Rafe Spall, star of C4’s offbeat comedy Pete Versus Life and Ridley Scott’s sci-fi blockbuster Prometheus, has been cast as a paranormal investigator in ITV’s new drama Harry Price: Ghost Hunter.
Based on Neil Spring’s novel The Ghost Hunters, the feature-length story is set in 1920s London and will see Rafe portray real-life supernatural sceptic Harry Price.
“It’s a fantastic piece of history that has mass appeal,” reveals the actor. “I can’t wait to start filming.”
An expert at sleight of hand and with a keen eye for identifying charlatans, the story opens with Harry having lost his way and making his living as a fake medium and fraudulent ghost hunter. But his unscrupulous antics have fatal consequences when a deeply troubled soldier, for whom Harry conducts a seance, takes his own life on the doorstep of Harry’s home.
Some months later, Harry is offered a chance of redemption when local MP Edward Goodwin (ex-Silent Witness actor Tom Ward), requests his help to investigate ghostly goings-on at his home that are driving his wife to the edge of madness and a career-ending spell in the asylum.
Together with the Goodwin family maid Sarah Grey, whose mother has fallen prey to con-artist mediums in the past, their detection and investigative skills combine to make the duo a formidable partnership.
Downton Abbey star Cara Theobald (AKA kindhearted kitchen maid Ivy) plays Sarah, while Richie Campbell portrays Harry’s friend Albert Ogoro and Lewis Reeves joins as manipulative journalist, Vernon Wall. And with a script adapted by Jack Lothian, whose previous hits include Doc Martin, Death in Paradise, Ashes to Ashes, the film looks set to be full of intrigue and drama.
“It’s a great thrill to be making Harry Price: Ghost Hunter for ITV,” says the drama’s executive producer, Jo Wright. “And to be able to combine Neil’s book with Jack’s script has been a delight.”
Filming for Harry Price: Ghost Hunter is about to begin soon in London.
