Phoebe Horn Talks A Woman of Stone, The BBC’s Christmas Ghost Story

Writing Her Own Destiny

Phoebe Horn who plays Laura Lorimer 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?

I watched last Christmas’ – Lot No. 249 – to cheerlead Mark and John Heffernan (who’s also a dear friend) with my family and it did not disappoint, though I have to admit that was the first I had heard of the beloved Christmas Ghost Story!

The autumn before, at a press night, we cheered for Mark for having finalised casting for Lot No. 249 and were, of course, chuffed to bits for him. Then, in a full circle moment, this autumn we found ourselves in almost the exact same spot at a press party when Mark squeezed me, having just cast me in this year’s episode!

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

Shamefully, like Doctor Zubin, I had only really heard of The Railway Children, having played The Old Gentleman when I was 11 (perfect casting TBH). I have since bought an E. Nesbit Ghost Story collection book and look forward to freaking myself out this Christmas at my mum’s cottage, which actually bears a spooky resemblance to Jack and Laura’s!

Woman of Stone quite candidly assesses the abuse and silencing of women – which was, and will always be, truly haunting. In Man Sized in Marble, Nesbit appears to be smuggling this narrative into an era of literature which wouldn’t otherwise have been welcomed, had it not been disguised behind the pursuits of men. What Mark has triumphantly achieved is to inject breath into these women’s stories, breath that invites interrogation, yet is somehow both festive and cynically magical, as is the Ghost Story way.Q: Talk us through Laura. Who is she, how does she fit into the story and what did you find interesting about playing her?

Laura is the wife of Jack Lorimer, an artist and herself a writer. I reckon she’s a far more successful writer than her husband sells her to be, so as not to feel emasculated by her relentless bread-winning. Mark has very delicately brought the fat to the surface of a simple soup by turning the temperature up on Nesbit’s limited description and dialogue for Laura. In her silence is a darkness. So for this retelling, she is more clearly very bruised and misused by Jack. His abusive behaviour becomes worse as he grows more paranoid.

Laura represents those abused of their youth, empathy and honesty: an ongoing cultural, universal injustice. In my head, she has so much love to give and it largely falls on deaf ears, until she meets Zubin. In another life… sigh. She is experiencing tremendous pain: of course she’s a brilliant writer! I like to think Laura would fit very well in the world of Thea Sharrock and Jonny Sweet’s Wicked Little Letters.

You’ve known Mark through working with him in theatre – what’s been your experience of working with him on a television project, with him in the director’s chair?

Mark is a very special person. From the moment we met on The Motive and the Cue, I felt scooped up and entirely supported by him. And the feeling was tenfold on Woman of Stone. Watching him expertly and graciously lead his communities through both has been such an honour.

How has it been working with the rest of the cast?

Monica Dolan is a master of her craft and having the privilege to act so closely alongside her is a total dream for me. Éanna’s generosity is boundless – I hope so much that we get to work together again. Mawaan is a Class A genius and brought buckets of joy to set. The whole creative team and crew were completely gorgeous. Truly cannot be faulted.

What do you think viewers will enjoy about this story?

It’s earnestness. And the sneaky redemption story…

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

This year will be the first that I engage in spooky stories at Christmas so… To Be Discovered! (Not) in answer to your question: I have always wanted to visit Pluckley Village (most haunted in Britain), particularly at Christmas in the snow! If you like ghost stories, and haven’t heard of Pluckley… there are podcasts. You’re welcome.