This Thing of Darkness

A BBC Radio 4 Full-Cast Thriller

“They charged you with murder David. Why is that?... David? Why do the police think you murdered your son?”

Jamie was 19. He was an ambitious personal trainer who wanted to be a social media influencer. But now his hopes and dreams will never be realised. Jamie was found killed at the family home, discovered by his dad – who’s now been charged with his own son’s murder.

In this gripping crime drama, revealed through recordings of sessions led by forensic psychiatrist Dr Alex Bridges (Lolita Chakrabarti), we hear from those closest to Jamie and find out more about the family’s secrets.

David, a photographer, describes a picture-perfect life, his “beautiful” son and a happy home. But is he hiding something?

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

Also featuring bonus content from real-life forensic psychiatrist Dr Gwen Adshead, who was series consultant for This Thing of Darkness. Her appearance on BBC show The Life Scientific is presented as part of this audio release, where she reveals how she treats the minds of real-life violent offenders.

Cast

Alex … Lolita Chakrabarti

David … Robin Laing

Laura… Shauna Macdonald

Hannah … Jessica Hardwick

Liam/Dougie … Simon Donaldson

Kyle/Tyler … Reuben Joseph

Frankie … Brian Vernel

Karen … Victoria Liddelle

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

Series consultant: Dr Gwen Adshead

Written by Lucia Haynes (episodes 1, 2 and 4) and Anita Vettesse (episodes 3, 5, 6 and 7), with monologues by Eileen Horne

Produced by Gaynor Macfarlane and Kirsty Williams

A BBC Scotland Production directed by Gaynor Macfarlane

©2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Love and hate are so close in the human heart

Slightly spoilery, but not too much. An interesting look at how a person can snap and become a killer. Not loaded with excuses, most of the criminals in this admit their guilt and reasons for it. A lot of it is the degradation of status by other people - in the case of the main character, David, A woman at a wedding treated him like staff by imperiously ordering him to go get her a drink. He dwelled on the fact that she didn't even say please and then with alcohol and an illicit affair being revealed, he lost all reason and control. Then he covered it up and insisted on his innocence. In the end though, everyone knew and there was a really gut-wrenching conversation with his wife in which they turn on each other like angry dogs.