John Jasper (Matthew Rhys), Rosa Budd (Tamzin Merchant) and Edwin Drood (Freddie Fox)

“IT’S not a challenge you could turn down. You’ve got half a novel.

“My wife calls me, ‘The man who’s finished off Dickens.’

“Which I think is unfair.”

The Mystery of Edwin Drood director Diarmuid Lawrence speaking at the British Film Institute in London last month.

Ahead of the two-part BBC2 adaptation at 9pm tonight (Tuesday) and tomorrow.

Gatehouse (Stephen Rea)

HE is, without a shadow of a doubt, the scariest man on TV.

The Shadow Line’s James Gatehouse, played by Stephen Rea.

Closely followed in the chilling stakes by Rafe Spall’s portrayal of Jay Wratten.

And next Thursday we meet a third contender – Peter Glickman (Antony Sher).

Full of ticking menace in a Dublin clock shop.