Peter Capaldi teams up with Mark Gatiss for Christmas ghost story on BBC Four

Peter Capaldi will reunite with Doctor Who writer Mark Gatiss for a Christmas ghost story set to air on BBC Four.

Gatiss, who has written episodes for the much-loved sci-fi series since its revival in 2005, has adapted the M.R. James story Martin’s Close.

It is set in 1684 and follows the murder trial of John Martin, whose case is thrown into question when the young girl he is accused of killing is seen after her death.

The 30-minute drama will feature Capaldi, Simon Williams, Sara Crowe, Fisayo Akinade and Elliot Levey, and continues the tradition of Christmas ghost stories on the BBC.

Capaldi starred as the Doctor from 2013 to 2017 and is also known for his role as foul-mouthed spin doctor Malcolm Tucker in political satire The Thick of It.

Last year, Gatiss wrote The Dead Room for BBC Four, which starred Simon Callow.

He scripted supernatural mini-series Crooked House in 2008 and adapted The Tractate Middoth, another James story, in 2013.

Gatiss, starred as The Captain in Capaldi’s final Doctor Who Christmas special, said: "After the delightful success of last year's The Dead Room, it's a fantastic privilege to continue the tradition of the Christmas Ghost story on BBC Four - and what better than one of my favourite stories by the master of them all, M.R. James?"

The Dead Room was watched by almost one million viewers over the festive period, placing it within BBC Four's top ten shows of last year, the channel has said.

News of Gatiss’ latest project was announced at the Edinburgh TV Festival.

​Additional reporting by Press Association.

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