This Thing of Darkness

The Dandelion and the Orchid Jan 03, 2024

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

4. The Christmas Killers Jan 03, 2024

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

3. A Pint with Pals Jan 03, 2024

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

2. The Elephant in the Room Jan 03, 2024

By Frances Poet with monologues by Eileen Horne

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

1. A Dangerous Animal Jan 03, 2024

by Frances Poet with monologues by Eileen Horne.

Part One – A Dangerous Animal

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.

Has Dr Bridges made a mistake in putting co-offenders together in Group therapy?

Dr Alex Bridges ….. Lolita Chakrabarti Anthony ….. Lorn Macdonald Finn ….. Reuben Joseph Twitch …. Brian Ferguson Simon ….. Shaun Mason Donna ….. Karen Bartke Mental Health Nurse ….. 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 and Kirsty Williams

Introducing This Thing of Darkness S3 Jan 02, 2024

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.

Has Dr Bridges made a mistake in putting co-offenders together in Group therapy?

Part 7 Nov 11, 2021

The winner of the British Podcast Award for Best Fiction 2021 returns with a gripping drama about trauma, obsession and why we harm the things we love.

Part 7 of 7

Written by Lucia Haynes and Anita Vettesse with monologues by Eileen Horne.

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

Desperation for answers, fear and love lead Ros, Paul and Sarah to a place where the truth will be revealed. Sometimes love is traumatic. Sometimes it’s fatal.

Alex … Lolita Chakrabarti Sarah ….. Melody Grove Ros ….. Lois Chimimba Paul ….. Robert Jack Kelly ….. Veronica Leer Malcolm ….. Michael Nardone Rowena ….. Wendy Seager

Series created by Lucia Haynes, Eileen Horne, Gaynor Macfarlane, Anita Vettesse and Kirsty Williams. Series consultant: Dr Gwen Adshead Produced by Gaynor Macfarlane and Kirsty Williams

A BBC Scotland Production directed by Gaynor Macfarlane

Part 6 Nov 11, 2021

The winner of the British Podcast Award for Best Fiction 2021 returns with a gripping drama about trauma, obsession and why we harm the things we love.

Part 6 of 7

Written by Lucia Haynes with Anita Vettesse; monologues by Eileen Horne.

Dr Alex Bridges is an expert forensic psychiatrist and psychotherapist, assessing and treating perpetrators of violent crime. Having realised Sarah poses an immediate threat to Paul’s family, Alex has to find a way to tell Paul she has betrayed his trust.

With their baby’s life on the line, and their marriage in crisis, revelations come thick and fast. What else is she set to lose?

Alex … Lolita Chakrabarti Ros ….. Lois Chimimba Sarah ….. Melody Grove Paul ….. Robert Jack

Series created by Lucia Haynes, Eileen Horne, Gaynor Macfarlane, Anita Vettesse and Kirsty Williams. Series consultant: Dr Gwen Adshead Produced by Kirsty Williams and Gaynor Macfarlane

A BBC Scotland Production directed by Kirsty Williams

Part 5 Nov 11, 2021

The winner of the British Podcast Award for Best Fiction 2021 returns with a gripping drama about trauma, obsession and why we harm the things we love.

Part 5 of 7

Written by Anita Vettesse with monologues by Eileen Horne.

Dr Alex Bridges is an expert forensic psychiatrist and psychotherapist, assessing and treating perpetrators of violent crime. She also runs a trauma therapy group.

When her professional worlds come dangerously close, Alex is faced with a dilemma: what if the only way to protect someone from harm is to betray their trust?

Dark secrets are revealed as Sarah and Paul’s lives collide. And the lies we tell our loved ones to get their attention are exposed as the Lotus Group continue to work through their various traumas.

Alex … Lolita Chakrabarti Ros ….. Lois Chimimba Sarah ….. Melody Grove Paul ….. Robert Jack Dawn ….. Neshla Caplan Kelly ….. Veronica Leer Malcolm ….. Michael Nardone Rowena ….. Wendy Seager

Series created by Lucia Haynes, Eileen Horne, Gaynor Macfarlane, Anita Vettesse and Kirsty Williams. Series consultant: Dr Gwen Adshead Produced by Kirsty Williams and Gaynor Macfarlane

A BBC Scotland Production directed by Kirsty Williams

Part 4 Nov 11, 2021

The winner of the British Podcast Award for Best Fiction 2021 returns with a gripping drama about trauma, obsession and why we harm the things we love.

Part 4 of 7

Written by Anita Vettesse with monologues by Eileen Horne.

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

Paul and Sarah discover that the past still exerts enormous power in the present. How far will they go?

