Garth Marenghi's Darkplace. Image shows from L to R: Todd Rivers / Dr. Lucien Sanchez (Matt Berry), Dean Learner / Thornton Reed (Richard Ayoade), Garth Marenghi / Dr. Rick Dagless M.D. (Matthew Holness), Madeleine Wool / Dr. Liz Asher (Alice Lowe). Image credit: Avalon Television.

Garth Marenghi's Darkplace

Garth Marenghi's Darkplace

In this inventive spoof of 1980s TV, author Garth Marenghi introduces his long-lost drama about a doctor battling evil forces

Genre:
Sitcom
Broadcast:
2004  (Channel 4)
Episodes:
6 (1 series)
Starring:
Matthew Holness, Richard Ayoade, Matt Berry, Alice Lowe, Kim Noble
Writers:
Matthew Holness, Richard Ayoade
Production:
Avalon Television

A 2004 cult series which aimed to spoof the fantasy horror genre and mock low-budget 1980s TV dramas.

The series sees horror author Garth Marenghi (Matthew Holness) introducing the first UK broadcast of his 'terrifying and radical' 1980s TV drama Garth Marenghi's Darkplace.

Dr. Rick Dagless M.D. is a maverick doctor battling against the evil forces lurking beneath a hospital in Romford. He is assisted by Dr. Lucien Sanchez, Dr. Liz Asher and hospital boss Thornton Reed.

The 'archive' episodes broadcast are interspliced with recent interviews conducted with the drama's three key players - Marenghi himself, his publisher, business associate and co-star, Dean Learner (Richard Ayoade) and cult horror star Todd Rivers (Matt Berry).

Our Review: A bizarre, hilarious mockumentary sitcom send-up of all the cheesy 1980s dramas that can be seen on daytime TV.

The inventive use of 'interviews' and the (intentionally) terrible acting, dodgy camerawork, and hammy dialogue make this a highly original comedy and one of our all time favourites!