This Thing of Darkness

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Drama
**This Thing of Darkness**

Award-winning drama exploring the psychological impact of murder. Inspired by a real forensic psychiatrist and psychotherapist and her work in secure prisons.

Latest Episodes:

5. Assoilized Mar 03, 2026

Show notes

by Frances Poet with monologues by Eileen Horne.

Part Five – Assoilized

Season finale.

Kathleen and her daughter take the final steps towards understanding what lead Kathleen to kill her mother.

Whilst Alex and her team find themselves challenged in court.

DR ALEX BRIDGES ….. Lolita Chakrabarti KATHLEEN ….. Maureen Beattie LINDSAY ….. Helen Mackay SANDRA ….. Lucianne McEvoy ADVOCATE FOR THE PURSUER ….. Beruce Khan ADVOCATE FOR THE DEFENDER ….. Adam McNamara

Production Coordinators: Rosalind Gibson and Ellie Marsh Sound recording : Andy Hay and Fraser Jackson Sound Design: Fraser Jackson

Series Consultant: Dr Gwen Adshead

Series format created by Lucia Haynes, Audrey Gillan, Eileen Horne, Gaynor Macfarlane, Anita Vettesse and Kirsty Williams.

A BBC Audio Scotland Production produced and directed by Kirsty Williams

You’ll find details of help and support with dementia related issues at bbc.co.uk/actionline

4. Involuntary Breach Feb 24, 2026

Show notes

by Frances Poet with monologues by Eileen Horne.

Part Four – Involuntary Breach

As the pressure builds within the secure unit housing Kathleen and Abi, Kathleen’s daughter returns to the table for family therapy. She’s about to come face to face with Abi who is intent on destruction.

And in turn, Abi will face Alex who has a very different interpretation of Abi's apparent psychopathy.

DR ALEX BRIDGES ….. Lolita Chakrabarti KATHLEEN ….. Maureen Beattie LINDSAY ….. Helen Mackay ABI ….. Anna Russell-Martin DANIEL ….. Nicholas Karimi

Production Coordinators: Rosalind Gibson and Ellie Marsh Sound recording : Andy Hay and Fraser Jackson Sound Design: Fraser Jackson

Series Consultant: Dr Gwen Adshead

Series format created by Lucia Haynes, Audrey Gillan, Eileen Horne, Gaynor Macfarlane, Anita Vettesse and Kirsty Williams.

A BBC Audio Scotland Production produced and directed by Kirsty Williams

You’ll find details of help and support with dementia related issues at bbc.co.uk/actionline

3. Diagnosis Feb 17, 2026

Show notes

by Frances Poet with monologues by Eileen Horne.

Part Three – Diagnosis

Dr Alex Bridges is an expert forensic psychiatrist and psychotherapist, assessing and treating perpetrators of serious crime.

Kathleen's unpredictable behaviour in the secure unit is becoming a cause for concern.

Dr Alex Bridges ….. Lolita Chakrabarti Kathleen ….. Maureen Beattie Lindsay ….. Helen Mackay Abi ….. Anna Russell-Martin Daniel ….. Nicholas Karimi Sandra ….. Lucianne McEvoy Lewis ….. Lee Hughes

Production Coordinators: Rosalind Gibson and Ellie Marsh Sound recording : Andy Hay and Fraser Jackson Sound Design: Fraser Jackson

Series Consultant: Dr Gwen Adshead

Series format created by Lucia Haynes, Audrey Gillan, Eileen Horne, Gaynor Macfarlane, Anita Vettesse and Kirsty Williams.

A BBC Audio Scotland Production produced by Kirsty Williams and directed by Gaynor Macfarlane

You’ll find details of help and support with dementia related issues at bbc.co.uk/actionline

2. The Unsaid Feb 10, 2026

Show notes

by Frances Poet with monologues by Eileen Horne.

Part Two – The Unsaid

Dr Alex Bridges is an expert forensic psychiatrist and psychotherapist, assessing and treating perpetrators of serious crime.

Lindsay has agreed to take part in family therapy in the secure unit where Kathleen is being held. Unanswered questions and long-held resentments surface as Lindsay struggles to understand her mother's actions.

Dr Alex Bridges ….. Lolita Chakrabarti Kathleen ….. Maureen Beattie Lindsay ….. Helen Mackay Daniel ….. Nicholas Karimi

Production Coordinators: Rosalind Gibson and Ellie Marsh Sound recording : Andy Hay and Fraser Jackson Sound Design: Fraser Jackson

Series Consultant: Dr Gwen Adshead

Series format created by Lucia Haynes, Audrey Gillan, Eileen Horne, Gaynor Macfarlane, Anita Vettesse and Kirsty Williams.

A BBC Audio Scotland Production produced by Kirsty Williams and directed by Gaynor Macfarlane

1. Admission Feb 03, 2026

Show notes

by Frances Poet with monologues by Eileen Horne.

Part One – Admission

Dr Alex Bridges is an expert forensic psychiatrist and psychotherapist, assessing and treating perpetrators of serious crime.

In this new 5 part series, she takes us into the world of secure units, explores the relationship between mothers and daughters and the impact of fatal violence on the lives it shatters.

DR ALEX BRIDGES ….. Lolita Chakrabarti KATHLEEN ….. Maureen Beattie LINDSAY ….. Helen Mackay ABI ….. Anna Russell-Martin DANIEL ….. Nicholas Karimi SANDRA ….. Lucianne McEvoy LEWIS/SOLICITOR/AMBULANCE OPERATOR ….. Lee Hughes DC INGLES/SECURITY GUARD/NURSE ….. Kenny Blyth

Production Coordinators: Rosalind Gibson and Ellie Marsh Sound recording : Andy Hay and Fraser Jackson Sound Design: Fraser Jackson

Series Consultant: Dr Gwen Adshead

Series format created by Lucia Haynes, Audrey Gillan, Eileen Horne, Gaynor Macfarlane, Anita Vettesse and Kirsty Williams.

