DVDs in the Works

There are so many imponderables involved in choosing housing. You’d think it was enough to check out the neighborhood, closet space, plumbing, conveniences, light availability and the like. Few stop to consider the history of the property, an oversight that that the residents of Bedlam Heights may soon regret. The building has been gutted and expertly renovated to appeal to young professionals, but its long – and woefully unenlightened — use as an insane asylum has made it a hotbed of psychic activity of the worst kind. Vengeful spirits of the inmates abound, and they have an uncanny ability to ferret out the guilty secrets of the living. In particular danger are the descendants of the asylum’s original proprietor: Kate Bettany (Charlotte Salt, Lady Ursula in The Tudors S4) and her father, Warren (Hugo Speer, Bleak House, Warrior Queen). The acorns haven’t fallen too far from the tree in the Bettany family, so it’s okay to root for the ghosts.

On the side of helping the restless souls to find peace is Kate’s cousin Jed (Theo James, who played the ill-starred Turkish diplomat in Downton Abbey). Jed’s ability to see ghosts and how they died makes him an especially handy man about the house, though his credibility in the everyday world is all but lost. Will Young (Marple: The Mirror Cracked From Side to Side, Mrs Henderson Presents) plays computer geek Ryan, who is always ready to research into the asylum records for the case histories. Incidentally, Will Young was also the first winner in the original UK Pop Idol series.

Attendees of ComicCon this year will have the chance to see Episode 1 of Bedlam on Friday at 5:15 PM, followed by a Q&A with Theo James and creator David Allison. The rest of us will have to wait till the premiere on October 8^th’s Supernatural Saturday. Click here for further details of ComicCon including signing schedules and Matt Smith and Karen Gillan’s panel for Doctor Who.

BROADCAST ALERT: The next season of Torchwood premieres on Starz on Friday, July 8, at 10pm Eastern/Pacific time. Catch it now; the DVD won’t be out till next year.