quality feels a bit dated compared to newer shows, the differences fade away pretty quickly once you get into it. It’s a classic for a reason, and if you’ve never watched it, we highly recommend it.
In the US, A Touch of Frost is available to stream on BritBox.
The best Secret Santa gift? A Pop-Tart heating pad.
For the friend who loves cozy comfort and a touch of nostalgia, the Happy Helpers Pop-Tart Heating Pad is a sweet standout on any holiday gift list. Designed to look just like the iconic Strawberry Frosted Pop-Tart, this microwaveable cutie delivers warm, soothing relief for period cramps, sore muscles, or chilly winter days.
Perfect for your bestie, parent, sibling, or anyone who could use a little extra warmth this season. Equal parts comforting and charming, this Pop-Tart is guaranteed to be the most delightfully unexpected hit of your Secret Santa exchange!
THIS WEEK IN BRITISH TV
On BritBox, new episodes of Blue Lights continue weekly on Thursdays, and new episodes of Season 5 of Shakespeare & Hathaway continue on Tuesdays. On December 1st, they added The Other Bennet Sister Yule Log (like a virtual fireplace for your TV), and on the 10th they’re adding Season 5 of Mrs. Brown’s Boys.
On Acorn TV, new episodes of the Graham Norton Show arrive on Fridays, and the final episode of The Gone airs on December 8th. On December 1st, they added the Scottish rom-com The Decoy Bride, along with the three-part travel series, Neil & Martin’s Bon Voyage (Neil Morrissey and Martin Clunes do France). On the 8th, Season 25 of Midsomer Murders begins (one episode weekly for four weeks).
On PBS Masterpiece and Passport (but not old-fashioned broadcast TV), Season 6 of Miss Scarlet premieres December 7th. For those who watch via their local station on traditional TV, the new season will debut on January 11th.
On Netflix, December 10th brings Simon Cowell: The Next Act. On the 11th, they’ll add Man vs Baby with Rowan Atkinson.
On Hulu, they added Hunting Mr. Nice: How to Catch a Cartel Kingpin on December 3rd. The two-part series chronicles the career of Howard Marks, a cannabis smuggler who got his start selling pot while at Oxford University. On the 5th, they add Next Level Baker, a four-part Christmas baking special hosted by Gordon Ramsay.
On Amazon Prime, they added A Haunting in Venice, Four Weddings & a Funeral, Love Actually, and Notting Hill on December 1st.
On Paramount+, psychological thriller fans can look forward to Little Disasters on December 11th. Based on Sarah Vaughan’s novel of the same name, it follows four female friends whose lives begin to fall apart after one calls social services on another. Jo Joyner (Shakespeare & Hathaway) is among the cast members.
DEALS ON BRITISH TV BOOKS
I was browsing sales this week and I noticed there were quite a few great deals on ebook versions of books that were adapted into British TV shows - so if you’re looking for some nice winter reads and you enjoy seeing how the screen version compares to the written word, these are worth a look. We’ve linked the TV show first, then the book(s) on sale.
One Good Turn by Kate Atkinson (Book 2)
Big Sky (Book 5)
Out of Bounds by Val McDermid (Book 4)
Rebus (New adaptation | Classic adaptation)
Exit Music by Sir Ian Rankin (Book 17)
Gallows View by Peter Robinson (Book 1)
Strange Affair (Book 15)
All Creatures Great & Small (New adaptation | Classic adaptation)
Every Living Thing by James Herriot (Book 5)
A Pinch of Snuff by Reginald Hill (Book 5)
A Killing Kindness (Book 6)
Deadheads (Book 7)
Exit Lines (Book 8)
Child’s Play (Book 9)
Underworld (Book 10)
Bones & Silence (Book 11)
Recalled to Life (Book 13)
Pictures of Perfection (Book 14)
On Beulah Height (Book 16)
The Price of Butcher’s Meat (Book 21)
Please note that all books were reduced on Sunday evening when I wrote this, but that could always change at any time.
Martha Lloyd: You look amazing!
Anne Lloyd: It would be a much better compliment if you didn't look so surprised.
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