The Bride's Chamber

The Bride's Chamber
Based on
"The Ghost in the Bride's Chamber"
by Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins
Written byMark Gatiss
Directed byMark Gatiss
Starring
Production
ProducerIsibeal Ballance
Running time30 minutes
Related
A Ghost Story for Christmas

The Bride’s Chamber is a short film which is part of the British supernatural anthology series A Ghost Story for Christmas. It is written and directed by Mark Gatiss and produced by Isibeal Ballance. It is based on the gothic horror story of "The Ghost in the Bride's Chamber" by Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins in 1858.

It stars Martin Freeman and Jim Broadbent and is set to broadcast on BBC Two in December 2026.

Premise

A suitor manipulates a young woman to claim her fortune but his actions have unforeseen consequences.

Cast

Production

Adapted by Mark Gattiss, Adorable Media is producing, with BBC Studios handling international distribution. Isibeal Ballance is the producer. The short film is adapted by the short story of the same name by Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins. The original story was part-inspired by real events in Chorley, Lancashire in 1857 prior to Dickens and Collin’s staying in the town during a tour of the Lake District. As well as part of A Ghost Story for Christmas, the short film coincides with a range of Charles Dickens-themed programming air across the BBC in December 2026 as part of the National Year of Reading.

The cast is led by Martin Freeman and Jim Broadbent alongside India Fowler, Adrian Scarborough, Joe Armstrong and Lewis Shephard.

Principal photography took place on location in Ingatestone Hall, in Essex, England, in 2026 with first-look images released to the media in October 2026.

Broadcast

It will broadcast in the UK on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer in December 2026.

References

  1. ↑ O'Grady, Sean (5 October 2026). "Martin Freeman undergoes dramatic transformation for new BBC drama". The Independent. Retrieved 4 November 2026.
  2. 1 2 Whittock, Jesse (5 October 2026). "Martin Freeman & Jim Broadbent Set For Dickensian Christmas Ghost Story 'The Bride's Chamber' At The BBC". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 5 October 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 Leigh, Janet A (5 October 2026). "First look at Martin Freeman's dramatic transformation for BBC period drama with Happy Valley star". Digital Spy. Retrieved 5 October 2026.
  4. ↑ Moffitt, Oliver (30 October 2022). "The great Charles Dickens ghost stories that was inspired by a Chorley murderer". Lancs Live. Retrieved 5 October 2026.
  5. ↑ "Martin Freeman and Jim Broadbent star in a Dickensian Ghost Story for Christmas 2026 for BBC Arts". BBC News. 5 October 2026. Retrieved 4 November 2026.