Gormenghast
Pearl, 12.20am
Why is this brilliant BBC fantasy being shown at midnight? Why, oh why, is it not scheduled at an earlier time-slot? Shown on British TV earlier this year, this four-part series is based on Mervyn Peake's literary classic The Gormenghast Trilogy, and has an all-star cast including Ian Richardson, John Sessions, Neve McIntosh, Christopher Lee, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Fiona Shaw, Stephen Fry, Spike Milligan and Sean Hughes.
Directed by Andy Wilson, this adaptation is faithful to the original Gothic tale, which tells the story of Steerpike, one of the most evil literary characters. The ancient family of Groan has been incarcerated for centuries in the vast, crumbling castle of Gormenghast. But the dynasty and its time-honoured rituals are threatened by the charming but evil Steerpike who is determined to leave his menial position as kitchen boy and achieve ultimate control of the House of Groan.
In the first episode, Steerpike (Meyers, above) escapes the hellish kitchens on the day the 77th Earl of Gormenghast, Titus Groan, is born. He finds himself in the bedroom of Titus' sister, Fuchsia (McIntosh), and charms her into letting him accompany her on a visit to Prunesquallor (Sessions), the castle physician. He quickly ingratiates himself into Prunesquallor's service and, from this toehold of power, quickly becomes the confidant to Titus' bickering aunts Clarice and Cora (Zoe Wanamaker and Lynsey Baxter). This boy moves fast.
Loch Ness
Pearl, 9.35pm
