Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith return with a special festive film from their award-winning anthology series Inside No. 9. Joined by guest stars Shobna Gulati and Simon Callow, they serve up a disturbingly spooky Christmas story set in a mysterious church. It has been confirmed by the BBC that it will be broadcast on Thursday, December 22 at 9pm.
The Bones of St. Nicholas
Dr. Jasper Parkway has booked an overnight stay in a reputedly haunted church on Christmas Eve. However, much to his dismay, he is soon joined by unwanted guests Pierce and Posy, who have even brought their own sleeping bags. Together with the eccentric warden Dick, it doesn’t look like Jasper is going to be lonely this Christmas. Even though sherry, biscuits and Yuletide phantoms are on offer, why is Jasper so keen to be left to his own devices?
Inside No. 9 is produced by BBC Studios Comedy Productions for BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. It was written by Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton, directed by George Kane and produced by Kim Crowther. The Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Gregor Sharp. The Executive Producers for BBC Studios are Adam Tandy and Josh Cole.
League of Gentlemen fans may also enjoy a couple of things involving Mark Gatiss. A Ghost Story for Christmas: Count Magnus (pictured) based on M.R James’ short story and adapted and directed for television by Mark Gatiss. Count Magnus is the latest ghost story for Christmas from Mark Gatiss on the BBC, following The Mezzotint in 2021, Martin’s Close in 2019, The Dead Room in 2018, The Tractate Middoth in 2013 and Crooked House in 2008.
Mark Gatiss says: “It’s an absolute thrill to be bringing one of M.R. James’ most beloved tales to life for this year’s ghost story. The Count casts a long shadow and I hope we can all relish being in his thrall this Christmas!”
Set in 1863, Count Magnus tells the tale of the inquisitive Mr. Wraxhall who becomes fascinated by the long-dead founder of a Swedish family, who once made a strange journey to the Holy Land - on most unholy business. Wraxhall is drawn ever deeper into Count Magnus' dark world and discovers that the dreaded aristocrat may not lie easy in his tomb.
Starring Jason Watkins (The Crown, The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies) as Mr Wraxhall, alongside MyAnna Buring (The Witcher, The Responder) as Froken de la Gardie, Krister Henriksson (Wallander, The Fall) as the Narrator, Max Bremer (Bordertown) as Nielsen, Allan Corduner (Topsy-Turvy, Homeland) as the Deacon, and Jamal Ajala (The Witcher) as Gustav.
And Mark Gatiss (Sherlock, Dracula, Doctor Who) stars as Jacob Marley in this stage production of A Christmas Carol - his own retelling of Dickens’ classic winter ghost story, A Christmas Carol - alongside Nicholas Farrell (Chariots of Fire, The Crown, The Iron Lady) as Scrooge. Directed for the stage by Adam Penford, this powerful tale of life, love, loss and redemption is as relevant today as when it was first published 179 years ago.
It’s a cold Christmas Eve and mean-spirited miser Ebenezer Scrooge (Nicholas Farrell) has an unexpected visit from the spirit of his former business partner Jacob Marley (Mark Gatiss). Bound in chains as punishment for a lifetime of greed, the unearthly figure explains it isn’t too late for Scrooge to change his miserly ways in order to escape the same fate, but first he’ll have to face three more eerie encounters.
