Edge of Darkness

Lore & Background

Writer Troy Kennedy Martin was greatly influenced by the political climate of the time, dominated by the Thatcher government, and the aura of secrecy surrounding the nuclear industry – and by the implications of the Gaia hypothesis of environmentalist James Lovelock. These combined to produce a thriller mingling real-world concerns with mythic and mystical elements. Kennedy Martin's original ending, in which Craven would turn into a tree, was vetoed by cast and crew. The serial was first broadcast on BBC2 in six episodes from 4 November to 9 December 1985. It was met with such widespread critical acclaim that within days it had earned a repeat screening on BBC1. Edge of Darkness won several prestigious awards and remains highly regarded, often cited as one of the best and most influential pieces of British television drama. Twenty-five years later, a film remake set in the United States was released, directed by the original series director Martin Campbell and starring Mel Gibson.

Reader's Guide

Edge of Darkness is significant for its fusion of crime thriller, political conspiracy, and environmental mysticism, reflecting the anxieties of the 1980s nuclear age and Thatcher-era secrecy. Its influence is seen in later British drama and in the 2010 American film remake. The serial's critical acclaim and rapid repeat broadcast underscore its immediate impact. The plot, involving a policeman's investigation into his daughter's death leading to plutonium smuggling and government complicity, set a template for complex, morally ambiguous television. The inclusion of the Gaia hypothesis and mystical elements, such as Emma's ghost and the black flowers, added a unique philosophical layer. The serial's legacy endures as a benchmark for intelligent, ambitious television drama.

Did You Know?

• Writer Troy Kennedy Martin's original ending had Ronald Craven turning into a tree, but this was vetoed by cast and crew.
• The serial was first broadcast on BBC2 and within days earned a repeat screening on BBC1 due to critical acclaim.
• A film remake set in the United States was released 25 years later, directed by original series director Martin Campbell and starring Mel Gibson.
• The character Darius Jedburgh, a CIA agent, is described as having a passion for golf and watching ballroom dancing on television.