The Dark Is Rising

BBC World Service
  • 4.6 (25)
  • DRAMA
  • SERIES
The Dark Is Rising

A young boy’s time-travelling fight against ancient evil. When the Dark comes rising, who will hold it back? This dramatisation of Susan Cooper’s cult novel is a magical journey into the supernatural.

  1. EPISODE 1

    Introducing The Dark Is Rising

    Fighting against evil in a time-travelling midwinter family drama. A gripping journey through a frozen landscape... and an unending epic battle against the forces of “the Dark”. On midwinter’s eve, 11-year-old Will Stanton discovers he is an ancient being and guardian of “the Light”. This eerie drama is best experienced on headphones for a unique, immersive ‘binaural’ experience. The 12-part adaptation of Susan Cooper’s cult novel has its world premiere on 19 December 2022 and drops daily from 21 December. When the dark comes rising, who will hold it back? #TheDarkIsRising

    7 min

  2. EPISODE 2

    1. Midwinter Eve

    This night will be bad. Tomorrow will be beyond all imagining. December 20, the day before Will’s 11th birthday, and all he wants is snow. But something is not right. On his way to Dawson’s Farm, a hunched old man scuttles into trees, the animals are disturbed. And then Will receives a present. It is a Sign. Listen on headphones for 3D immersive sound. #TheDarkIsRising Will Stanton: Noah Alexander John Smith/Paul Stanton/Mr Beaumont: Thomas Arnold Bus Conductor/Jamaican Old One/James Stanton: Danny Bailey Stephen Stanton: Simon Bubb Mrs Stanton/Mrs Pettigrew/Dr Armstrong: Amanda Hadingue The Walker/Hawkin: Toby Jones Narrator: Simon McBurney The Rider/Mr Mithothin/Mr Stanton/Farmer Dawson: Tim McMullan Merriman: Paul Rhys Maggie Barnes/Mary Stanton: Natasha Stone The Lady/Miss Greythorne: Harriet Walter Herne: Miles Yekinni The chorister: Vinay Singh Radio announcer: Samuel West Soundscape design: Gareth Fry Music: Josh Sneesby Original songs by Johnny Flynn, Luisa Gerstein and Héloïse Tunstall-Behrens Adapted for audio by Robert Macfarlane and Simon McBurney Dramaturg: James Yeatman Director: Simon McBurney Producers: Catherine Bailey and Tim Bell A Complicité and Catherine Bailey Production for BBC World Service Commissioned by Simon Pitts

    18 min

  3. EPISODE 3

    2. Midwinter Day

    Will awakes in a different time, centuries before his own. Where a familiar farm stood there is a huge forest, blanketed in snow. The Rider, a terrifying agent of the Dark, tries to kidnap him but Will is rescued by a white horse and taken to a pair of carved oak doors set on a hillside. Listen on headphones for 3D immersive sound. #TheDarkIsRising Will Stanton: Noah Alexander John Smith/Paul Stanton/Mr Beaumont: Thomas Arnold Bus Conductor/Jamaican Old One/James Stanton: Danny Bailey Stephen Stanton: Simon Bubb Mrs Stanton/Mrs Pettigrew/Dr Armstrong: Amanda Hadingue The Walker/Hawkin: Toby Jones Narrator: Simon McBurney The Rider/Mr Mithothin/Mr Stanton/Farmer Dawson: Tim McMullan Merriman: Paul Rhys Maggie Barnes/Mary Stanton: Natasha Stone The Lady/Miss Greythorne: Harriet Walter Herne: Miles Yekinni The chorister: Vinay Singh Radio announcer: Samuel West Soundscape design: Gareth Fry Music: Josh Sneesby Original songs by Johnny Flynn, Luisa Gerstein and Héloïse Tunstall-Behrens Adapted for audio by Robert Macfarlane and Simon McBurney Dramaturg: James Yeatman Director: Simon McBurney Producers: Catherine Bailey and Tim Bell A Complicité and Catherine Bailey Production for BBC World Service Commissioned by Simon Pitts

