This year’s festive listings includes a number of TV shows made in Bristol to enjoy this Christmas, and once the decorations come down, there’s always the premieres of two major features filmed in the city to look forward to in 2019…
The Crystal Maze Celebrity Christmas Special: Richard Ayoade guides a celebrity team of adventurers around a special panto-themed Maze. Captaining the team is Christopher Biggins, leading Deborah Meaden, Jamie Laing, Frankie Bridge and Chris Kamara with some surprising celebrity cameos and a pantomime cow along the way. Filmed earlier this year in the purpose-built maze spanning over 30,000 square feet of The Bottle Yard Studios, created by original Maze designer James Dillon. 26 December, Channel 4, 8pm
Fortitude: The final ever episode of the chilling Arctic thriller set in the frozen town of Fortitude, where horrors fester with sherrif Dan Anderssen at the heart of them. Starring Dennis Quaid and Richard Dormer, filmed in Bristol at The Bottle Yard Studios and on location in Norway. Watch our behind the scenes film made by boomsatsuma students. 27 December, Sky Atlantic, 9pm
Tipping Point Lucky Stars Christmas Special: Ben Shephard hosts a seasonal special in which Lesley Joseph, Vicky Pattison and Christopher Biggins don panto outfits to and bid to land their charities a £20,000 Christmas gift. Filmed earlier this year in the show’s 8,000 sq ft studio at The Bottle Yard Studios. 29 December, ITV, 7pm
Art Ninja: The fifth series of this CBBC kids’ favourite kicks off with a Christmas special showing on Christmas Eve (9.15am) & Boxing Day (5.40pm) and will continue in January. The series was partly filmed at The Bottle Yard Studios and on location at Bristol Museum with support from Bristol Film Office. 24 & 26 December, 13th January onwards, CBBC
Stan & Ollie – in cinemas 11 January 2019: The highly anticipated new biopic starring Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly as the legendary movie comedy duo Laurel & Hardy filmed in Bristol earlier this year, supported by Bristol Film Office. The preserved historic harbourside can be seen in the movie’s official trailer released by EOne, doubling for the Irish docks that double act arrive at as part of their variety hall tour in 1953. The Balmoral stars as the vessel the pair alight from, greeted by crowds of cheering fans. Filming also took place at the Bristol Hippodrome, which features as the exterior of a variety hall on the tour. www.stanandollie.co.uk
Hellboy – in cinemas 12 April 2019. Based on the graphic novels by Mike Mignola, Hellboy, caught between the worlds of the supernatural and human, battles an ancient sorceress bent on revenge. Starring David Harbour, Milla Jovovich, Ian McShane, Daniel Dae Kim, and Sasha Lane, directed by Neil Marshall. Look closely at the opening scenes of the brand new trailer released by Lionsgate yesterday (which has already had more than 2.2 million views) and you’ll spot Waring House flats on Bristol’s Redcliff Hill. Major scenes shot there in September 2017 over two nights of filming supported by Bristol Film Office, featuring SWAT teams, firearms and armoured vehicles. The production team based at The Bottle Yard Studios during its time in Bristol, using production offices and prop storage. www.hellboy.movie