Renowned actor
John Hurt (Alien, The Elephant Man) is to star in a modern update of
M.R James' seminal ghost story "Oh Whistle And I'll Come To You, My Lad", playing an academic who encounters a ghost on a remote English beach and finds himself haunted by the apparition. Whistle And I'll Come To You is being adapted by writer
Neil Cross (Spooks, Luther) for the BBC. John Hurt:
"Oh Whistle And I'll Come To You, My Lad is M.R James' most famous ghost story and I'm thrilled to be involved in this contemporary re- working of it, particularly as I've never done a ghost story before and I love to have new territory to walk. It's also a great pleasure to be working with the BBC again."
Neil Cross:
"For reasons I don't quite understand, I always enjoyed tales that terrified me. I grew up loving ghost stories, classic and modern. But I never got to tell a ghost story... until the BBC offered me the opportunity. Whistle And I'll Come To You is a contemporary re-telling of one of the greatest, most beloved tales of the supernatural ever told. With the flawless casting of John Hurt and Gemma Jones, it aims to break the heart as it chills the soul."
The spooky special will be directed by
Andy de Emmony (West Is West, God On Trial), and co-stars
Gemma Jones (Bridget Jones's Diary, Spooks) and Leslie Sharp (Doctor Who, Little Voice). Filming is scheduled to begin later this month for a Christmas broadcast. James' classic short story was previously adapted by the BBC for a 1968 drama starring Michael Horden. That version was voted #83 in Channel 4's 100 Greatest Scary Moments back in 2003. You can watch the '60s version below: