Misanthrope Ebenezer Scrooge has no time for Christmas, and is visited by the spirit of his former business partner Jacob Marley, who warns him that three ghosts will join him through the night.

Guy Pearce stars as Charles Dickens miserable old humbugger in Steven (Peaky Blinders) Knight’s new adaptation, and it’s really not the antidote to any anti-holiday spirit you might be experiencing. Make no mistake, this is not a family viewing experience – Stephen Graham’s frequent dropping of f-bombs and a gory (literally) draw-dropping moment means that this is an adult affair.

Pearce gets little to do in episode one beyond being a horrendous person. He refuses to let his worker Bob Cratchit leave early on Christmas Eve, delighting in making him work to rule. Even a visit from his nephew does nothing to improve his mood. So far, so familiar – it’s the 1843 classic we’ve seen turned into animation, musical and Muppet adventure – but then there’s a welcome diversion as we watch dead Marley’s journey from repenting in his coffin to going to purgatory, where his future happiness is dependent on turning Scrooge. No mean feat.

By the end of the first hour the clock is striking midnight and Scrooge is getting ready for his first visitation. Enough groundwork has been done to pique the interest, and it’s clear that this is going to a very different version to what we’ve been used to.

Verdict: Dickens at his darkest, there’s no chocolate box veneer to brighten up this tale of misery and repentance. A brave variation on a classic for the BBC’s Christmas Eve lineup, it certainly can’t be accused of being cosy. 7/10

Nick Joy