24. The Woman in Black

An A to Z of UK Television Drama

For the first time in this series Andy & Martin turn their attention to the ghost story genre with an examination of the the critically acclaimed 1989 Nigel Kneale adaptation of Susan Hill's novella The Woman in Black. This version sees Adrian Rawlins as Arthur Kidd, Bernard Hepton as Sam Toomey and Pauline Moran as the spooky title character. Martin watched during the day with the lights on until the bulb went (!) while Andy watched in the evening and despite not being a horror fan wanted more jump scares and creepy bits than were ultimately delivered. Along the way they discuss, the workings of Eel Marsh House's generator, the stage play, wax cartridges, a tin soldier and the extent of the Woman in Black's power and reach, and inevitably, of course, this TV film's famous shock ending and that pre-ad break scare. The question is do the pair think tis adaptation lives up to its reputation? Click play if you dare!!! Next Time: The XYY Man