Our take
A busy Christmas Eve episode that sets up the next night's payoff, a home-made Nativity play, and squeezes in a prank, a grotto in need of a Santa and the usual war with the posh in-laws. It went out at 10.15pm and was watched by 8.78 million, a jump of about a third on the year before. Cathy's revenge on her nosy mother is the best thread.
What happens
With the festive season fast approaching, Agnes Brown faces her busiest Christmas yet. Trevor is visiting from the missions, grandson Bono is sleeping over on Christmas Eve, and Dermot is now the father of triplets, so there are three new faces to feed on Christmas Day. First, though, the tree needs decorating. When the priest, Father Damien, announces that the Finglas Nativity play has been cancelled, Agnes vows to stage one of her own in the community centre, and refuses to take no for an answer when he will not ask the Bishop's permission. Cathy, furious to find her mother has been opening her post, plays a prank: she convinces Agnes she has been entered for a Best Christmas Mother competition, so Agnes starts being unusually nice to everyone, even Grandad. Agnes gets her own back on Hillary Nicholson, who scoffs at the idea of her playing the Virgin Mary, while Buster and Dermot hunt for a Santa for their Christmas grotto and Rory wonders whether to take Dino to a hairdressing awards night.
Can the kids watch it?
Rated 15 by the BBFC for strong language and sex references; the swearing and near-the-knuckle innuendo run all the way through, so it is for 15 and over, not a family watch.
Cast and crew
Starring
- Brendan O'Carroll as Agnes Brown
- Jennifer Gibney as Cathy Brown
- Eilish O'Carroll as Winnie McGoogan
- Danny O'Carroll as Buster Brady
- Rory Cowan as Rory Brown
Guest stars
- Fiona O'Carroll as Maria Brown
- Susie Blake as Hillary Nicholson
- Gary Hollywood as Dino Doyle
- Amanda Woods as Betty Brown
- Jamie O'Carroll as Bono Brown
Writer
- Brendan O'Carroll
Director
- Ben Kellett