<span class="SFPTagline"> From SCIFIPEDIA </span>

Garth Marenghi's Darkplace purports to be a cult horror show from the 1980s that was so terrifying it was yanked from broadcast for being "too subversive, too dangerous, too damn scary."

The half-hour spoof series, created in the U.K. and airing on The SCI FI Channel in 2006, describes itself in this way:

Darkplace was the brainchild of bestselling horror writer Garth Marenghi, known to thousands as the author of such classic chillers as The Ooze ("Can water die?") and Black Fang ("Rats learn to drive!"). Marenghi not only scripted and directed but also starred as the show's lead character, Dr. Rick Dagless M.D., a maverick physician battling evil forces lurking beneath a British hospital.

The series was produced by Marenghi's publisher, business associate and co-star, Dean Learner (who played hospital administrator Thornton Reed). The program also features cult horror star Todd Rivers (as Dr. Lucien Sanchez) and Madeleine Wool (as Dr. Liz Asher), who vanished during the production and remains missing and presumed dead.

Controversy has haunted the show since its creation, leading to rumors that the production was cursed. When Darkplace was cancelled, it had already claimed six lives, caused three nervous breakdowns, and been subject to at least one visitation. Learner, however, blames its creator: "Not since Orson Welles had one man had so many fingers in so many pies and been the chef, as well. And then looked like he went and ate them all. The guy was out of control."

Finally, almost 20 years later, Garth Marenghi's Darkplace returns for its first U.S. screening. SCI FI will air six of the 50 or so half-hour episodes, repackaged by Avalon Television and carefully restored and remastered by Marenghi himself, along with technical help from Learner and his one-time brother-in-law. Included with the new versions are recent interviews with the show's key players and an appeal for any information that might lead to the discovery of Madeleine Wool (or her body).

Cast

Garth Marenghi/Dr. Rick Dagless M.D. played by Matthew Holness
Todd Rivers/Dr. Lucien Sanchez played by Matt Berry
Madeleine Wool/Dr. Liz Asher played by Alice Lowe
Dean Lerner/Thornton Reed played by Richard Ayoade

External Links

Official SCI FI Site