The Sherlock co-creator and Doctor Who writer scares up some terrifying small screen recommendations.
Actor-writer-directorMark Gatissis a huge fan of dead things.
“I’ve always loved horror but ghosts were my favorite things.
The Mezzotint.Michael Carlo/BritBox
I’ve been reading ghost stories from a very early age.”
Over the last few years, Gatiss has adapted several spooky stories by author M.R.
James for the small screen under the umbrella titleA Ghost Story for Christmas.
His latest chiller of an offering isThe Mezzotintwhich premieres on BritBox Dec. 24.
“It’s a classic James story,” says Gatiss.
“It’s about a museum creator who buys an old form of engraving, a mezzatint.
It seems to be a very ordinary picture of a very ordinary house.
He says, ‘There isn’t any moonlight.’
Basically a long forgotten tragedy is happening again within the framework of the picture.”
The tale starsRory Kinnear, probably best known for playing Bill Tanner in the James Bond franchise.
“I’ve always loved Rory’s work,” says Gatiss.
“He’s such a dry wit, he’s such a funny man.
But also he does that kind of bottled panic and terror very brilliantly.
So he was just perfect.”
Below, Gatiss talks about his favorite spooky TV shows.
Read alone at your peril!
Doctor Who (1968-today)
MARK GATISS:I’m a lifelong fan.
So shop window dummies coming to life and big chemical works.
It looked like where I grew up.
I think that was part of the reason I was so frightened of it.
It felt very possible.
But perhaps you’re not!
Very funny and very moving, actually.
It’s so creepy.
They have this fantastic catchphrase.
Instead of saying, “Good morning,” everybody says, “Happy day.”
It’s like a proper proto-folk-horror.
Supernatural (1977)
GATISS:It was a series examining the roots of gothic horror.
Each episode would take a familiar legend, like Dracula, and sort of spun it on its head.
And basically, they’re not really puppets, they’recorpses.
It’s absolutely ghastly and really one of most weird things ever broadcast.
I highly recommend it.
I haven’t seen [Midnight Mass].
Steven Moffat’s son (Louis Oliver) is in it, so I’ve got to watch it.
I’m very excited about that, actually.
The streaming service will premiereThe MezzotintDec.
Watch the trailer forThe Mezzotintabove.
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