actor Mathew Baynton

Greg Jenner is joined by Dr Michael Carter and actor Mathew Baynton to learn all about ghost stories in the European Middle Ages. From the twelfth century onwards, medieval Europe produced a huge number of ghost stories, often written in monasteries. But why were monks so interested in ghosts? How were ghost stories related to wider Christian beliefs about death and the afterlife? And what happened to these beliefs with the arrival of the Protestant Reformation? From creepy child ghosts to friendly apparitions via the fires of purgatory, this is a glimpse into the strange, spooky and sometimes sinister side of medieval beliefs.Research by: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow and Jon Mason Written by: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow, Emma Nagouse and Greg Jenner Produced by: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow and Greg Jenner Audio Producer: Steve Hankey Production Coordinator: Caitlin Hobbs Senior Producer: Emma Nagouse Executive Editor: Chris Ledgard

Mathew Baynton and Jim Howick, acclaimed actors and co-creators of the hit series Ghosts, delve into their creative journey. They share hilarious tales from their time on Hellboy, discuss the challenges of rebooted shows like Bob the Builder, and reflect on the magic of Horrible Histories. Baynton and Howick explore heavy themes in comedy, like mortality and nostalgia. With witty banter, they detail the philosophy behind Ghosts and shed light on their lesser-known film, Bill, examining its missed opportunities in distribution.