Interview: ‘The Awakening’ screenwriter Stephen Volk

In his latest interview/podcast, host Stuart Wright talks to BAFTA winning screenwriter Stephen Volk about writing his period ghost story screenplay The Awakening (2011). Directed by Nick Murphy and stars Rebecca Hall, Dominic West, Imelda Staunton and Shaun Dooley, The Awakening is available to watch on Netflix UK at www.netflix.com/gb/title/70208816

In 1921, in London, the arrogant and skeptical Florence Cathcart is famous for exposing hoaxes and helping the police to arrest con artists. The stranger Robert Mallory tells her that the headmaster of a boarding school in Rookford had invited her to travel to Cumbria to investigate a ghost that is frightening the pupils to death. He also tells that many years ago there was a murder in the estate and recently pupil Walter Portman had died. The reluctant Florence finally accepts to go to Cumbria. On arrival, she is welcomed by governess Maud and the boy Thomas Hill. Soon Florence discovers what had happened to Walter and then the students, teachers and staff are released on vacation, and Florence remains alone with Robert, Maud and Tom in the school. Florence is ready to leave the boarding school when strange things happen, leaving Florence scared.

Stephen Volk’s forthcoming book The Dark Masters Trilogy – three stories featuring Peter Cushing, Alfred Hitchcock, Dennis Wheatley and Aleister Crowley – will be published by PS Publishing in one volume, late October. (www.pspublishing.co.uk). For more information on Stephen visit www.stephenvolk.net