    18 min

  4. EPISODE 4

    3. The Sign-Seeker

    Will learns of his task: To find the six Signs of the Light before the Dark destroys them. He discovers an unexpected power and learns he is an Old One, whose duty is to fight the rising strength of the Dark across the centuries. Listen on headphones for 3D immersive sound. #TheDarkIsRising Will Stanton: Noah Alexander John Smith/Paul Stanton/Mr Beaumont: Thomas Arnold Bus Conductor/Jamaican Old One/James Stanton: Danny Bailey Stephen Stanton: Simon Bubb Mrs Stanton/Mrs Pettigrew/Dr Armstrong: Amanda Hadingue The Walker/Hawkin: Toby Jones Narrator: Simon McBurney The Rider/Mr Mithothin/Mr Stanton/Farmer Dawson: Tim McMullan Merriman: Paul Rhys Maggie Barnes/Mary Stanton: Natasha Stone The Lady/Miss Greythorne: Harriet Walter Herne: Miles Yekinni The chorister: Vinay Singh Radio announcer: Samuel West Soundscape design: Gareth Fry Music: Josh Sneesby Original songs by Johnny Flynn, Luisa Gerstein and Héloïse Tunstall-Behrens Adapted for audio by Robert Macfarlane and Simon McBurney Dramaturg: James Yeatman Director: Simon McBurney Producers: Catherine Bailey and Tim Bell A Complicité and Catherine Bailey Production for BBC World Service Commissioned by Simon Pitts

    18 min

  5. EPISODE 5

    4. The Walker on the Old Way

    On an ancient path Will tries his powers for the first time and the Dark appears - in the form of a farm girl who casts a spell. He is powerless to resist as she takes the prized Signs, laughing. Listen on headphones for 3D immersive sound. #TheDarkIsRising Will Stanton: Noah Alexander John Smith/Paul Stanton/Mr Beaumont: Thomas Arnold Bus Conductor/Jamaican Old One/James Stanton: Danny Bailey Stephen Stanton: Simon Bubb Mrs Stanton/Mrs Pettigrew/Dr Armstrong: Amanda Hadingue The Walker/Hawkin: Toby Jones Narrator: Simon McBurney The Rider/Mr Mithothin/Mr Stanton/Farmer Dawson: Tim McMullan Merriman: Paul Rhys Maggie Barnes/Mary Stanton: Natasha Stone The Lady/Miss Greythorne: Harriet Walter Herne: Miles Yekinni The chorister: Vinay Singh Radio announcer: Samuel West Soundscape design: Gareth Fry Music: Josh Sneesby Original songs by Johnny Flynn, Luisa Gerstein and Héloïse Tunstall-Behrens Adapted for audio by Robert Macfarlane and Simon McBurney Dramaturg: James Yeatman Director: Simon McBurney Producers: Catherine Bailey and Tim Bell A Complicité and Catherine Bailey Production for BBC World Service Commissioned by Simon Pitts

    18 min

  6. EPISODE 6

    5. The Book of Gramarye

    It is Christmas Eve and Will has been transported to a different time, 1875. Hawkin risks his life to break a spell and free a tome of ancient knowledge. The book speaks of hidden things - of real magic, of rocks and trees and stars. Listen on headphones for 3D immersive sound. #TheDarkIsRising Will Stanton: Noah Alexander John Smith/Paul Stanton/Mr Beaumont: Thomas Arnold Bus Conductor/Jamaican Old One/James Stanton: Danny Bailey Stephen Stanton: Simon Bubb Mrs Stanton/Mrs Pettigrew/Dr Armstrong: Amanda Hadingue The Walker/Hawkin: Toby Jones Narrator: Simon McBurney The Rider/Mr Mithothin/Mr Stanton/Farmer Dawson: Tim McMullan Merriman: Paul Rhys Maggie Barnes/Mary Stanton: Natasha Stone The Lady/Miss Greythorne: Harriet Walter Herne: Miles Yekinni The chorister: Vinay Singh Radio announcer: Samuel West Soundscape design: Gareth Fry Music: Josh Sneesby Original songs by Johnny Flynn, Luisa Gerstein and Héloïse Tunstall-Behrens Adapted for audio by Robert Macfarlane and Simon McBurney Dramaturg: James Yeatman Director: Simon McBurney Producers: Catherine Bailey and Tim Bell A Complicité and Catherine Bailey Production for BBC World Service Commissioned by Simon Pitts

