This year's episode of A Ghost Story for Christmas, the BBC's long-running festive horror anthology series, will be an adaptation of E. Nesbit’s 1887 story Man-Size in Marble.
Mark Gatiss (Doctor Who, Sherlock) will adapt the episode, titled ‘Woman of Stone', which follows Victorian newlyweds Jack and Laura:
“The couple are settling into a small cottage in a quiet village when their idyll is overshadowed by the superstitious warnings of their housekeeper, Mrs Dorman, and the legend of the village church’s tomb effigies – a pair of marble knights who are said to rise from their slabs on Christmas Eve […]
Jack dismisses this is as mere folklore. But as the fateful night draws near, he feels drawn to the church, leaving Laura at home, all alone.”
Deadline report that ‘Woman of Stone' stars Éanna Hardwicke (The Sixth Commandment) as Jack Lorimer, Phoebe Horn (The Motive and the Cue) as Laura Lorimer, Celia Imrie (The Thursday Murder Club) as Edith Nesbit, Monica Dolan (Sherwood) as Mrs Dorman and Mawaan Rizwan (Juice) as Dr. Zubin.
Originally broadcast between 1971 and 1978, Gatiss has helmed seven episodes of the series since its 2005 revival, including last year's ‘Lot 249', which drew in 1.75 million viewers on Christmas Eve.
Speaking with Variety, Gatiss expressed his excitement for this particular episode:
“‘Woman of Stone’ is an adaptation of E Nesbit’s ‘Man-Size in Marble’ – the very first ghost story I ever read! […] I’ve always wanted to adapt it and am immensely pleased with the way it’s turned out. As ever, a phenomenal cast and crew have worked tirelessly to bring some festive frights to the nation’s fireside and I’m particularly pleased to be celebrating the work of the great and underrated Edith Nesbit.”
A Ghost Story for Christmas: Woman of Stone doesn't yet have a release date, but traditionally the show airs on Christmas Eve.
