Gather around, because there’s nothing quite like a ghost story to spice up your holiday season—but this one might just leave you sleeping with the lights on. For decades, the BBC has quietly mastered the art of turning chilly December nights into spine-tingling affairs with its Ghost Story for Christmas series, and this year’s installment, The Room in the Tower, is no exception. Written by Mark Gatiss and starring the impeccably subtle Tobias Menzies, it’s a tale that whispers dread more than it screams it, making it all the more haunting.
Here’s the thing: ghost stories and Christmas go together like mistletoe and awkward family reunions. Since 1968—or maybe a tad earlier if you count Jonathan Miller’s Whistle and I’ll Come to You as the spooky pioneer—the BBC has sporadically, and now annually, delivered these eerie gems. Typically, Gatiss adapts Victorian or Edwardian short stories, giving us a half-hour escape from the holiday chaos while showcasing some of the finest actors in roles that are equal parts chilling and charming.
But here’s where it gets controversial: while the series often leans on M.R. James—Gatiss’s undisputed favorite—it’s also dipped into the works of Arthur Conan Doyle (Lot No. 249) and even E. Nesbit, yes, that E. Nesbit, long before The Railway Children made her a household name. This year, though, it’s E.F. Benson’s turn. Best known for the witty Mapp & Lucia series, Benson also penned what he called “spook stories” for magazines, and The Room in the Tower is one of his finest.
Set partly during World War II, the story centers on Roger Winstanley (Menzies), a man whose quiet demeanor masks a lifetime of recurring nightmares. While sheltering in a tube station during an air raid, Roger strikes up a conversation with Verity (Nancy Carroll). The small talk takes a turn when he asks her about dreams—specifically, whether hers have ever come true. This prompts Roger to recount a childhood nightmare he’s never been able to shake.
Since he was a schoolboy, Roger has dreamed of visiting his classmate Jack Stone’s house, where he’s greeted by Jack’s family—including the imposing Julia (Joanna Lumley), dressed in black. The scene is eerily silent until Julia declares, “Jack will show you to your room. I’ve given you the room in the tower.” What follows is a crescendo of inexplicable terror, with Roger always waking just before the nightmare’s climax. But as he tells Verity, the dream evolves: Julia disappears, yet her voice—and that chilling instruction—remain.
Fast forward to the present, and Roger finds himself in a seemingly innocuous situation: a game of tennis with his friend John Clinton (Ben Mansfield), followed by tea at John’s house. But here’s the twist—John’s house is eerily familiar. The family gathered on the lawn isn’t Jack Stone’s, but a cheerful, boisterous crowd. Relief is short-lived, though, when the matriarch (Polly Walker) announces, “Jack will show you to your room.” Wait—Jack? As in, John’s nickname? And yes, you guessed it: the room in the tower.
Benson’s clever twist, amplified by Gatiss’s masterful adaptation, makes this half-hour tale a perfect blend of atmosphere and unease. But is it a ghost story or something darker? Some might argue it veers into horror territory, which could make it a bit too intense for younger viewers. Still, like that harmless cousin at the Christmas table, the Gatiss ghost story is a welcome tradition—even if it occasionally sends shivers down your spine.
And this is the part most people miss: The Room in the Tower isn’t just about jumpscares; it’s about the lingering dread of the unknown. What do you think? Is this a ghost story that stays with you, or does it fall flat? Let’s debate it in the comments—and if you’re feeling brave, share your own unexplained nightmares. After all, ’tis the season to be spooky.
