Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace (Channel 4 2004, Matthew Holness, Richard Ayoade)

Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace was a faux sitcom – a comedy-horror made by Channel 4 in the 1980s (supposedly), but banned up until now. Set in Darkplace Hospital where the gates to hell have been opened and all sorts of bad things happen.

Fictionally, it was written by, directed by and starred Garth Marenghi who appears in interspersed interview sequences along with the rest of the “cast” about the making of it.

Each actor plays the fictional cast member in the modern “retrospective” interviews as well as their Darkplace character in the TV show episodes “from the 1980s”.

The character of Garth Marenghi had made his first impact with series creators Richard Ayoade and Matthew Holness winning the 2001 Perrier Award with the show Garth Marenghi’s Netherhead.

production details
UK / Channel 4 / 6×25 minute episodes / Broadcast 29 January – 5 March 2004 Thursdays at 10.35pm

Writers: Matthew Holness, Richard Ayoade / Producer: Charlie Hanson / Directors: Richard Ayoade, Charlie Hanson

cast
Matthew Holness as Rick/Garth
Alice Lowe as Liz/Madelaine
Richard Ayoade as Thornton/Dean
Matt Berry as Lucien/Todd