David Farnor | On 14, Dec 2021

Sky will be inviting The Amazing Mr Blunden over for Christmas this year – and a new trailer gives us a first look at the family adventure.

The Sky Original tars Simon Callow as Mr Blunden with Mark Gatiss and Tamsin Greig as Mr and Mrs Wickens. The Christmas special also introduces Tsion Habte and Jason Rennie as London teenagers Lucy and Jamie Allen, alongside India Fowler and Xavier Wilkins as Sara and Georgie Latimer.

It follows the mysterious old man, Mr Blunden, who offers Lucy and Jamie’s mum the opportunity to become the caretaker of a ruined country house – one that’s said to be haunted. Within its neglected, overgrown grounds, Jamie and Lucy have an encounter with what appears to be a pair of ghost children. But these spooky kids, Sara and Georgie, aren’t actually ghosts. They’ve travelled forwards in time to seek help, believing they’re going to be murdered by the wicked Mr and Mrs Wickens. And Lucy and Jamie’s strange visitor seems to be the key to it all. With his help, they must travel back to 1821 to save Sara and Georgie and redeem their remorseful new friend – The Amazing Mr Blunden.

Adapted from the novel The Ghosts by Antonia Barber and the 1972 film of the same name, it is directed and written by Mark Gatiss and will air on Sky Max at 7pm. Here’s the trailer:

 

Simon Callow, Tamsin Greig, Mark Gatiss to star in Sky’s The Amazing Mr Blunden

9th June 2021

Simon Callow, Tamsin Greig and Mark Gatiss will star in The Amazing Mr Blunden, a Sky Original family adventure for Christmas.

Written and directed by Gatiss (Sherlock, Dracula, Doctor Who) and produced by Adorable Media in association with Sky Studios, the 90-minute film is adapted from the novel The Ghosts by Antonia Barber and the 1972 film of the same name. It follows London teenagers Jamie and Lucy Allen, whose mother is offered opportunity to become the caretaker of a ruined country house – one that’s said to be haunted. The job comes from a mysterious old man, Mr Blunden and within the home’s neglected, overgrown grounds, Jamie and Lucy have an encounter with what appears to be a pair of ghost children. But these spooky kids, Sara and Georgie, aren’t actually ghosts. They’ve travelled forwards in time to seek help, believing they’re going to be murdered by the wicked Mr and Mrs Wickens.

The film stars Callow as Mr Blunden with Mark Gatiss and Greig (Friday Night Dinner, Episodes) as Mr and Mrs Wickens. It introduces Tsion Habte and Jason Rennie as Lucy and Jamie Allen, alongside India Fowler and Xavier Wilkins as Sara and Georgie Latimer.

Jon Mountague, Director of Comedy, Sky Studios, said: “When we learnt that the incomparable Mark Gatiss wanted to update this absolute classic for the 21st century, we thought all our Christmases had come at once. The Amazing Mr Simon Callow and Tamsin Greig complete a trio of national treasures, and introducing an incredible young cast alongside, we couldn’t be prouder – roll on Christmas!”

Mark Gatiss, Director, said: “To me, everything about ‘The Amazing Mr Blunden’ is magical. A ghost story with a sentimental heart. A costume drama with a time-travelling twist. Scary villains, melancholy, laughter and joy. I first came across the wonderful original film at primary school when it was shown on a battered old projector on that most hallowed of occasions – the last Friday before the Christmas holidays. In our new version, as in the book, the Allen family are very much from the modern world. I can’t wait to share the adventure with a whole new audience.”

The film will air on Sky and NOW this festive period. Filming is now underway.

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