This Thing of Darkness

BBC Radio 4
  • 4.8 (31)
  • 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. 11H AGO

    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

  2. FEB 3

    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

  3. JAN 27

    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
  4. The Dandelion and the Orchid

    01/03/2024

    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
  5. The Christmas Killers

    01/03/2024

    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
  6. A Pint with Pals

    01/03/2024

    A Pint with Pals

    by Frances Poet with monologues by Eileen Horne Part Three – A Pint with Pals 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 cope with the extreme grief behind bars? Dr Alex Bridges ….. Lolita Chakrabarti Anthony ….. Lorn Macdonald Finn ….. Reuben Joseph Twitch …. Brian Ferguson Simon ….. Shaun Mason Dani ….. Elysia Welch Dead Elvis….Andy Clark ‘Autopilot’ composed by Jill O'Sullivan & Lee and performed by Jill O'Sullivan & Louis Abbott as part of the Vox Liminis' Distant Voices project. 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
  7. The Elephant in the Room

    01/03/2024

    The Elephant in the Room

    by Frances Poet with monologues by Eileen Horne Part Two – The Elephant in the Room 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 much do childhood experiences impact the mind of a murderer? Dr Alex Bridges ….. Lolita Chakrabarti Anthony ….. Lorn Macdonald Finn ….. Reuben Joseph Twitch …. Brian Ferguson Simon ….. Shaun Mason Donna/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 Gaynor Macfarlane

    44 min
  8. A Dangerous Animal

    01/03/2024

    A Dangerous Animal

    by Frances Poet with monologues by Eileen Horne. Part One – A Dangerous Animal 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. Has Dr Bridges made a mistake in putting co-offenders together in Group therapy? Dr Alex Bridges ….. Lolita Chakrabarti Anthony ….. Lorn Macdonald Finn ….. Reuben Joseph Twitch …. Brian Ferguson Simon ….. Shaun Mason Donna ….. Karen Bartke Mental Health Nurse ….. 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 and Kirsty Williams

    44 min
See All (24)

4.8
out of 5
31 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
    24
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2026
  • Show Website
    This Thing of Darkness

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