Robert Powell whispers M.R. James into your ear like a Victorian gentleman who KNOWS something.
Season 1 • Episode 5
LatestMrs Anstruther wants to convert a neglected corner of her property into a rose garden. She tells her gardener to remove the old seat and an old post it was attached to. This unleashes disturbing visions for her and her husband.
Five partially-dramatized readings of classic M.R. James ghost stories by actor Robert Powell. Including "The Mezzotint", "The Ash-Tree", "The Rose Garden", "Wailing Well" and "Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad".
Acting
Powell's velvet voice makes academic terror feel intimate.
Direction
Partial dramatizations let imagination do the heavy lifting.
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
M.R. James invented the 'antiquarian ghost story'—academics poking around musty things they shouldn't. Christmas tradition in Britain meant reading these aloud by firelight.
Robert Powell had already played Jesus in 'Jesus of Nazareth'—perhaps the ultimate casting glow-up to 'man who reads ghost stories to make you pee slightly.'
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