Mark Gatiss reveals which Ghost Story for Christmas he wants to do next – as he calls for “extraordinary” BBC to be saved

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Mark Gatiss wrote ‘The Room in the Tower,’ the eighth in a series of Ghost Stories for Christmas. This tradition began in the 1970s with director and producer Lawrence Gordon Clark.

Mark Gatiss first experimented with this style in 2013 with ‘The Tractate Middoth,’ and has produced similar pieces every year since 2018. However, he’s expressed concern about the series’ long-term future, as the BBC’s governing charter ends in 2027 and the government is currently deciding what the broadcaster’s role will be moving forward.

Mark Gatiss described the show as a rare format – a single, standalone TV play – and expressed his gratitude that BBC Arts continues to support it, noting that this type of production is almost extinct. He made these comments at a screening of ‘The Room in the Tower’ at the BFI Southbank.

For me, the most important thing is keeping it going, and it’s always a challenge to secure funding each year. I’m really grateful the BBC continues to support it.

When asked how fans could help ensure more ‘Ghost Story for Christmas‘ specials are made, Mark Gatiss urged viewers to support the BBC. He described the BBC as a complex but vital institution, acknowledging its imperfections while emphasizing the constant threats it faces. Gatiss warned that losing the BBC would be a significant loss for everyone, considering the incredible value it provides for a relatively low cost.

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Inspired by a short story by E.F. Benson, “The Room in the Tower” centers on a man (Tobias Menzies) who is troubled by a repeating dream about a countryside house and a sinister presence within its tower.

Gatiss explained he’d dreamed of adapting this story for years. He remembered reading it as a child and being genuinely frightened, and it remained a top priority for him ever since.

Although the original story was published in 1912, the television version takes place in 1944. It adds a new opening scene where Roger (Menzies) shares his worries with a woman (Nancy Carroll) he meets while taking shelter from a bombing raid during the Blitz.

Gatiss expressed his fascination with the war era and its immediate consequences, pointing out that his detective series, Bookish, is also set during that time. He explained his idea to use the London Underground as a backdrop for the story, specifically during the Blitz.

The story is told from the perspective of a narrator who speaks directly to the reader, and realizing that helped everything fall into place.

If they decide to make another Ghost Story for Christmas in 2026, Mark Gatiss already has several spooky stories planned. He’s particularly keen on adapting ‘Casting the Runes’ by M.R. James, but it’s a long story – potentially lasting an hour or ninety minutes.

I really enjoy ‘Negotium Perambulans’ – it’s by E.F. Benson. And I often reread ‘Green Tea’ by J. Sheridan Le Fanu; there are so many good stories like that.

Don’t miss “A Ghost Story for Christmas: The Room in the Tower” on BBC Two this Christmas Eve, December 24th, at 10pm. For daily TV recommendations and features, download the TopMob: What to Watch app and add the show to your watchlist now!

Authors

Morgan JefferyDigital Editor

Morgan Jeffery leads the editorial content for TopMob across all its digital platforms as the Digital Editor. Before joining TopMob, he worked as a TV Editor at Digital Spy and has appeared as a television expert on programs like BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio 5 Live, and Sky Atlantic.

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2025-12-20 11:34