Interestingly, we first got a sneak peek inside The Mezzotint back in February, head below for more on that, but today we step closer to Christmas, as it’s time for a first look at Rory Kinnear as Williams, Robert Bathurst as Garwood, Frances Barber as Mrs Ambrigail and Nikesh Patel as Nisbet….
Cr. Michael Carlo 
February 2022: Well, this sounds eerily fun!
Coming to BBC Two and the BBC iPlayer, the team have announced that The Mezzotint, a ghost story for Christmas based on the M.R. James short story and adapted for television by Mark Gatiss, will be waiting for you… when the time comes. Described as a haunting standalone drama, filming recently wrapped in the South of the England, and it’ll air this December:
“For sale: Interesting mezzotint: View of a manor-house, early part of last century.”
It’s 1922 and in the heart of an old English college, Edward Williams receives an engraving of an unknown country house. An imposing facade. A sweeping lawn. And, just perhaps, something else…?
Starring Rory Kinnear stars as Williams, Robert Bathurst as Garwood, and Frances Barber as Mrs Ambrigail. The Mezzotint also stars John Hopkins, Emma Cunniffe, Nikesh Patel, and Tommaso Di Vincenzo. This will be the latest ghost story for Christmas from Mark Gatiss on the BBC, following Martin’s Close in 2019, The Dead Room in 2018, The Tractate Middoth in 2013, and Crooked House in 2008. All were a ratings hit, with Martin’s Close becoming BBC Four’s most watched programme of 2019, with 1.5 million viewers (30-day consolidated figure). He had this to say:
“It’s delightful to be bringing a little seasonal unease to the nation once again and this famous M. R. James story is just the ticket. We’ve assembled a top-notch team to bring this eerie mystery – and a certain enigmatic old picture – to life”.
Piers Wenger, Director of BBC Drama, says:
“I’m delighted that Mark Gatiss has assembled such an outstanding cast to conjure up another unmissable ghost story for BBC Two and iPlayer this Christmas. The Mezzotint is classic M.R. James, and the perfect slice of horror to thrill us this festive season.”
critical popcorn 