Christmas is not quite with us yet plans are well underway for January’s entertainment. Britbox breaks the holiday mood with This is England — a dark coming of age drama set in ’80s England

New Years Day on Britbox sees new films added, including Dog Soldiers (2002), Topsy Turvy (1999), The Winter Guest (1997) and This is England (2006). The last of these brings us Shane Meadows’ gritty portrait of teenage urban life in Thatcher’s Britain of the early ’80s. Living at home with his mum in a rundown coastal town, his dad killed in the Falklands, Shaun (Thomas Turgoose) spends a lot of time on his own and dreads the long summer break. Expecting the worst when he runs into a group of skinheads, Shaun’s surprised when they turn out to be friendly and adopt him as one of their own. It’s well worth a watch if you’ve never seen it.

Classic children’s shows and more

It’s all change on the 7th of January, with episodes from: The Borrowers (1992),  Maid Marian and Her Merry Men (1989), The Demon Headmaster (1996), Rentaghost (1976), Grange Hill (1978), Mr Benn (1971), King Rollo (1980), Worzel Gummidge (1979) and The Secret Service (1969). Complete seasons of Press Gang, Tots TV, Catweazle and Stingray will also be added.

There’s also something for Sean Bean fans, with fifteen episodes of Sharpe.

More drama and comedy whilst watching the detectives

Other highlight include Miranda, with the whole show coming on January 14th, bringing Miranda Hart, Sally Phillips and pre-Lucifer Tom Ellis. Father Brown season 8 arrives on January 17th and there’s a treat for Derek Jacobi fans with Cafael coming to the service on January 21. Sherlock Holmes devotees get the Michael Caine Without Clue, the Benedict Cumberbatch series and the Jeremy Brett series from the 1980s.

You can read the full press release here.