Martin Freeman (‘The Hobbit’, ‘Sherlock’) and Jim Broadbent (‘The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry’, ‘Bridget Jones’) are heading into distinctly spooky territory this Christmas, as the BBC announces ‘The Bride’s Chamber’, the latest instalment of ‘A Ghost Story For Christmas’ from Mark Gatiss.
For his ninth entry in the festive tradition, Gatiss is turning to Charles Dickens and a tale involving a mysterious inn, a strangely familiar traveller, and a visitor you probably wouldn’t want knocking on your bedroom door. Well, it wouldn’t be Christmas without someone having a thoroughly dreadful night, would it?
Set in 1858, the story begins at an inn with no name, where an eccentric landlord welcomes a lone traveller whose appearance seems oddly familiar. As the guest settles into his room for the night, an uncanny man dressed in black arrives with a story to tell. Given the circumstances, we suspect it won’t be a cheerful account of his journey.
That story concerns a spurned and vengeful suitor who manipulates a young woman, marrying her to get his hands on her fortune. However, his murderous plans create a purgatory of his own. Apparently, Dickens had rather more to offer the festive season than a reformed miser and a generously sized turkey.
Joining Freeman and Broadbent are Adrian Scarborough (‘The Chelsea Detective’, ‘Gavin & Stacey’), Joe Armstrong (‘Happy Valley’, ‘The Hollow Crown’), India Fowler (‘The Agency’, ‘Fear Street: Prom Queen’) and Lewis Shepherd (‘Dear England’, ‘Lynley’). The BBC has also released a first-look image of Freeman as Goodchild, pictured in suitably atmospheric Victorian surroundings.
Originally published in 1858 as ‘The Ghost in the Bride’s Chamber’, the story is considered one of Dickens’ darkest tales. It also gives Gatiss the opportunity to dig into a less familiar corner of the author’s work, bringing another literary nightmare to BBC Two and iPlayer.
“I’m once more thrilled and honoured to bring another Ghost Story for Christmas to BBC Two. It’s unusual to find a Dickens rarity but this is it! A weird and nasty little treasure which lurks within a work co-written with the great Wilkie Collins. A lonely inn, an incognito traveller and a ghastly tale of warped obsession. Merry Christmas!” says Mark Gatiss.
The new adaptation follows ‘The Room In The Tower’, based on E.F. Benson’s story, in 2025; ‘Woman Of Stone’, adapted from E. Nesbit, in 2024; and Arthur Conan Doyle’s ‘Lot No. 249’ in 2023. Principal photography took place earlier this year at Ingatestone Hall in Essex, providing the setting for this latest dose of seasonal unease.
“The Ghost Story for Christmas has become an essential dish on the festive TV menu, for audiences who love nothing more than settling in for a spine-tingling tale on a winter’s night. This year we’re delighted to bring you this spooky story by Charles Dickens brilliantly adapted and directed by Mark Gatiss, with a great cast, to coincide with a range of further Dickens-inspired programming set to air across the BBC in December as part of the National Year of Reading,” says Mark Bell, Commissioning Editor for BBC Arts.
Dickens will be getting plenty of attention across the BBC this winter. Alongside the ghost story, the broadcaster has a three-part documentary exploring how the streets of Victorian London after dark inspired his writing, plus a four-part adaptation of ‘A Tale Of Two Cities’, starring Kit Harington (‘Game Of Thrones’).
BBC Arts will also bring ‘Oliver Twist’ to ‘The Read’, with a performance reading by Caroline Quentin (‘Jonathan Creek’). Meanwhile, Gatiss will unbox a copy of his favourite Dickens novel for ‘The Rebound’, the BBC’s social media series, which will be available on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and BBC iPlayer.
‘The Bride’s Chamber’ is a BBC Arts commission, produced by Adorable Media, with Isibeal Ballance producing and Mark Bell serving as commissioning editor. BBC Studios is handling global sales.
‘The Bride’s Chamber’ premieres this Christmas on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. An exact UK premiere date has not yet been announced.
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