    18 min

  7. EPISODE 7

    6. The Opening of the Present

    It is Christmas Eve 1875 and Hawkin turns to the Dark. Will hasn’t a moment to lose and goes back to his own time to find the Third Sign. His family sing carols, oblivious to danger, and Will is able to protect them with a spell before The Rider can strike. But at home on Christmas morning there is a knock at the door. Listen on headphones for 3D immersive sound. #TheDarkIsRising Will Stanton: Noah Alexander John Smith/Paul Stanton/Mr Beaumont: Thomas Arnold Bus Conductor/Jamaican Old One/James Stanton: Danny Bailey Stephen Stanton: Simon Bubb Mrs Stanton/Mrs Pettigrew/Dr Armstrong: Amanda Hadingue The Walker/Hawkin: Toby Jones Narrator: Simon McBurney The Rider/Mr Mithothin/Mr Stanton/Farmer Dawson: Tim McMullan Merriman: Paul Rhys Maggie Barnes/Mary Stanton: Natasha Stone The Lady/Miss Greythorne: Harriet Walter Herne: Miles Yekinni The chorister: Vinay Singh Radio announcer: Samuel West Soundscape design: Gareth Fry Music: Josh Sneesby Original songs by Johnny Flynn, Luisa Gerstein and Héloïse Tunstall-Behrens Adapted for audio by Robert Macfarlane and Simon McBurney Dramaturg: James Yeatman Director: Simon McBurney Producers: Catherine Bailey and Tim Bell A Complicité and Catherine Bailey Production for BBC World Service Commissioned by Simon Pitts

    17 min

  8. EPISODE 8

    7. The Besieging

    Christmas Day. The snowfall is intense as Will walks. The Dark has surrounded the church. Will fights back and discovers a Fourth Sign. On the journey home, a rook leads Will to a man freezing in the snow. Listen on headphones for 3D immersive sound. #TheDarkIsRising Will Stanton: Noah Alexander John Smith/Paul Stanton/Mr Beaumont: Thomas Arnold Bus Conductor/Jamaican Old One/James Stanton: Danny Bailey Stephen Stanton: Simon Bubb Mrs Stanton/Mrs Pettigrew/Dr Armstrong: Amanda Hadingue The Walker/Hawkin: Toby Jones Narrator: Simon McBurney The Rider/Mr Mithothin/Mr Stanton/Farmer Dawson: Tim McMullan Merriman: Paul Rhys Maggie Barnes/Mary Stanton: Natasha Stone The Lady/Miss Greythorne: Harriet Walter Herne: Miles Yekinni The chorister: Vinay Singh Radio announcer: Samuel West Soundscape design: Gareth Fry Music: Josh Sneesby Original songs by Johnny Flynn, Luisa Gerstein and Héloïse Tunstall-Behrens Adapted for audio by Robert Macfarlane and Simon McBurney Dramaturg: James Yeatman Director: Simon McBurney Producers: Catherine Bailey and Tim Bell A Complicité and Catherine Bailey Production for BBC World Service Commissioned by Simon Pitts

    17 min
See All (13)

Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
25 Ratings

About

A young boy’s time-travelling fight against ancient evil. When the Dark comes rising, who will hold it back? This dramatisation of Susan Cooper’s cult novel is a magical journey into the supernatural.

Information

  • Creator
    BBC World Service
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2022
  • Show Website
    The Dark Is Rising

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