A Victorian chill descends upon BBC Two this Christmas Eve with Mark Gatiss’s latest adaptation for A Ghost Story for Christmas, “Woman of Stone,” based on E. Nesbit’s unsettling tale. This year’s offering is, once again, a dark twist on festive cheer, exploring a newlywed couple’s descent into supernatural terror.
Jack and Laura, portrayed by Éanna Hardwicke and Phoebe Horn, arrive at their new home brimming with the joy of recent matrimony. Their idyllic existence, however, is soon shadowed by a local legend surrounding the village church – tales of knights rising from their marble effigies on Christmas Eve. While Laura grows increasingly uneasy, Jack, a man of science and reason, dismisses the stories as mere folklore. His skepticism leads him to the church on the fateful night, leaving Laura alone and vulnerable in their isolated home.
As a framing device, as Edith Nesbit (Celia Imrie) nears the end of her life, she recounts the unsettling story of ‘Woman of Stone.’ Monica Dolan and Mawaan Rizwan round out the cast.
As the clock ticks towards midnight on Christmas Eve, the line between reality and superstition blurs. Will Jack’s disbelief cost him dearly? Can Laura survive the night alone? “Woman of Stone” promises a haunting exploration of folklore, fear, and the fragility of happiness. Brought to life by Adorable Media for BBC Arts, “Woman of Stone” airs on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer on Tuesday, 24 December at 10:15 pm. Don’t miss this chilling tale of Christmas Eve terror.
