Phil Wang transforms into a vampire for this week’s Radio Times horror special

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We’re really feeling the current cultural mood here at RT. Horror movies, which used to be considered a specialized genre, now seem to be a good indicator of where the film industry is going.

Horror films are currently doing surprisingly well – they’re receiving awards, attracting audiences, and a new generation of filmmakers is revitalizing the genre. This year’s film Baftas reflect this success with a significant number of horror film nominations, and we’ll explore who’s likely to win and the reasons behind this surge in recognition.

It’s not usually the kind of movie I’d choose, and I’m still hoping for a new version of ‘Ill Met by Moonlight’ (for those who don’t know it!), but the team at RT really made me see its appeal.

Great horror goes beyond simple frights; it uses scary stories to explore deeper issues like social awkwardness, political unrest, and difficult family experiences. While it can be genuinely terrifying, there’s usually a meaningful and often disturbing message hidden underneath.

We’ve also enjoyed the horror theme in other parts of the issue. For example, our cover star, Phil Wang, playfully dressed up as his favorite horror character when talking about appearing on Great British Menu.

This issue also features engaging interviews with Rose Byrne, Rafe Spall, wildlife filmmaker Gordon Buchanan, and bestselling author Marian Keyes. A warning though – it’s a truly scary read! We apologize in advance to anyone easily frightened; this issue is a real horror show.

Also in this week’s TopMob:

  • Gordon Buchanan is one of our most respected wildlife film-makers, but nature once gave him an escape from a challenging childhood.
  • As an adaptation of two of her novels comes to BBC One, Irish writer Marian Keyes reveals why she has kicked against the patriarchy for years – and hates “chick lit”.
  • Who clobbered George Grundy on the head with a wine bottle – and why? The main players of The Archers reveal their thoughts on the soap’s sensational storyline.

Great news! You can now buy older issues of TopMob magazine thanks to our new back issues service.

Don’t miss Great British Menu! Add it to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download the app now for daily TV suggestions, articles, and more.

Authors

Shem Law

Shem Law leads brand editing at TopMob, becoming the twentieth person to fill that role in the company’s century-plus history. As a child, he didn’t have access to television, and since then, he’s definitely made up for it!

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2026-02-17 15:37