30 years since its British TV debut, Russell T Davies’ sci-fi series Dark Season is brought to life on audio by Big Finish Productions.
Due for release in November 2021, this audiobook regales the tale across over five and a half hours, and features Victoria Lambert in her first acting role since she originally played heroine Marcie on screen, as she reads the novelisation of the 1991 television series.
Dark Season was originally a six-part BBC drama which told the adventures of three teenagers and their battle to save their school and their classmates from the actions of the sinister Mr Eldritch.
It was the first television drama to be written by Russell T Davies, and was also noteworthy for co-starring a young Kate Winslet in her first major television role. Here’s the blurb:
An ordinary day at school takes a sinister turn when the mysterious Mr Eldritch promises a free home computer for every pupil — computers which conceal a terrible power…
Only three teenagers, Marcie, Thomas and Reet, are alert to danger. Soon, they’re caught in a conspiracy of brainwashing, kidnaps and a threat to the whole human race. Worse still, the school itself hides ancient secrets buried beneath its foundations, as the awesome Behemoth rises from its tomb, intent upon the destruction of all.
Eldritch has summoned his Dark Season, which heralds the end of the world…
Writer Russell T Davies said:
“When I wrote my first TV script, 30 years ago, I never dreamt I’d be revisiting it all these years later. To be reunited with its star, Victoria Lambert, has been an absolute joy. We both agreed that in 1991, this was my trial run for Doctor Who!
“And it’s not just about revisiting the past. With Scott Handcock and Big Finish at the helm, I hope a new and terrifying Dark Season might be about to fall…”
Victoria Lambert said:
“When I first got the message, I thought it was someone taking the mick. But it’s surreal, slightly, because when you’re sitting here and you’re reading the lines, there almost – in a compartment of my head – is the programme. I can see each scene. It’s always in the back of your mind.”
Producer Scott Handcock added:
“Dark Season’s one of those series that burned itself into the imaginations of a generation of children back in the early 90s. It’s full of massive ideas and brilliant characters, not to mention an astonishing cast, and we were thrilled to track down the one-and-only Marcie Hatter – Victoria Lambert!
“We had such a fun time reliving Russell’s novelisation of that original TV series as a brand-new audiobook, and it’s a perfect introduction to the world… before Big Finish embarks on a few new dark seasons of its own.”
The CD box set edition is limited to 1,000 copies only.
Dark Season is now available to pre-order as a five-CD box set at £22.99 or as a digital download from the Big Finish website at £19.99.
