A follow-up to his 2010 series A History Of Horror, the one-off 90-minute special sees the Sherlock star explore the story of European horror, looking at how the genre came to reflect the continent’s turbulent 20th century.

Highlights include visits to the castle in Slovakia where FW Murnau shot Nosferatu (1922) and the hotel in Ostend, Belgium where Harry Kümel filmed his erotic vampire classic, Daughters Of Darkness (1971).

Gatiss commented: “What fascinates me about the story of European Horror is its sheer diversity, the sense that there’s a parallel, but entirely separate story to the English language one.

“Europe is so much the home of Horror, with its myths of vampires, werewolves, witchcraft and the undead, yet it’s like those myths were exported to Hollywood, leaving Europe the room to develop a new tradition as a way of processing its traumas, particularly the two world wars.

“Now I’m going in search of the stories behind the classics of European horror cinema – and meeting the people from across the continent who created the films I most admire.”

Mark Bell, BBC Commissioning Editor, Arts, added: “It is great to have Mark Gatiss back on BBC Four to complete his tour of the world of horror. He combines the enthusiasm of the fresh-faced fan with unparalleled knowledge and expertise. This film is ideal for anyone with curiosity, a strong constitution and a tongue in their cheek.”

Watch a clip from A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss…