FX’s A Christmas Carol

Writer and director Steven Knight started a freelance writing partnership with Mike Whitehill in 1988, providing material for television and Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? which Knight co-created.He has published four novels The Movie House, Alphabet City, Out of the Blue and the children’s novel, The Last Words of Will Wolfkin.Knight’s first screenplay, Dirty Pretty Things, was directed by Stephen Frears and was selected to open the prestigious London Film Festival. Dirty Pretty Things won four British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs), the 2005 Humanitas Prize for Film and an Oscar® nomination for Best Original Screenplay at the 76th Annual Academy Awards®, among other honors.He wrote a number of high-profile screenplays including; Eastern Promises, directed by David Cronenberg and starring Viggo Mortensen and Naomi Watts, The Hundred Foot Journey, directed by Lasse Hallström, Pawn Sacrifice, directed by Ed Zwick and Allied, directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard. Knight is also the creator, executive producer and writer of the BAFTA winning television series Peaky Blinders, starring Cillian Murphy, Helen McCrory and Paul Anderson. Season five will air this year. He’s also the creator, executive producer and writer on the FX Networks and BBC series Taboo, which starred Tom Hardy.Knight has also written and directed three films; Hummingbird, starring Jason Statham and Agata Buzek, Locke, with Tom Hardy and most recently, Serenity, starring Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway.Knight received the highest honor from the Royal Television Society’s Midlands Centre – the Baird Medal – in recognition of his career. He also has an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Worcester and an Honorary Degree of Doctor from the Birmingham City University.

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Knight received the highest honor from the Royal Television Society’s Midlands Centre – the Baird Medal – in recognition of his career.

Steven Knight | A Christmas Carol on FX

Steven Knight | Executive Producer & Writer | A Christmas Carol on FX

About

Cast and Crew

On Christmas Eve we meet "Ebenezer Scrooge," portrayed by Guy Pearce. A skinflint, he’s isolated, begrudging and resentful of the world. He is aloof and miserable, always testing humanity to find the worst in people and to ratify his own confirmation bias. All the friendships he had in the world he has lost. The hope and optimism he had as a child have been shattered by a brutal upbringing. Can the advent of his business partner Marley and the arrival of the three ghosts reinvigorate the spirit, joy and hope of a once-lost boy?

The "Ghost of Christmas Past," portrayed by Andy Serkis, is jaded. He’s been sent to make lost souls repent before, why should "Scrooge" be any different? He prods and pokes where it hurts, transforming himself into those known to his charge, finding a place of pain, shame and self-knowledge. But can he get Scrooge to recognize himself, and repent?

"Jacob Marley," portrayed by Stephen Graham, lies in his coffin and regrets. He regrets his miserliness, the risks he took, the penny-pinching that resulted in his factories being run down, his workforce pushed to the brink, ensuring accidents and calamities, lives lost, communities crushed. His guilt haunts him. He wishes to repent. He is sent on a journey of the soul – but to guarantee the safety of his – he must also save "Scrooge’s."

"Lottie," portrayed by Charlotte Riley, was "Scrooge’s" elder sister. Was, because she is dead. Or was dead, because now she has sent herself back to the world of the living to try her turn at saving Scrooge’s hardened soul. With fire and love and anger in her heart she will force Scrooge to see difficult truths.

"Bob Cratchit," portrayed by Joe Alwyn, works constantly for "Scrooge" on little pay and even less recognition. His loyalty is not rewarded, and yet he persists at Scrooge’s, wryly returning banter with his boss and letting things lie, until the stakes get much, much higher. And he won’t take any more.

"Mary Cratchit," portrayed by Vinette Robinson, is a resilient and hardworking woman, diligent, thoughtful, careful. Vengeful. She loves her husband and her children and would do anything for them. Anything.

A menacing figure, the "Ghost of Christmas Future," portrayed by Jason Flemyng, is tall, hooded and silent. His mouth is stitched tightly together. He cannot change the future, he can only show what may come to pass. The night is dark and foreboding and he holds the key to "Scrooge’s" nightmares.

The physical embodiment of "Scrooge’s" childhood dreams, "Ali Baba," portrayed by Kayvan Novak, emerges as one of Scrooge’s oldest friends and comforting escape from the pages of his earliest favorite book, One Thousand and One Nights. He has been with Scrooge through dark times and will show them to him again.

"Belinda Cratchit," portrayed by Tiarna Williams, is feisty and loving. She’s always ready with a quip and retort and is active and fast of foot when needs be.

The well-loved youngest of the Cratchit children, "Tim Cratchit’s" dreams are bigger than the stars, and he’s encouraged by his family to seek them out. Undaunted by the world, Tim, portrayed by Lenny Rush, is determined to try everything, even when it puts everything at risk.

"Scrooge" has been estranged from his father since he was a child, but his domineering and brutal presence still haunts him. Tyrannical, single-minded and cruel, "Franklin," portrayed by Johnny Harris, spent more care tending his failing businesses than his children, except to remind them of their reliance on him. His determination that Scrooge realize the cold heartlessness of the world has been a lesson Scrooge never let go of.

Dean Baker headshot in plain black t shirt with bright window and white wall in background

Steven Knight | Executive Producer & Writer | A Christmas Carol on FX

FX’s A Christmas Carol

Steven Knight

Tom Hardy

Ridley Scott