Neil Gaiman, author of Coraline, American Gods, Stardust and some pretty awesome Doctor Who episodes, wrote a fantasy novel based on his 90’s British TV show called Neverwhere. If you haven’t heard of him, or any of his books, google up. He’s incredible and very well-loved. Neverwhere didn’t work as a TV show; Gaiman says it was just a bit before it’s time. But it’s invading the British radio waves this month as a brand new “audio film.”
“Oh, a fuddy-duddy English fantasy writer is making a pretentious radio drama. Sounds like a blast, Beth.” Oh ye, of little faith. I’m telling you: it will be epic.
- It stars James McAvoy as the Scottish Robert Mayhew (that’s right – James McAvoy using HIS NATIVE SCOTTISH ACCENT all night loooong).
- Natalie Dormer plays the Lady Door, and her voice isn’t nearly as annoying as her pinched, calculating bitch face is. In fact, I might be able to tolerate her as Margery Tyrell now.
- David Harewood, of some serious Homeland acclaim, has the sultriest voice I’ve ever heard, and I cannot wait for his “dark” Marquis.
- And speaking of voices you’d make out with as long as you didn’t have to see their faces, Benedict Cumberbatch and Christopher Lee round out the cast.
- The production value is all BBC. And come on, don’t they make just the stuff you absolutely LOVE to LOVE?
It seems like an amazing way to spend a few evenings: something totally different. I don’t even care if it’s not #normal. Decanter some port, clean out your sifters, darn your wool socks, and gather round your MacBook this Saturday morning. I might even live-tweet it. Hashtag: #NeverwhereIsNormal !!
