This Thing of Darkness

BBC Radio 4
  • 4.8 (17)
  • DRAMA
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Award-winning drama exploring the psychological impact of murder. Inspired by a real forensic psychiatrist and psychotherapist and her work in secure prisons.

  1. 3 MAR

    5. Assoilized

    by Frances Poet with monologues by Eileen Horne. Part Five – Assoilized Season finale. Kathleen and her daughter take the final steps towards understanding what lead Kathleen to kill her mother. Whilst Alex and her team find themselves challenged in court. DR ALEX BRIDGES ….. Lolita Chakrabarti KATHLEEN ….. Maureen Beattie LINDSAY ….. Helen Mackay SANDRA ….. Lucianne McEvoy ADVOCATE FOR THE PURSUER ….. Beruce Khan ADVOCATE FOR THE DEFENDER ….. Adam McNamara Production Coordinators: Rosalind Gibson and Ellie Marsh Sound recording : Andy Hay and Fraser Jackson Sound Design: Fraser Jackson Series Consultant: Dr Gwen Adshead Series format created by Lucia Haynes, Audrey Gillan, Eileen Horne, Gaynor Macfarlane, Anita Vettesse and Kirsty Williams. A BBC Audio Scotland Production produced and directed by Kirsty Williams You’ll find details of help and support with dementia related issues at bbc.co.uk/actionline

    44 min

  2. 24 FEB

    4. Involuntary Breach

    by Frances Poet with monologues by Eileen Horne. Part Four – Involuntary Breach As the pressure builds within the secure unit housing Kathleen and Abi, Kathleen’s daughter returns to the table for family therapy. She’s about to come face to face with Abi who is intent on destruction. And in turn, Abi will face Alex who has a very different interpretation of Abi's apparent psychopathy. DR ALEX BRIDGES ….. Lolita Chakrabarti KATHLEEN ….. Maureen Beattie LINDSAY ….. Helen Mackay ABI ….. Anna Russell-Martin DANIEL ….. Nicholas Karimi Production Coordinators: Rosalind Gibson and Ellie Marsh Sound recording : Andy Hay and Fraser Jackson Sound Design: Fraser Jackson Series Consultant: Dr Gwen Adshead Series format created by Lucia Haynes, Audrey Gillan, Eileen Horne, Gaynor Macfarlane, Anita Vettesse and Kirsty Williams. A BBC Audio Scotland Production produced and directed by Kirsty Williams You’ll find details of help and support with dementia related issues at bbc.co.uk/actionline

    43 min

  3. 17 FEB

    3. Diagnosis

    by Frances Poet with monologues by Eileen Horne. Part Three – Diagnosis Dr Alex Bridges is an expert forensic psychiatrist and psychotherapist, assessing and treating perpetrators of serious crime. Kathleen's unpredictable behaviour in the secure unit is becoming a cause for concern. Dr Alex Bridges ….. Lolita Chakrabarti Kathleen ….. Maureen Beattie Lindsay ….. Helen Mackay Abi ….. Anna Russell-Martin Daniel ….. Nicholas Karimi Sandra ….. Lucianne McEvoy Lewis ….. Lee Hughes Production Coordinators: Rosalind Gibson and Ellie Marsh Sound recording : Andy Hay and Fraser Jackson Sound Design: Fraser Jackson Series Consultant: Dr Gwen Adshead Series format created by Lucia Haynes, Audrey Gillan, Eileen Horne, Gaynor Macfarlane, Anita Vettesse and Kirsty Williams. A BBC Audio Scotland Production produced by Kirsty Williams and directed by Gaynor Macfarlane You’ll find details of help and support with dementia related issues at bbc.co.uk/actionline

    44 min

  4. 10 FEB

    2. The Unsaid

    by Frances Poet with monologues by Eileen Horne. Part Two – The Unsaid Dr Alex Bridges is an expert forensic psychiatrist and psychotherapist, assessing and treating perpetrators of serious crime. Lindsay has agreed to take part in family therapy in the secure unit where Kathleen is being held. Unanswered questions and long-held resentments surface as Lindsay struggles to understand her mother's actions. Dr Alex Bridges ….. Lolita Chakrabarti Kathleen ….. Maureen Beattie Lindsay ….. Helen Mackay Daniel ….. Nicholas Karimi Production Coordinators: Rosalind Gibson and Ellie Marsh Sound recording : Andy Hay and Fraser Jackson Sound Design: Fraser Jackson Series Consultant: Dr Gwen Adshead Series format created by Lucia Haynes, Audrey Gillan, Eileen Horne, Gaynor Macfarlane, Anita Vettesse and Kirsty Williams. A BBC Audio Scotland Production produced by Kirsty Williams and directed by Gaynor Macfarlane

