The BBC has announced The Mezzotint, a ghost story for Christmas based on the M. R. James short story and adapted for television by Mark Gatiss

The Mezzotint is the latest ghost story for Christmas from Mark Gatiss on the BBC, following Martin’s Close in 2019, The Dead Room in 2018, The Tractate Middoth in 2013, and Crooked House in 2008. All were a ratings hit, with Martin’s Close becoming BBC Four’s most watched programme of 2019, with 1.5 million viewers (30-day consolidated figure).

Mark Gatiss says:

“It’s delightful to be bringing a little seasonal unease to the nation once again and this famous M. R. James story is just the ticket. We’ve assembled a top-notch team to bring this eerie mystery – and a certain enigmatic old picture – to life.”

The cast (left to right/ top to bottom in the picture) includes: Rory Kinnear (Years & Years, No Time To Die) as Williams, alongside Robert Bathurst (Cold Feet, Downton Abbey) as Garwood, and Frances Barber (Doctor Who, Semi-Detached) as Mrs Ambrigail. The show also stars John Hopkins (Poldark, Lucky Man), Emma Cunniffe (Roadkill, Unforgotten), Nikesh Patel (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Indian Summers), and Tommaso Di Vincenzo (Dracula).

Filming wrapped recently in the South of England. The Mezzotint will air this Christmas on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer, running for 30 minutes. You can read the full announcement on the BBC.