Gatiss and Brown for Christmas
Friday, October 10, 2008 by Graham Kibble-White
Mark Gatiss is joining forces with Derren Brown to create a BBC4 Christmas ghost story.
In many ways, it feels like this is the collaboration and project that was always meant to be. Crooked House, written by Gatiss and directed by Damon Thomas is described as “a haunting tale of three sumptuous ghost stories woven together for a spooky Christmas treat.” The cast includes Julian Rhind-Tutt, Gatiss, Philip Jackson, Lee Ingleby, Jean Marsh, Samuel Barnett, Daniela Denby-Ashe, Anna Madeley and, in his debut dramatic role, Derren Brown as the mysterious Sir Roger Widdowson.
Gatiss says: “Ever since I was a child and thrilled to the BBC’s classic MR James adaptations, I’ve dreamt of sending a festive shiver down the nation’s spine.
“I’m delighted to finally have the opportunity. A fantastic cast and crew have worked incredibly hard to fulfil this long held dream.”
It wouldn’t be Christmas without a ghost story, and BBC4 seems to be building steadily on the tradition year on year. I shall look forward t this.
This is excellent news – BBC4′s Ghost Stories at Christmas are one of the highlights of my viewing year and the folk involved sound like they will do a good job. But surely they could have found just a small role for Clive Swift?
Yes it sounds wonderful – with a fantastic cast.
Given how unpleasant Clive Swift seems to have been on the set of “Doctor Who” last year, however, I’m personally not particularly surprised that the BBC hasn’t exactly leaped at the opportunity to cast him in this!