Garth Marenghi's Darkplace 

This parody series is an unearthed 80s horror/drama, complete with poor production values, awful dialogue and hilarious violence. The series is set in a Hospital in Romford, which is situated over the gates of Hell.

Stars:

Richard Ayoade, Matt Berry, Matthew Holness

Top Rated TV #223 | 1 nomination.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Richard Ayoade	...	Dean Learner / ... 6 episodes, 2004
Matt Berry	...	Dr. Lucien Sanchez / ... 6 episodes, 2004
Matthew Holness	...	Dr. Rick Dagless M.D. / ... 6 episodes, 2004
Alice Lowe	...	Madeleine Wool / ... 6 episodes, 2004
Kim Noble	...	Jim 4 episodes, 2004
Julian Barratt	...	Padre 3 episodes, 2004
Matt Green	...	Chef's Assistant / ... 2 episodes, 2004
Sarah Kants	...	Larry's Mother 2 episodes, 2004
Graham Linehan	...	Security Guard 2 episodes, 2004
Stephen Merchant	...	The Chef 2 episodes, 2004

Storyline

In the 1980s horror writer Garth Marenghi wrote, produced, directed and starred in Darkplace, a groundbreaking series set in a hospital and exploring the depths of the author's imagination. At least that's what Marenghi and his publicist/co-star, Dean Learner, claim in modern-day interviews which both bookend and interrupt the episodes. In fact the show is cheap, chiché'd, full of gaping plot holes and startlingly misogynist. Garth Marenghi is a creation of comedian Matthew Holness, who won a Perrier award with the character at the 2001 Edinburgh festival.

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Plot Keywords:

hospital | interview | 1980s | tv producer | television | 

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Taglines:

From the best-selling master of darkness

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Genres:

Comedy | Fantasy | Horror | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

TV-MA

Details

Official Sites:

Avalon Television Channel 4 [UK]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 January 2004 (UK)

Also Known As:

Darkplace

Filming Locations:

Romford, Essex, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Avalon Television, Channel 4 Television Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Every actor in this series, even the extras, also appear in The Mighty Boosh, except for Matthew Hollness (Garth Marenghi). Matthew, however, was the original actor for Dixon Bainbridge in the Mighty Boosh live shows before it was adapted to TV.

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Quotes

[repeated line]
Dr. Rick Dagless: My name is Doctor Rick Dagless, M.D.

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Crazy Credits

During the closing credits of each episode the music featured in that particular episode plays, most notably in episode six "The Creeping Moss from the Shores of Shuggoth" when the song "One Track Lover" plays during the credits.

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Return: Cry Wilderness (2017)

User Reviews

say you were there first time round - watch it now

I wasn't fully sure what to expect and nearly didn't watch it at all, that would have been a mistake. Three episodes in and I'm hooked and I'm slowly working on all my friends too as it would be a shame if this slipped by without getting the audience it deserves. I was a bit concerned after the first episode that the jokes would quickly wear a bit thin but this hasn't proved to be the case. I don't think it will be everyone's cup of tea but well worth trying because if it is you're in for one of the funnier half hours of television you'll see all week.