National treasure Colin Firth returns to TV this week in Peacock’s limited-series, Lockerbie: A Search for Truth. It’s a high-profile role for the Oscar winner, as he plays the father of a daughter killed in the Pan Am Flight 103 explosion over Lockerbie, Scotland. Inspired by the true story that tragically took place on December 21, 1988, when 259 passengers and crew were killed 38 minutes after take-off, Firth’s character takes on the role of spokesperson for the victim’s families as they unite to demand truth and justice. For more on the series, including the trailer, see below.
On a more light-hearted note, The Way Home returns for season three this Friday (not Thursday, as originally planned). And speaking of changing plans, the Hallmark drama series was first scheduled to air on the newly-launched streaming service, Hallmark+, this January and then debut on the Hallmark Channel this fall. Longtime fans voiced their unhappiness, so now the series will air on the Hallmark Channel after all and stream the next day on Hallmark+.
“It’s a conundrum because obviously [streaming] is the way of the world,” Andie MacDowell, who plays Del Landry on the beloved series, tells Glamour. “I feel for Hallmark. Eventually, I think they’ve got [to make that move] since the business is changing; but at the same time, they respect the show, and they respect people having a hard time making this adjustment. So, they decided to put it on both platforms.”
MacDowell has been loyal to Hallmark ever since she starred in their first scripted series, Cedar Cove, which ran for three seasons. “I have a lot of respect for them because they hire me, and I like to work,” she says. “There is a unique feeling when you do work for them that you don’t really experience [elsewhere]. The fans, and that connection…you see the love they truly have for these characters and for the show. The creative experience brings a lot of joy to people, and that’s nice.”
The first episode is titled “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet,” and MacDowell says what happens over the course of the new season results in some of her favorite moments. “There is something interesting that happens this year—my daughter and my granddaughter go through the pond and travel through time to the ‘70s,” she says. “They see Del and Colton falling in love at that age, so it’s going to be very exciting for people to see that.”
The intimate moments Del shares with Colton are some of MacDowell’s most cherished, since she knows her character can otherwise be quite harsh. “The connection she has with her husband shows how vulnerable she is, and I love seeing that,” she says. “Those private moments are when you see people really revealing themselves.”
Of course, one of the many reasons fans love MacDowell is because of her willingness to speak about what’s on her mind. As such, she’ll be the subject of Glamour‘s next Icons Only feature, so be on the lookout for that later next week.
Meanwhile, there’s plenty of year-end specials this week, since, you know, New Year’s Eve is this Tuesday. Whether you’ll be catching up on some of the best new TV shows from 2024, or watching the ball drop on New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, check out the full schedule below. I’ll see you back here next Sunday to preview the Golden Globes, The Traitors, and more. Happy New Year!
Sunday, December 29
The Wonderful World of Disney Presents Frozen (ABC): Fearless optimist Anna sets off on an epic journey to find her sister, Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. 7 p.m. ET/PT, 6 p.m. CT
The Wonderful World of Disney Presents Frozen 2 (ABC): Elsa, together with Anna, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven, go on a remarkable journey into the unknown to discover the source of her magical powers and save the kingdom of Arendelle. 9 p.m. ET/PT, 8 p.m. CT
Monday, December 30
Darby and Joan (Acorn TV): The mystery drama, starring Emmy-nominees Bryan Brown and Greta Scacchi, returns with a two-episode premiere today, followed by weekly episodes through January 27, 2025. Here’s the synopsis: A year after their lives collided on an outback road, retired Australian detective Jack Darby (Brown) and English widowed nurse Joan Kirkhope (Scacchi) have forged a deep friendship amid shared investigative adventures. But Jack’s story has only just begun—he’s determined to clear his name of the unexplained cloud hanging over his career. Despite the potential danger—or perhaps because of it—Joan insists on helping Jack with his quest. As they travel through Queensland’s picturesque landscapes solving mysteries along the way, Jack and Joan’s relationship will be tested. Streaming
The Day of the Jackal (NBC): The network will air the first episode of the critically-acclaimed Peacock series, which has been nominated for Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards. The Eddie Redmayne series has already been renewed for a second season, so if you haven’t checked it out yet on Peacock, watch it tonight on NBC. 10 p.m. ET/PT, 9 p.m. CT
Tuesday, December 31
Michelle Buteau: A Buteau-ful Mind at Radio City Music Hall (Netflix): In the comedian’s second Netflix special, she reflects on motherhood, marriage, and more. Her previous special, Michelle Buteau: Welcome to Buteaupia (2020), won a Critics Choice Award for Best Comedy Special. Streaming
New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash (CBS): Kane Brown and Jelly Roll will perform live from downtown Nashville along with an all-star lineup of back-to-back performances across multiple time zones, live from Music City. 8 p.m. ET/PT, 7 p.m. CT, and again at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT, 9:30 p.m. CT
Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2025 (ABC): In his 20th year as host of America’s most-watched New Year’s Eve special, Ryan Seacrest will lead the countdown to midnight alongside Rita Ora live from Times Square. Dayanara Torres returns as co-host in Puerto Rico, while Carrie Underwood will close out 2024 with a live, headlining performance of some of her biggest hits live in Times Square just before midnight. Megan Moroney and legendary British singer-songwriter Sophie Ellis-Bextor (“Murder on the Dance Floor”) will join Underwood in Times Square, in addition to Lenny Kravitz, Tedd Swims, Tinashe, Cody Johnson, Thomas Rhett, and more. On the West Coast, Alanis Morissette, Reneé Rapp, Dasha, DJ Cassidy’s Pass The Mic Live! starring Ja Rule, Fat Joe, Slick Rick & Doug E. Fresh, Ernest, HARDY, Kesha, Laufey, Natasha Bedingfield, and T-Pain will take the stage. Additionally, Blake Shelton will perform from Las Vegas, and the Jonas Brothers will perform a medley of hits right after midnight. 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT
St. Denis Medical (NBC): In a repeat episode, Alex accidentally provokes the Emergency Department’s mean girls, while Ron and Serena battle over parking etiquette. 8 p.m. ET/PT, 7 p.m. CT
Night Court (NBC): In case you missed the third season premiere, you can catch it again tonight, as Abby investigates whether Dan might be her boyfriend’s dad. Speaking of Dan, a blast from the past resurfaces as the court’s new prosecutor. 8:30 p.m. ET/PT, 7:30 p.m. CT
A Toast to 2024! (NBC): Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager ring in the new year as they host this two-hour primetime, star-studded special featuring the year’s buzziest and brightest moments. 9 p.m. ET/PT, 8 p.m. CT
The Day Drinking with Seth Meyers New Year’s Special (NBC): The late-night host rings in 2025 by looking back on his many Day Drinking segments, which includes Rihanna, Post Malone, Will Forte, Kelly Clarkson, Kristen Stewart, Kevin Hart, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Lizzo, and Dua Lipa. 11:30 p.m. ET/PT, 10:30 p.m. CT
Wednesday, January 1
The 135th Rose Parade (NBC): The annual parade with gorgeous rose-covered floats and marching bands live from the streets of Pasadena, California. 11 a.m. ET/10 a.m. CT/8 a.m. PT
2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (ABC): The three-hour special will feature performances and appearances by Mary J. Blige, Cher, Dave Matthews Band, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Kool & The Gang, Ozzy Osbourne, A Tribe Called Quest, Dionne Warwick, Kelly Clarkson, Zendaya, and more, honoring this year’s inductees for music’s highest honor. 8 p.m. ET/PT, 7 p.m. CT
Thursday, January 2
Lockerbie: A Search for Truth (Peacock): Colin Firth plays Dr. Jim Swire in this five-episode drama series inspired by the true-life story that took place on December 21, 1988. On that date, 259 passengers and crew were killed when Pan Am Flight 103 exploded over Lockerbie 38 minutes after take-off, with a further 11 residents losing their life as the plane came down over the quiet, Scottish town. In the wake of the disaster and his daughter’s death, Dr Jim Swire (Firth), is nominated spokesperson for the UK victims’ families, who have united to demand truth and justice. Catherine McCormack, Rosanna Adams, Jemma Carlton, Harry Redding, Sam Troughton, Mark Bonner, Ardalan Esmaili, and Selwa Jghalef also star. Streaming
Friday, January 3
Access Daily with Mario and Kit (Syndicated): Mom, this is for you! I’ll be on the daytime show with hosts Kit Hoover and Mario Lopez to break down who should win and who will win at Sunday’s Golden Globes. Check local listings
The Way Home (Hallmark Channel/Hallmark+): Andie MacDowell, Chyler Leigh, Evan Williams, and Sadie Laflamme-Snow are back for the third season, while Julia Tomasone and Jordan Doww join the cast as the teen versions of Del (MacDowell) and Colton (Jefferson Brown). Devin Cecchetto will play Teen Evelyn.
Per Hallmark, “Season three picks up where season two left off—with Kat (Leigh) and her brother Jacob (Spencer Macpherson), who went missing more than two decades ago at the age of eight and is now an adult, poised to walk into the Landry home to an unsuspecting Del (MacDowell). Viewers will be introduced to a groovy new era when the pond transports Kat and Alice to 1974—the year Del and Colton (Brown) first met as teens and their epic love story began. Alice is befriended by a young, spritely Evelyn Goodwin (Cecchetto) but their budding friendship complicates Alice’s relationship with Del, who wants her memories of Colton to remain the way they are. Meanwhile, Kat attempts to close the door on the 1800s after making startling discoveries. In the present day she and Elliot (Williams) navigate a new chapter in their relationship, while he finds himself faced with his own complicated past.” 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT and streaming the next day on Hallmark+
Outlander (Starz): In episode 715, titled “Written in My Own Heart’s Blood,” Claire is in danger as the American Revolution reaches the pivotal Battle of Monmouth. Meanwhile, Lord John Grey and Ian race to save William, and Brianna makes an important decision. Streaming and on linear
Selling The City (Netflix): The creators of Selling Sunset and Selling the OC have created this new series, which follows a dynamic group of no-nonsense agents at Douglas Elliman as they navigate the cutthroat world of luxury real estate in New York City. Streaming
Grammy Greats: The Most Memorable Moments (CBS): Relive some of the Grammy’s greatest moments in this two-hour special hosted by Gayle King and Jimmy Jam. The two are joined by Dua Lipa, St. Vincent, Annie Lennox, Luke Combs, LL Cool J, Keith Urban, Jennifer Hudson, Brandi Carlile, Joni Mitchell, Bonnie Raitt, Elton John, Melissa Etheridge, and Ricky Martin. 9 p.m. ET/PT, 8 p.m. CT
The post What to Watch the Week of December 29: Colin Firth’s New TV Series and Season 3 of The Way Home appeared first on Glamour.
