US to get Extras special first

The HBO network has announced that it will air the 83-minute Christmas episode to its subscribers at 9pm on December 16.

BBC schedulers have not yet confirmed a date for transmission here, but it will be part of the festive line-up, and is largely expected to air much closer to Christmas.

The decision to make licence-payers wait longer for the show they helped pay for is likely to annoy British fans.

But a BBC spokeswoman said: ‘Extras Christmas special is a BBC/HBO co-production so both networks are free to schedule as they wish.

‘We've decided to save this feature-length episode as a special festive treat and will be showing it on BBC One over the Christmas period."

Guest stars appearing in the special include George Michael Clive Owen, Gordon Ramsay, David Tennant, Hale and Pace, former Steps star Lisa Scott-Lee and Lionel Blair

Here’s the trailer:

Published: 7 Nov 2007