Mawaan Rizwa Talks A Woman of Stone, The BBC’s Christmas Ghost Story

Bedside Manners

Mawaan Rizwa who plays Doctor Zubin in the new BBC Christmas ghost story, A Woman Of Stone, and he spoke about the new drama…

Were you familiar with Mark Gatiss’ ghost stories for the BBC before you stepped into this one?

Yes! I’ve been a big fan of Mark since League of Gentlemen. And I love spooky telly at Christmas.

Were you aware that E Nesbit wrote horror stories and what did you make of Woman in Stone when you first read the script?

No – like my character Zubin, I was only aware of her more mainstream classics. So you could say I’ve gone method. I was fascinated to discover another side to her and loved how Mark’s writing offered some interesting parallels and insights into her life, whilst still treating us to his signature style of creepy storytelling.

Talk us through Dr Zubin – who is he, how does he fit into the story and what did you find interesting about him?

Zubin is the local doctor and Edith is one of his patients whom he regularly visits – she’s quick- witted and tells charming stories and probably one of his favourites. What I found interesting about Zubin is that he lives in a town where most of the folks rely on him, yet he’s often made to feel like the outsider. I think he’s desperate to connect and so when he meets Edith (and in turn Laura) he sees a kindred spirit.

How did you find working with Mark and the rest of the cast?

It was a total joy. Mark is very collaborative and playful on set, which makes it a lot of fun. And Éanna, Phoebe & Monica are such brilliant performers.

What was it like working with Celia Imrie who plays E Nesbit?

I mean, Celia is a legend! On and off screen. I felt very lucky to be absorbing some of her approach and technique.

Your character spans two time zones – how did you tackle this duality in your performance?

The way I see it – even though Edith is fictionalising a story within a story, she is imbuing it with characters and experiences from her life. So the Zubin within the story still carries the same dreams, hopes, flaws and obstacles as the Zubin that Edith has got to know in her real life.

It was also fun sometimes to view the story within a story as a flashback fantasy of Edith’s. And the blurring of realities always evokes a ghostly feeling.

What do you think viewers will enjoy about this story?

It’s brilliantly mood evoking with an amazing cast (duh) and a fascinating insight into E. Nesbit’s life.

What makes ghost stories so fitting around Christmas time and do you have a favourite ghost story?

My favourite ghost story is one from my actual life! It’s too long to tell here but basically involves subletting a basement flat in Edinburgh. When I moved in, I learnt that it was connected to a four-storey Georgian town house. One night I came home to find the door that connected to the house was wide open and no one was in. I kept hearing weird noises coming from the house, so I went to tell my housemate who was staying in the spare room, but I saw that she was fast asleep.

The next day when I met her out in town, she told me she never came home that night. So I still have no idea who I saw sleeping in that spare room!