This Thing of Darkness

BBC Radio 4
  • 4.7 (31)
  • DRAMA
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
This Thing of Darkness

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

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 01/02/2024

    Introducing This Thing of Darkness S3

    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?

    1 min
  7. Part 7

    11/11/2021

    Part 7

    The winner of the British Podcast Award for Best Fiction 2021 returns with a gripping drama about trauma, obsession and why we harm the things we love. Part 7 of 7 Written by Lucia Haynes and Anita Vettesse with monologues by Eileen Horne. Dr Alex Bridges is an expert forensic psychiatrist and psychotherapist, assessing and treating perpetrators of violent crime. Desperation for answers, fear and love lead Ros, Paul and Sarah to a place where the truth will be revealed. Sometimes love is traumatic. Sometimes it’s fatal. Alex … Lolita Chakrabarti Sarah ….. Melody Grove Ros ….. Lois Chimimba Paul ….. Robert Jack Kelly ….. Veronica Leer Malcolm ….. Michael Nardone Rowena ….. Wendy Seager Series created by Lucia Haynes, Eileen Horne, Gaynor Macfarlane, Anita Vettesse and Kirsty Williams. Series consultant: Dr Gwen Adshead Produced by Gaynor Macfarlane and Kirsty Williams A BBC Scotland Production directed by Gaynor Macfarlane

    44 min
  8. Part 6

    11/11/2021

    Part 6

    The winner of the British Podcast Award for Best Fiction 2021 returns with a gripping drama about trauma, obsession and why we harm the things we love. Part 6 of 7 Written by Lucia Haynes with Anita Vettesse; monologues by Eileen Horne. Dr Alex Bridges is an expert forensic psychiatrist and psychotherapist, assessing and treating perpetrators of violent crime. Having realised Sarah poses an immediate threat to Paul’s family, Alex has to find a way to tell Paul she has betrayed his trust. With their baby’s life on the line, and their marriage in crisis, revelations come thick and fast. What else is she set to lose? Alex … Lolita Chakrabarti Ros ….. Lois Chimimba Sarah ….. Melody Grove Paul ….. Robert Jack Series created by Lucia Haynes, Eileen Horne, Gaynor Macfarlane, Anita Vettesse and Kirsty Williams. Series consultant: Dr Gwen Adshead Produced by Kirsty Williams and Gaynor Macfarlane A BBC Scotland Production directed by Kirsty Williams

    43 min
See All (19)

4.7
out of 5
31 Ratings

About

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

Information

  • Creator
    BBC Radio 4
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2024
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2024
  • Show Website
    This Thing of Darkness

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