WOMEN OF STONE: BBC ANNOUNCES NEW GHOST STORY FOR CHRISTMAS FROM MARK GATISS

BBC Two have commissioned another ghost story for Christmas from writer Mark Gatiss (Sherlock, Doctor Who).

This year's adaptation, Women Of Stone, stars Éanna Hardwicke as Jack Lorimer, Phoebe Horn as Laura Lorimer, Celia Imrie as Edith Nesbit, Monica Dolan as Mrs Dorman and Mawaan Rizwan as Dr. Zubin.

The synopsis reads: "In her final days, E Nesbit recounts the chilling tale of newlywed Victorians Jack and Laura. As they settle into a small cottage in a quiet village, they soon find their idyll overshadowed by the superstitious warnings of their housekeeper...

"And the legend of the two marble tomb effigies who are said to rise each year… and walk. Jack dismisses this is as mere folklore. But as the fateful night draws near, he makes a terrifying discovery. And back at the cottage, Laura is all alone..."

Mark Gatiss said (via Variety): "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."

Last year's ghost story was an adaptation of an Arthur Conan Doyle story and follows previous Christmas adaptations of The Mezzotint (2021) and Count Magnus (2022).

Lot No. 249 revolves around a group of Oxford students, one of whom undertakes research into the secrets of Ancient Egypt which become the talk of the college. Can these experiments truly breathe life to the horrifying bag of bones which is the mysterious Lot. No 249?

The 2023 special was led by Kit Harington (Game Of Thrones) alongside Freddie Fox (Slow Horses). Also in the cast were Colin Ryan, Kohn Heffernan, James Swanton, Jonathan Rigby and Andrew Horton.

More details will be revealed in due course.