Sure, it pits Spall and James Nesbitt against each other as Santa and Villainous Santa – but the child star Bamber Todd is who really steals the show. What a magnificent drama
Last year, Sky Max gave us the little belter that was Christmas Carole, a reworking of the Dickens classic with Suranne Jones as the Scrooge-a-like entrepreneur anchoring a fabulous, family-friendly show that blended laughter and tears in perfect festive proportions.
This year, we have almost as great a triumph in The Heist Before Christmas, a tale of duelling Saint Nicks and a test of faith in magic. Technically, it stars the big names Timothy Spall (as Santa – or is he?) and James Nesbitt (as Villainous Fake Santa – or is he? Yes, he is, totally). But every scene and, I suspect, heart is stolen by two other, lesser names, which is exactly how it should be, given the season.
