Two ghostly British shorts … just in time for Halloween! Switch off the lights, draw up the covers and wait for the witching hour to be haunted by these two 30-minute supernatural stories penned by British writer MR James, and adapted and directed by Mark Gatiss (Dr Who, Sherlock). 

In Count Magnus, described by Radio Times as “a spooky diversion with a delicious twist”, travel back in time to 1863, when a British travel writer visiting Sweden becomes fascinated by the story of long-dead nobleman Count Magnus – who, he discovers, does not lie easy in his tomb. Based on James’s 1904 short story of the same name, this ghostly tale stars BAFTA winner Jason Watkins (Being Human, The Crown, McDonald & Dodds). 

The eerie Martin’s Close tells the tale of a young squire who is prosecuted for murder in 1684 by the King’s Counsel (BAFTA and Oscar winner Peter Capaldi – Dr Who, The Thick of It), and his life lies in the hands of an infamous “hanging judge”. But the case is not cut-and-dried as the poor country girl he is accused of murdering has been seen after her death … 

Prepare to be thoroughly spooked! 
 
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