Cassian Harrison, Channel Editor, BBC Four, announced a new Christmas ghost story from Mark Gatiss alongside a fakery season from BBC Arts, a new Ken Burns epic on Country Music, a poignant, slow TV piece from the Greenland arctic and the second part of Charles I boxset history.

Following on from last Christmas’ The Dead Room, Mark Gatiss returns to BBC Four this Christmas with a brand new ghost story, Martin’s Close. Peter Capaldi, Simon Williams, Sara Crowe, Fisayo Akinade and Elliot Levey star in Mark Gatiss’s chilling adaptation of the M.R. James story which follows the murder trial of John Martin.

In association with BBC Arts, BBC Four presents a fakery season in which Dr Janina Ramirez meets Shaun Greenhalgh, once one of Britain’s most prolific and successful forgers. His spell in prison convinced him to change his ways. In Handmade In Bolton he is now putting his specialised knowledge to positive use by researching and remaking a selection of precious objects from the past using traditional materials and methods. For Ian Hislop’s Fake News, the man himself mines history to identify what motivates fake news and tries to figure out what we do about it whilst, in Van Meegeren: The Forger Who Fooled The Nazis, Andrew Graham Dixon investigates the story of the 20th century’s greatest art forger, Dutch artist Han van Meegeren, who made millions during World War Two, selling fake Vermeers in Nazi-occupied Holland.

The Last Igloo tells the story of a typical day in the life of an Inuit hunter in arctic Greenland, and the igloo that he builds on the frozen landscape. The igloo is thought to be one of the oldest human dwellings but this year, the arctic experienced its warmest winter on record. The snow and ice are disappearing, and with it, igloos and the cultures that build them. Documenting the ingenious craft of igloo-building before it’s too late, this film is a sensory immersion in the landscape of ice and snow: an elegy to a world that is melting away.

After the success of the first part of Charles I: Downfall Of A King history boxset on BBC Four, the story continues with a new three-part series Charles I: Death Of A King (w/t) which focuses on the monarch’s last days, starting with his captivity and the political machinations preceding his trial, leading to the days he took the stand and his execution just a few days later in January 1649.

Across eight episodes, Ken Burn’s Country Music explores the history of this uniquely American art form and features never-before-seen footage and photographs and interviews with more than 80 country music artists, with biographies of the fascinating characters who created and shaped the genre,

Cassian Harrison, Channel Editor, BBC Four says: “BBC Four has had an amazing year, with sterling programming successes including The Yorkshire Ripper Files and Bros: After The Screaming Stops, and a Channel of the Year award to boot. We’ve got an equally exciting year coming up, with content that builds on previous successes but also forges new paths, all of it adding to BBC Four’s distinctive and much-loved position in the UK’s broadcasting landscape.”

Country Music

Coming to BBC Four, Ken Burns’ Country Music epic was filmed across eight years and features many of the biggest country stars. The series explores the history of this uniquely American art form across the twentieth century, from its roots in ballads, blues and hymns, to its global popularity.

Across eight episodes, Country Music features never-before-seen footage and photographs and interviews with more than 80 country music artists, with biographies of the fascinating characters who created and shaped the genre, from the Carter family, Jimmie Rodgers and Bob Wills to Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Charley Pride, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Garth Brooks and more. It also covers the times in which they lived, featuring incredible stories of the joys and hardship they went through.

The series will be broadcast as six hour long episodes followed by two 90 minute episodes.

Country Music is a PBS production, directed by Ken Burns; produced by Ken Burns, Dayton Duncan and Julie Dunfey. Commissioned for BBC Four by Jan Younghusband, Head of Commissioning, Music Television.

Martin’s Close

Peter Capaldi (Doctor Who, The Thick Of It, Paddington) will star in Martin's Close, airing this Christmas on BBC Four. The standalone 30-minute drama is based on M.R. James' chilling ghost story of the same name, and is adapted and directed by Mark Gatiss (Sherlock, The League Of Gentlemen, Doctor Who).

1. John Martin is on trial for his life. Facing him, the infamous ‘hanging judge’, George Jeffreys. But this is not a cut and dried murder case. Because the innocent young girl Martin is accused of killing has been seen after her death...

Peter Capaldi will play Dolben, in a cast which also includes Wilf Scolding (Game Of Thrones) as John Martin, Simon Williams (The Archers) as Stanton, Sara Crowe (Four Weddings And A Funeral) as Sarah, James Holmes (Miranda) as Snell, Fisayo Akinade (A Very English Scandal) as William, and Elliot Levey (Murder On The Orient Express) as Judge George Jeffreys.

Mark Gatiss says: “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?"

Martin's Close follows the tradition of ghost stories for Christmas on the BBC, most recently continued by Mark Gatiss with Crooked House (2008), The Tractate Middoth (2013) and last year's The Dead Room, starring Simon Callow. 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.

Martin's Close is made for BBC Four by Can Do Productions with Adorable Media. It is adapted and directed by Mark Gatiss, and produced by Isibeal Ballance. Ben Irving is executive producer for the BBC.

Martin's Close (1x30') will air on BBC Four this Christmas.

The Last Igloo

The igloo is thought to be one of the oldest human dwellings - a simple and elegant design that a skilled Inuit can build in a couple of hours. Synonymous with the arctic, this vernacular lodge is symbolic of a whole way of life.

But the igloo will soon be lost forever. The arctic is warming at twice the rate of anywhere else on earth, while Greenland’s ice sheet is vanishing four times faster now than in 2003. The snow and ice are disappearing, and with it, igloos and the cultures that built them.

This feature-length film tells the story of a typical day in the life of an Inuit hunter in Greenland, as he travels across the stunning arctic landscape with his dog sled, fishes through the sea ice, and finally builds an igloo. While Inuit now live in permanent settlements, igloos are still constructed by hunters for shelter while out in the wilderness. Documenting the ingenious craft of igloo-building before it’s too late, this film is an extraordinary and poetic sensory immersion in the landscape of ice and snow: an elegy to a world that is melting away.

Shot to reveal every beautiful detail of the hunter’s day and the epic landscape of Greenland, the visuals are enhanced by surround sound recording and a Dolby Atmos mix that immerses the viewer in the arctic. The stunning sound design is complemented by an original score from acclaimed Icelandic composer Biggi Hilmars.

At its heart, this film is a slow and meditative celebration of an indigenous craft at one with the landscape, a poignant reminder that both may soon disappear, and a satisfying sensory immersion in a world of ice and snow.

The Last Igloo (1x90') was commissioned by Cassian Harrison, Channel Editor, BBC Four and the Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Emily Smith. It has been made by Swan Films. It’s produced, filmed and directed by Christian Collerton. Composer is Biggi Hilmars. Editor is William Grayburn. Executive Producers are Neil Crombie and Joe Evans.
Charles I: Death Of A King

Following the success of Charles I: Downfall Of A King, the BBC announces a new three-part series Charles I: Death Of A King (w/t), focusing on the monarch’s last days, starting with his captivity and the political machinations preceding his trial, leading to the days he took the stand and his execution just a few days later in January 1649.

On Christmas day 1648, no-once envisaged how far the nation would go to curtail the power of the monarchy, but just 36 days later our new political leaders had heralded a republic that lasted 11 years, and changed the nature of politics and power in Britain forever. This series tells the story of one of the most momentous events in our history.

140 years before the French Revolution the English committed an act that sent shock waves across Europe. Was executing Charles a brave and necessary reaction to a despot? Was it a triumph for human rights and equality? Or was it a tragic mistake, carried out by a cabal of religious and political extremists, who were motivated by power and ego?

This series unpicks the sequence of events in forensic detail, revealing the twists in a story whose outcome was by no means certain. Incredible original documents such as Charles’ death warrant, artefacts such as the bulletproof hat worn by the chief prosecutor for Parliament and Charles’ bloodstained shirt bring the history vividly to life; and hour by hour, the series traces the machinations, secret decisions, and fateful turning points that led to this cataclysmic event.

