Watch The Secret of Crickley Hall

The Secret of Crickley Hall is a British supernatural television drama mini-series, based on the novel of the same name by James Herbert. The show premiered on BBC One in 2012 and subsequently aired on BBC America. The show stars Suranne Jones alongside Tom Ellis, Douglas Henshall, and Ellie Kendrick.

The story takes place in the 21st century, where a family, the Caleighs, move into an old manor house called Crickley Hall after the disappearance of their son, Cam. The house has a dark history of its own, having been a children's home in the 1940s where children were abused, tortured, and killed. As strange things begin to happen to the Caleighs in their new home, they soon realize that the house has a deep connection to their missing son.

The first episode opens with the Caleighs' arrival at Crickley Hall, which is set in the picturesque English countryside. The house is old, crumbling, and has a great many secrets. The family is still reeling from the disappearance of their son, and the house seems to have a sinister atmosphere that immediately has viewers on edge.

As strange occurrences begin to happen in the house, the family begins to investigate, and we are slowly introduced to the history of Crickley Hall. The story then jumps back in time to the 1940s, where we are introduced to a group of orphans who lived in the house, and the staff who were responsible for their care.

As the narrative unfolds, we see the abuse the children suffered at the hands of the staff, and a series of disappearances that were covered up by the staff. It becomes apparent that the house is haunted by the ghosts of the murdered children who are seeking revenge. Meanwhile, the Caleigh family members start to receive terrifying visions and messages from beyond the grave, which leads them to unravel the mystery behind their son's disappearance.

The show centers around themes of family, loss, and the supernatural. Suranne Jones brings a compelling performance as Eve Caleigh, a mother struggling with the disappearance of her son, and the pain of the past that the house unearths. The chemistry between the Caleigh family members feels genuine, with each character given their own complexity and depth.

The show's pacing is slow at times, but this adds to the tension and the sense of unease that permeates the entire narrative. The first few episodes are used to build up the character's backstory, and some viewers may find it slow, but it's vital to the overall story. As the series progresses, the intensity builds, leading to a satisfying climax.

The production value of the show is high, with the atmospheric lighting, eerie sound effects, and visual effects adding to the show's overall tone. The cinematography is beautifully executed, adding to the mystery and darkness of the story.

Overall, The Secret of Crickley Hall is an intriguing and often chilling British supernatural miniseries that delivers a tense, suspenseful story peppered with horror and tragedy. Suranne Jones leads the cast with skill and grace, bringing an emotional depth to the characters that keeps viewers engaged throughout. The story is well crafted, with plenty of twists and turns to keep viewers guessing until the end. Fans of supernatural and horror stories will find much to enjoy in this show.

The Secret of Crickley Hall is a series that ran for 1 seasons (4 episodes) between October 28, 2012 and on BBC America