    44 min

  5. 3 FEB

    1. Admission

    by Frances Poet with monologues by Eileen Horne. Part One – Admission Dr Alex Bridges is an expert forensic psychiatrist and psychotherapist, assessing and treating perpetrators of serious crime. In this new 5 part series, she takes us into the world of secure units, explores the relationship between mothers and daughters and the impact of fatal violence on the lives it shatters. DR ALEX BRIDGES ….. Lolita Chakrabarti KATHLEEN ….. Maureen Beattie LINDSAY ….. Helen Mackay ABI ….. Anna Russell-Martin DANIEL ….. Nicholas Karimi SANDRA ….. Lucianne McEvoy LEWIS/SOLICITOR/AMBULANCE OPERATOR ….. Lee Hughes DC INGLES/SECURITY GUARD/NURSE ….. Kenny Blyth Production Coordinators: Rosalind Gibson and Ellie Marsh Sound recording : Andy Hay and Fraser Jackson Sound Design: Fraser Jackson Series Consultant: Dr Gwen Adshead Series format created by Lucia Haynes, Audrey Gillan, Eileen Horne, Gaynor Macfarlane, Anita Vettesse and Kirsty Williams. A BBC Audio Scotland Production produced and directed by Kirsty Williams

    44 min

  6. 27 JAN

    Introducing This Thing of Darkness S4

    More gripping drama inspired by a real forensic psychiatrist and psychotherapist and her work in secure hospitals.

    2 min
  7. The Dandelion and the Orchid

    03/01/2024

    The Dandelion and the Orchid

    by Frances Poet with monologues by Eileen Horne Part Five – THE DANDELION AND THE ORCHID Dr Alex Bridges is an expert forensic psychiatrist and psychotherapist, assessing and treating perpetrators of serious crime. This gripping drama explores the psychological impact of murder on perpetrators and follows the fortunes of participants in a Long Sentence therapy group. How thin is the line between love and hate? Dr Alex Bridges ….. Lolita Chakrabarti Anthony ….. Lorn Macdonald Finn ….. Reuben Joseph Dani ….. Elysia Welch Sound Design: Fraser Jackson Series Consultant: Dr Gwen Adshead Series format created by Lucia Haynes, Audrey Gillan, Eileen Horne, Gaynor Macfarlane, Anita Vettesse and Kirsty Williams. Thanks to Victoria Byrne, Barlinnie Prison, Vox Liminis Distant Voices Project and Prof Fergus McNeill. Produced by Gaynor Macfarlane and Kirsty Williams A BBC Scotland Production directed by Gaynor Macfarlane

    45 min
  8. The Christmas Killers

    03/01/2024

    The Christmas Killers

    by Frances Poet with monologues by Eileen Horne Part Four – The Christmas Killers Dr Alex Bridges is an expert forensic psychiatrist and psychotherapist, assessing and treating perpetrators of serious crime. This gripping drama explores the psychological impact of murder on teenage perpetrators and follows the fortunes of participants in a Long Sentence therapy group. How do you come to terms with your own capacity for violence? Dr Alex Bridges ….. Lolita Chakrabarti Anthony ….. Lorn Macdonald Finn ….. Reuben Joseph Twitch …. Brian Ferguson Simon ….. Shaun Mason The Governor….. Karen Bartke Dani ….. Elysia Welch Dead Elvis….Andy Clark Sound Design: Fraser Jackson Series Consultant: Dr Gwen Adshead Series format created by Lucia Haynes, Audrey Gillan, Eileen Horne, Gaynor Macfarlane, Anita Vettesse and Kirsty Williams. Thanks to Victoria Byrne, Barlinnie Prison, Vox Liminis Distant Voices Project and Prof Fergus McNeill. Produced by Gaynor Macfarlane and Kirsty Williams A BBC Scotland Production directed by Kirsty Williams

    44 min
See All (27)

Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Award-winning drama exploring the psychological impact of murder. Inspired by a real forensic psychiatrist and psychotherapist and her work in secure prisons.

Information

  • Creator
    BBC Radio 4
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2026
  • Show Website
    This Thing of Darkness

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