Alex … Lolita Chakrabarti Sarah ….. Melody Grove Paul ….. Robert Jack Kelly ….. Veronica Leer Malcolm ….. Michael Nardone Rowena ….. Wendy Seager

Series created by Lucia Haynes, Eileen Horne, Gaynor Macfarlane, Anita Vettesse and Kirsty Williams. Series consultant: Dr Gwen Adshead Produced by Gaynor Macfarlane and Kirsty Williams

A BBC Scotland Production directed by Gaynor Macfarlane

Part 3 Nov 11, 2021

The winner of the British Podcast Award for Best Fiction 2021 returns with a gripping drama about trauma, obsession and why we harm the things we love.

Part 3 of 7 Written by Lucia Haynes with monologues by Eileen Horne.

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

Sarah has made a new friend, which feels like good news to Dr Bridges. But what if we can’t recover from past trauma?

Alex … Lolita Chakrabarti Sarah ….. Melody Grove Paul ….. Robert Jack Ros ….. Lois Chimimba Kelly ….. Veronica Leer Malcolm ….. Michael Nardone Rowena ….. Wendy Seager

Series created by Lucia Haynes, Eileen Horne, Gaynor Macfarlane, Anita Vettesse and Kirsty Williams. Series consultant: Dr Gwen Adshead Produced by Gaynor Macfarlane and Kirsty Williams

A BBC Scotland Production directed by Gaynor Macfarlane

Part 2 Nov 11, 2021

The winner of the British Podcast Award for Best Fiction 2021 returns with a gripping drama about trauma, obsession and why we harm the things we love.

Part 2 of 7

Written by Lucia Haynes with monologues by Eileen Horne.

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

With Sarah out of prison, Paul begins to feel less and less safe and turns to a trauma therapy group for support.

And so, Alex finds herself treating both the perpetrator of a violent crime and her victim.

Alex … Lolita Chakrabarti Ros ….. Lois Chimimba Sarah ….. Melody Grove Paul ….. Robert Jack Dawn ….. Neshla Caplan Kelly ….. Veronica Leer Malcolm ….. Michael Nardone Rowena ….. Wendy Seager

Series created by Lucia Haynes, Eileen Horne, Gaynor Macfarlane, Anita Vettesse and Kirsty Williams. Series consultant: Dr Gwen Adshead Produced by Kirsty Williams and Gaynor Macfarlane

A BBC Scotland Production directed by Kirsty Williams

Part 1 Nov 11, 2021

The winner of the British Podcast Award for Best Fiction 2021 returns with a gripping drama about trauma, obsession and why we harm the things we love.

Part 1 of 7

Written by Anita Vettesse with monologues by Eileen Horne.

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

Alex assesses a young woman as she is released from prison. Sarah has served ten years for Arson. Does she still present a risk?

Alex … Lolita Chakrabarti Sarah ….. Melody Grove Paul ….. Robert Jack Ros ….. Lois Chimimba Dog Walker ….. Anita Vettesse

Series created by Lucia Haynes, Eileen Horne, Gaynor Macfarlane, Anita Vettesse and Kirsty Williams. Series consultant: Dr Gwen Adshead Produced by Gaynor Macfarlane and Kirsty Williams

A BBC Scotland Production directed by Gaynor Macfarlane

Introducing This Thing of Darkness S2 Nov 11, 2021

Gripping drama inspired by a real forensic psychologist and her work in secure prisons.

Part 7 Mar 30, 2020

Written by Anita Vettesse with monologues by Eileen Horne.

Dr Alex Bridges is an expert Forensic psychiatrist, assessing and treating perpetrators of the most unthinkable crimes. In this gripping drama, Alex charts the psychological impact of the murder of a young man on his family, and explores the long shadow of homicide through her therapy group for murderers.

Will the truth about Jamie’s murder finally be revealed?

Cast:

Alex … Lolita Chakrabarti Dougie … Simon Donaldson Hannah … Jessica Hardwick Tyler … Reuben Joseph David … Robin Laing Frankie … Brian Vernel

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

Series consultant: Dr Gwen Adshead

Produced by Gaynor Macfarlane and Kirsty Williams

A BBC Scotland Production directed by Gaynor Macfarlane

Part 6 Mar 23, 2020

Written by Anita Vettesse with monologues by Eileen Horne.

Dr Alex Bridges is an expert forensic psychiatrist, assessing and treating perpetrators of the most unthinkable crimes. In this gripping drama, Alex charts the psychological impact of the murder of a young man on his family, and explores the long shadow of homicide through her therapy group for murderers.

Has Laura really discovered who killed her son?

Cast: Alex … Lolita Chakrabarti David … Robin Laing Laura… Shauna Macdonald

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

Series consultant: Dr Gwen Adshead

Produced by Gaynor Macfarlane and Kirsty Williams

A BBC Scotland Production directed by Kirsty Williams

Part 5 Mar 16, 2020

Written by Anita Vettesse with monologues by Eileen Horne.