Charles I: Death Of A King, a 3x60' for BBC Four, is made by DSP (part of EndemolShine UK). It was commissioned by Cassian Harrison, Channel Editor, BBC Four and Tom McDonald, Head of Commissioning, Natural History and Specialist Factual. The Commissioning Editor is Abigail Priddle. The Executive Producers for DSP are Emily Dalton and Erika Dodd.

Ian Hislop’s Fake News

Fake news is never out of today's headlines. But in this latest Ian Hislop documentary taking the long view of a hot-button issue, he discovers how fake news was raking in cash or wreaking havoc long before our own confused, uncertain times.

Ian mines history to identify what motivates fake news - from profit, power and politics to prejudice, paranoia and propaganda - as well as to try to figure out what to do about it. In America and back home Ian meets, amongst others, someone whose fake news stories have reached millions and a victim of fakery. Viewers also get to see Ian getting a taste of what it's like to be 'deepfaked'.

Ian delves into early fake news scoops looks into how photography, which initially promised new standards of accuracy, also brought new ways of lying and also digs into conspiracy theories and also ponders the consequences of official British fake news-mongering during WW1.

To understand more about the current crisis, Ian meets James Alefantis, owner of the Washington DC pizzeria who fell victim to the ‘Pizzagate’ conspiracy, quizzes ex-construction worker Christopher Blair, a controversial figure sometimes dubbed 'the godfather of fake news’ and discusses how frightened we should be about fake news, and what can be done about it, with Damian Collins MP who chaired the Parliamentary Inquiry into Fake News.

Ian Hislop’s Fake News is a 1x60' Wingspan Production for BBC Four. It was commissioned by Cassian Harrison, Channel Editor, BBC Four and Mark Bell, Commissioning Editor, Arts. The Executive Producer is Archie Baron, the Director is Peter Sweasey.

Van Meegeren: The Forger Who Fooled The Nazis

Andrew Graham Dixon investigates the story of the 20th century’s greatest art forger, Dutch artist Han van Meegeren, who made millions during World War Two, selling fake Vermeers in Nazi-occupied Holland.

Following a trail of evidence across Europe, Graham-Dixon pieces together how van Meegeren fooled the art establishment - and even swindled Hermann Göring, selling him what was then one of the most expensive paintings in the world.

A tale of intrigue and double-dealing against the backdrop of Europe’s darkest hour, Graham-Dixon tries to uncover the motives of the master forger. Was he a Dutch folk hero, outwitting the Nazi occupiers? A cynical opportunist? Or even ruthless collaborator?

As Andrew Graham Dixon discovers, this is a tale about much more than simply art forgery: a twisted, timely morality tale about the blurred lines between truth and fiction that poses uncomfortable questions about deception - and collusion. About what happens when we want to believe something a little too much. Even when the evidence of fakery is before our eyes…

A BBC Studios film for BBC Four. Commissioned by Mark Bell. Filmed, Produced & Directed by Colin Murray. Executive Producer Richard Bright

Handmade In Bolton

Shaun Greenhalgh was once one of Britain’s most prolific and successful forgers. His range of skills was so wide that Scotland Yard described him as ‘possibly the most diverse’ forger, ever. From ancient statues to modern paintings there was nothing he couldn’t fake.

But a spell in prison came as a short sharp shock and convinced him to change his ways. These days, in his Bolton workshop, Shaun puts his highly specialised knowledge to positive use by keeping alive the secrets of the ancients.

In Handmade In Bolton, he’s joined by Oxford professor, Dr Janina Ramirez, as the two of them set out to research and remake a selection of precious objects from the past using traditional materials and methods - from an Islamic perfume bottle made of rock crystal, to a Visigoth eagle brooch in gold and garnets.

Unfortunately, the journeys they embark upon are anything but straightforward. Shaun and Janina soon discover that the quality of materials has dropped, some are impossible to find, and the processes used by the ancients can be both unreliable and dangerous. In seeking to preserve the secrets of the ancients, have they bitten off more than they can chew?

Handmade in Bolton is a 4x30' ZCZ Production for BBC Four. It was commissioned by Cassian Harrison, Channel Editor, BBC Four and Mark Bell, Commissioning Editor, Arts. The Executive Producer is Peter Grimsdale, the Director is Waldemar Januszczak.