Dame Joanna Lumley has undergone a startling transformation for a chilling new BBC drama. The first look at the actress in 'A Ghost Story for Christmas: The Room in the Tower' reveals a world away from her usual glamorous roles, presenting a stern and spectral figure.
A Festive Fright on BBC Two
The upcoming ghost story, an adaptation of E.F. Benson's novel by Mark Gatiss, is scheduled to air on BBC Two at 10pm on Christmas Eve. Set in the inter-war years, the drama boasts a stellar cast including Tobias Menzies, Nancy Carroll, Ben Mansfield, and Polly Walker alongside the 79-year-old Lumley.
The plot centres on Roger Winstanley, a man haunted for 15 years by a recurring nightmare. He dreams of receiving an invitation to stay in an acquaintance's house, where an unseen terror lurks and the dream's characters age in real time. The boundary between nightmare and reality shatters when an invitation to the dreaded room in the tower becomes terrifyingly real.
In a sneak peek, Lumley cuts a starkly different figure to her alter-ego, Felicity Sanderson, in the BBC comedy Amandaland. She is seen with a stern gaze, wrapped in a floral-patterned shawl, her hair in grey waves.
From Spooks to Sitcom: A Festive Double Bill
This eerie performance will be swiftly followed by a return to comedy for Lumley. The Amandaland Christmas Special, featuring her as Felicity, will air on BBC One at 9:15pm on Christmas Day.
The special sees Lucy Punch's character Amanda, along with her mother Felicity and friends, visiting her aunt Joan's country house, played by Jennifer Saunders. The trailer hints at typical festive chaos, including regifted presents and secret conversations.
Amandaland, a spin-off from the hit series Motherland, launched on BBC One in February and has proven a significant success, averaging 6.4 million views. Despite mixed reviews from some fans comparing it to the original, its popularity secured a second series, with the Christmas episode leading the way.
Behind the Scenes of the Spectral Story
Joanna Lumley, who claims to have had her own supernatural experiences involving sudden coldness and unexplained footsteps, found the shoot fascinating. "Being part of someone else’s dream is fascinating. And of course the ghastly reveal at the end," she said. "It was shot in no time at all but looks wonderful."
Creator Mark Gatiss, known for several other A Ghost Story for Christmas adaptations, described the source material as one of his favourite E.F. Benson 'spook stories'. He summarised the core premise: "A nameless man tells the story of a dream which has recurred to him since childhood... But the dream doesn't stay a dream!"
This festive season offers a stark contrast in television from one of Britain's beloved actresses: a haunting, psychological ghost story followed by a comedic take on chaotic family Christmas.
Viewers can watch 'A Ghost Story for Christmas - The Room in the Tower' on BBC Two and iPlayer from 10pm on 24 December. The 'Amandaland' Christmas Special airs on BBC One and iPlayer at 9:15pm on 25 December.