Dr Alex Bridges is an expert forensic psychiatrist, assessing and treating perpetrators of the most unthinkable crimes. In this gripping drama, Alex charts the psychological impact of the murder of a young man on his family, and explores the long shadow of homicide through her therapy group for murderers.

Alex finds herself at an impasse with David. Elsewhere, things are beginning to unlock: Hannah makes a game-changing disclosure to Laura and in Group Frankie makes a break-through.

Cast:

Alex … Lolita Chakrabarti Liam/Dougie … Simon Donaldson Hannah … Jessica Hardwick Tyler … Reuben Joseph David … Robin Laing Laura… Shauna Macdonald Frankie … Brian Vernel

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

Series consultant: Dr Gwen Adshead

Produced by Gaynor Macfarlane and Kirsty Williams

A BBC Scotland Production directed by Gaynor Macfarlane

Part 4 Mar 09, 2020

Written by Lucia Haynes with monologues by Eileen Horne.

Dr Alex Bridges is an expert Forensic Psychiatrist, assessing and treating perpetrators of the most unthinkable crimes. In this gripping drama, Alex charts the psychological impact of the murder of a young man on his family, and explores the long shadow of homicide through her therapy group for murderers.

The Group begin to consider their relationships with their parents. And Hannah visits David with a challenging question about his relationships.

Cast: Alex … Lolita Chakrabarti Dougie … Simon Donaldson Hannah … Jessica Hardwick Kyle/Tyler … Reuben Joseph David … Robin Laing Laura… Shauna Macdonald Frankie … Brian Vernel

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

Series consultant: Dr Gwen Adshead

Produced by Gaynor Macfarlane and Kirsty Williams

A BBC Scotland Production directed by Kirsty Williams

Part 3 Mar 02, 2020

Written by Anita Vettesse with monologues by Eileen Horne.

Dr Alex Bridges is an expert forensic psychiatrist, assessing and treating perpetrators of the most unthinkable crimes. In this gripping drama, Alex charts the psychological impact of the murder of a young man on his family, and explores the long shadow of homicide through her therapy group for murderers.

Whilst David remains in custody for the murder of his son, the rest of the family must move back into the house where the killing took place.

Cast: Alex … Lolita Chakrabarti Hannah … Jessica Hardwick Kyle … Reuben Joseph David … Robin Laing Karen … Victoria Liddelle Laura… Shauna Macdonald

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

Series consultant: Dr Gwen Adshead

Produced by Gaynor Macfarlane and Kirsty Williams

A BBC Scotland Production directed by Kirsty Williams

Part 2 Feb 24, 2020

Written by Lucia Haynes with monologues by Eileen Horne.

Dr Alex Bridges is an expert forensic psychiatrist, assessing and treating perpetrators of the most unthinkable crimes. In this compelling psychological drama, Alex charts the impact of murder on the victim's family and explores the long shadow cast by homicide - via a therapy group for those who have committed murder.

Whilst continuing to assess David’s state of mind, Alex introduces us to another aspect of her working life: group therapy for murderers.

Cast: Alex … Lolita Chakrabarti Dougie … Simon Donaldson Hannah … Jessica Hardwick Kyle/Tyler … Reuben Joseph David … Robin Laing Laura… Shauna Macdonald Frankie … Brian Vernel

Series created by Audrey Gillan, Lucia Haynes, Eileen Horne, Gaynor Macfarlane, Anita Vettesse and Kirsty Williams. Series consultant: Dr Gwen Adshead Produced by Gaynor Macfarlane and Kirsty Williams A BBC Scotland Production directed by Gaynor Macfarlane

Part 1 Feb 24, 2020

Written by Lucia Haynes with monologues by Eileen Horne.

Dr Alex Bridges is an expert forensic psychiatrist, assessing and treating perpetrators of the most unthinkable crimes.

In this compelling drama, Alex charts the psychological impact of the murder of a young man on his family. A week after 19 year-old Jamie’s murder, Dr Alex Bridges interviews the members of his family. Cast: Alex … Lolita Chakrabarti Hannah … Jessica Hardwick David … Robin Laing Laura… Shauna Macdonald Series created by Audrey Gillan, Lucia Haynes, Eileen Horne, Gaynor Macfarlane, Anita Vettesse and Kirsty Williams. Series consultant: Dr Gwen Adshead Produced by Gaynor Macfarlane and Kirsty Williams

A BBC Scotland Production directed by Gaynor Macfarlane and Kirsty Williams

Introducing This Thing of Darkness S1 Feb 17, 2020

Gripping drama inspired by a real forensic psychologist and her work in secure prisons.

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