A BBC Audio Scotland Production produced and directed by Kirsty Williams

Introducing This Thing of Darkness S4 Jan 27, 2026

Show notes

More gripping drama inspired by a real forensic psychiatrist and psychotherapist and her work in secure hospitals.

The Dandelion and the Orchid Jan 03, 2024

Show notes

by Frances Poet with monologues by Eileen Horne

Part Five – THE DANDELION AND THE ORCHID

Dr Alex Bridges is an expert forensic psychiatrist and psychotherapist, assessing and treating perpetrators of serious crime.

This gripping drama explores the psychological impact of murder on perpetrators and follows the fortunes of participants in a Long Sentence therapy group.

How thin is the line between love and hate?

Dr Alex Bridges ….. Lolita Chakrabarti Anthony ….. Lorn Macdonald Finn ….. Reuben Joseph Dani ….. Elysia Welch

Sound Design: Fraser Jackson

Series Consultant: Dr Gwen Adshead

Series format created by Lucia Haynes, Audrey Gillan, Eileen Horne, Gaynor Macfarlane, Anita Vettesse and Kirsty Williams.

Thanks to Victoria Byrne, Barlinnie Prison, Vox Liminis Distant Voices Project and Prof Fergus McNeill.

Produced by Gaynor Macfarlane and Kirsty Williams

A BBC Scotland Production directed by Gaynor Macfarlane

The Christmas Killers Jan 03, 2024

Show notes

by Frances Poet with monologues by Eileen Horne

Part Four – The Christmas Killers

Dr Alex Bridges is an expert forensic psychiatrist and psychotherapist, assessing and treating perpetrators of serious crime.

This gripping drama explores the psychological impact of murder on teenage perpetrators and follows the fortunes of participants in a Long Sentence therapy group.

How do you come to terms with your own capacity for violence?

Dr Alex Bridges ….. Lolita Chakrabarti Anthony ….. Lorn Macdonald Finn ….. Reuben Joseph Twitch …. Brian Ferguson Simon ….. Shaun Mason The Governor….. Karen Bartke Dani ….. Elysia Welch Dead Elvis….Andy Clark

Sound Design: Fraser Jackson

Series Consultant: Dr Gwen Adshead

Series format created by Lucia Haynes, Audrey Gillan, Eileen Horne, Gaynor Macfarlane, Anita Vettesse and Kirsty Williams.

Thanks to Victoria Byrne, Barlinnie Prison, Vox Liminis Distant Voices Project and Prof Fergus McNeill.

Produced by Gaynor Macfarlane and Kirsty Williams

A BBC Scotland Production directed by Kirsty Williams

A Pint with Pals Jan 03, 2024

Show notes

by Frances Poet with monologues by Eileen Horne

Part Three – A Pint with Pals

Dr Alex Bridges is an expert forensic psychiatrist and psychotherapist, assessing and treating perpetrators of serious crime.

This gripping drama explores the psychological impact of murder on teenage perpetrators and follows the fortunes of participants in a Long Sentence therapy group.

How do you cope with the extreme grief behind bars?

Dr Alex Bridges ….. Lolita Chakrabarti Anthony ….. Lorn Macdonald Finn ….. Reuben Joseph Twitch …. Brian Ferguson Simon ….. Shaun Mason Dani ….. Elysia Welch Dead Elvis….Andy Clark

‘Autopilot’ composed by Jill O'Sullivan & Lee and performed by Jill O'Sullivan & Louis Abbott as part of the Vox Liminis' Distant Voices project.

Sound Design: Fraser Jackson

Series Consultant: Dr Gwen Adshead

Series format created by Lucia Haynes, Audrey Gillan, Eileen Horne, Gaynor Macfarlane, Anita Vettesse and Kirsty Williams.

Thanks to Victoria Byrne, Barlinnie Prison, Vox Liminis Distant Voices Project and Prof Fergus McNeill.

Produced by Gaynor Macfarlane and Kirsty Williams

A BBC Scotland Production directed by Kirsty Williams

The Elephant in the Room Jan 03, 2024

Show notes

by Frances Poet with monologues by Eileen Horne

Part Two – The Elephant in the Room

Dr Alex Bridges is an expert forensic psychiatrist and psychotherapist, assessing and treating perpetrators of serious crime.

This gripping drama explores the psychological impact of murder on teenage perpetrators and follows the fortunes of participants in a Long Sentence therapy group.

How much do childhood experiences impact the mind of a murderer?

Dr Alex Bridges ….. Lolita Chakrabarti Anthony ….. Lorn Macdonald Finn ….. Reuben Joseph Twitch …. Brian Ferguson Simon ….. Shaun Mason Donna/The Governor….. Karen Bartke Dani ….. Elysia Welch Dead Elvis….Andy Clark

Sound Design: Fraser Jackson

Series Consultant: Dr Gwen Adshead

Series format created by Lucia Haynes, Audrey Gillan, Eileen Horne, Gaynor Macfarlane, Anita Vettesse and Kirsty Williams.

Thanks to Victoria Byrne, Barlinnie Prison, Vox Liminis Distant Voices Project and Prof Fergus McNeill.

Produced by Gaynor Macfarlane and Kirsty Williams

A BBC Scotland Production directed by Gaynor Macfarlane