Joseph Fiennes to star in BBC horror podcast from '2.22 - A Ghost Story' creator

Joseph Fiennes is set to star in a horror podcast for the BBC that has been written by the creator of hit stage show 2.22 - A Ghost Story.

The Witch Farm has cast Fiennes, known for his creepy role as Fred Waterford in The Handmaid's Tale, alongside Alexandra Roach (No Offence, Utopia), Owen Teale (Game Of Thrones), Reece Shearsmith (Inside Number 9, The League Of Gentlemen) and Tom Price (Torchwood).

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A true story of a couple who lived in a terrifying house that has had more exorcisms than any other in British history, it has been written by skilled scare-maker Danny Robins, creator of the West End hit 2.22 which attracts star casts, as well as The Battersea Poltergeist and Uncanny. Robins will also present the podcast.

Set in 1989 rural Wales, it sees Bill (Fiennes) and Liz (Roach) move into their new home, Heol Fanog, in the Brecon Beacons mountains.

But their idyllic home becomes plagued by strange and frightening phenomena and an electricity bill so impossibly huge it suggests that something is sucking the power from the house.

The podcast features Danny Robins arriving in the remote Welsh countryside to re-open the paranormal cold case and travels into the wild mountains of Wales to meet witches, druids, exorcists and the woman at the heart of the haunting: the real-life Liz, now in her 60s.

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Parapsychologists Ciaran O’Keefe and Evelyn Hollow - the team of experts from The Battersea Poltergeist - return to help Danny investigate the strange true story behind the podcast.

The podcast will be interactive, encouraging listeners to offer their own explanations to the mystery over its eight episodes.

Robins said: “I’m thrilled to return to BBC Sounds and Radio 4 with a new real-life ghost story just in time for Halloween.

"Investigating The Battersea Poltergeist pushed me to the very edge of believing ghosts exist. Since then, I’ve been wondering if there’s another case that could tip me over the edge. Just, maybe, this is the one.

"The Witch Farm is unlike anything I have come across before, we have apparitions, poltergeist activity, alleged possession, physical injury and even threat to life. It’s going to be quite a ride - prepare to never sleep again…”

Rhian Roberts, commissioning editor, said: "This new series is stuffed full of the wicked mischief and terrifying twists we know listeners love. We look forward to welcoming everyone to a very haunted house and apologise in advance for jump scares and sleepless nights."

The Witch Farm is available from 17 October at 7am on BBC Sounds and will air each Monday at 11pm on BBC Radio 4.