A York actor has been cast in Mark Gatiss’ annual BBC Ghost Story for Christmas.
For this year’s annual Christmas ghost story, Mark Gatiss has adapted Arthur Conan Doyle’s short story ‘Lot No. 249’ – a gothic horror tale that follows an Oxford student who delves into the secrets of Ancient Egypt.
And one of its stars will be York actor James Swanton.
Gatiss is no stranger to Conan Doyle’s work, as he is well-known for being the co-creator of BBC Sherlock, which adapted various Sherlock Holmes stories.
The special will air as part of the BBC’s winter schedule. It will star Kit Harington (Game of Thrones) and Freddie Fox (White House Farm).
It will also star York actor James.
This will be James’ first TV role, but he has made many appearances on stage and film.
He has performed in the West End with Sikes & Nancy, and his Ghost Stories for Christmas have become an annual staple at London’s Charles Dickens Museum. James has also appeared in films such as lockdown horror Host.
James has also previously worked with Mark Gatiss in the 70th anniversary live performance of The Quatermass Experiment at Alexandra Palace in London.
It hasn’t yet been confirmed who James will be playing in ‘Lot No. 249’ but he revealed on his Instagram that during filming he was ‘encased in the peerlessly grotesque designs of Oscar-winning Dave and Lou Elsey’ – so fingers crossed it’ll be someone (or someTHING) spooky…
There will also be a chance to catch James at work this Christmas – as he will once again be bringing his ghostly Dickensian tales to York Medical Society this festive season. More details on that to come.