Murder, They Hope

It's Christmas and Gemma has hired a lovely cottage in a quaint village. Terry spots that the village has a Santa competition, but things take a dark turn as competitors start being killed off in a host of warped and festive ways.

It's Christmas and Gemma has hired a lovely cottage in a quaint village, whilst Terry has been learning to cook the perfect Christmas dinner. It s going to be the best Christmas ever.

Terry spots that the village has a Santa competition, but things take a dark turn as competitors start being killed off in a host of warped and festive ways.

Who is the killer? What is it about the residents of this far flung village that is so unsettling? And can Terry finish preparing the dinner of his dreams AND solve the murders in time for Xmas lunch?

Character guides

DAVID (Peter Davison)

Cheery, bustling, intrusive and smothering - and completely blind to it all. Craving company and love, David is a widower who has turned what was his family home, into the village's only Airbnb.

MARTIN (Robert Webb)

The village's local copper, proudly refers to himself as 'the law around these parts' but he isn't really sure what it means. Authoritative but completely clueless.

ANNETTE (Jane Horrocks)

Martin's wife and local butcher, very stern, likes the village as it is.

JIM (Jack Carroll)

Scruffy and needy, resents the village and everyone in it - he's been hired and quite soon after fired by almost every workplace in the village. Quite quick witted but kept in his place.

ROBERT (Ed Kear)

A real try-hard, teachers' pet, but one of life's losers. Has never won anything ever but his ongoing mediocrity puts the fire in his belly that he needs to only fail over and over again.

SUSAN (Rosie Cavaliero)

Bustling and jolly, bit of a control freak but easily charmed. The type of person who forces everyone into organised fun.

BELLA (Anita Dobson)

Highly strung landlady, always tense and anxious, absolutely worships her husband and does everything for him and for the pub expecting nothing in return. Forever busying herself with duties, with no thanks.

DUNCAN (Clive Russell)

Tall intimidating landlord. Deep voiced and confident, lets his wife do all the work other than the dangerous job of locking up the pub on a night.

JOHN (Martin Kemp)

Tall, blue eyed and gorgeous. Everyone loves him but he knows it, this guy oozes natural charm.

SAMUEL (Samuel Anderson)

Tall, charming, energetic and fun. Always thinks outside the box and has to be different to be better in every way. Keeps his opinions about the village to himself but always gets involved with a smile on his face.

CATHERINE (Rose Ayling-Ellis)

An unnerving presence who carries a warning. Prefers animals to humans and is at her peace in the woodland.

GAVIN (Terry Mynott)

A very sweet guy, nice and welcoming, does what he is told but doesn't fit in with the rest of the villagers.