Category: Ghosts Of Abion

Ghosts of Albion - Legacy co-written and also directed by Amber Benson available for a limited time from the BBC.

5/16/2026

In 2002 Amber Benson co-wrote and co-created Ghosts of Albion with Christopher Golden. The Ghosts of Albion series is set in 1880’s London and centres around the lives of two siblings, William and Tamara Swift. After two full length animated dramas Legacy and Embers, the adventures continued in an novella Astray followed by two full length novels Accursed and Witchery.

Sadly the animated dramas are no longer available to watch however the good news is that the BBC recently re-broadcast the complete audio performance of Ghosts of Albion – Legacy on BBC Radio 4 Extra a few weeks ago. It is available to listen to on demand online and via the BBC Sounds App for a limited time. I must apologise to fellow fans as due to a number of commitments I was delayed in posting this article and at the time of publication it is available for less than two more days.

Ghosts of Albion – Legacy is the origin story where the audience are introduced to William and Tamara Swift. While on his death bed, their grandfather, Ludlow, tells them they must take over his role as the protector of Albion, which is Old English for England. As the protectors of Albion they must defend England and the world against the demons and dark magic that threaten it.

A top cast includes some well-known names from both film and television.

William Swift played by Rory Kinnear
Tamara Swift played by Jasmine Hyde
Lord Byron played by Joe McFadden
Queen Bodicea played by Emma Samms
Lord Nelson played by Anthony Daniels
Nigel Townshend played by Paterson Joseph
Ludlow Swift by Leslie Phillips
Henry Swift by Roy Skelton

As well as co-writing and co-creating the series Amber also directed Ghosts of Albion – Legacy

If you live in the UK you can listen to it for free at the link below by signing into your BBC account or listen via the BBC Sounds App. Unfortunately, it is not available to listen to if you live outside of the UK.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000kx00

So whether you are a long-time fan or you’re hearing about Ghosts of Albion – Legacy for the first time listen while you can and once again, I’m sorry for the delay.

Joe

Disclaimer: AmberBenson.TV is not involved in anyway with the writing or production of Ghosts of Albion – Legacy or any part of the Ghosts of Albion series in any form. All rights belong to authors Amber Benson, Christopher Golden and the BBC. This post is for informational purposes only we are simply trying to spread the word about an audio drama co-written and directed by Amber Benson.

Amber Benson and Christopher Golden Interviewed by Six Degrees Of Geek at New York Comic Con

10/25/2023

Recently Amber Benson appeared at New York Comic Con with co-writer Christopher Golden and the cast of Slayers: A Buffyverse Story which is an Audible Original series out now.

If you're just hearing about Slayers: A Buffyverse Story for the first time this is what you need to know. Slayers: A Buffyverse Story is an immersive audio drama set 13 years after Chosen the finale of the ground-breaking TV show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Amber co-wrote the drama with her friend and long-time writing partner Christopher Golden. They both co-directed the series along with Kc Wayland.

The cast features several of the shows original cast members each returning to their characters they played on Buffy. This includes Amber herself who for the first time in more than 20 years again plays the role of Tara Maclay.

For more information on this Audible Original Series click the hyperlink to an earlier article that I wrote in The Latest Amber News section.

At New York Comic Con which took place between the 12th-15th of October Amber and Christopher were interviewed by Six Degrees Of Geek. They discussed the process of making an audio drama and how their experience of making Ghosts of Albion which was an animated online series for the BBC helped them on their journey.

Amber and Christopher discussed how they brought the cast together and why they felt it was important to include the characters they had chosen, what it's like to work with audio as a medium and much more.

I've embedded the interview below which does contain some spoilers.

This is a thoroughly entertaining interview and a must watch for Amber fans. Slayers: A Buffyverse Story is out now on Audible in the USA, UK and Australia.

Joe

Disclaimer: Amber Benson.TV is not involved in any way with Six Degrees Of Geek, New York Comic Con or Slayers: A Buffyverse Story. We own nothing, all rights belong to the respective copyright holders. This post is for informational purposes only we are simply trying to spread the word about another exciting interview featuring Amber Benson.

Amber Was The Special Guest on a Recent Episode of Turn The Page Podcast

3/17/2021

A few days ago, I was excited to learn that Amber had recently been the special guest of the Turn The Page Podcast. This isn't a podcast I was familiar with and I was intrigued to learn that it is in fact the official podcast of The Syosset Public Library in Nassau County, New York USA. Their team of librarians host and produce the podcast and discuss all things literary including talking to special guests.

As well as being an author herself Amber has a passion for books so her appearance on Turn The Page was a perfect fit for her. Amber talks about how she began her career as a writer before discussing her own works including, Ghosts of Albion, The Calliope Reaper-Jones Series and The Witches of Echo Park Trilogy.

Amber recalls how her career has an actor influences her writing and how she uses her training to narrate audiobooks for a series of top authors as well as her own work. We get a mysterious hint or two as Amber reveals she's working on a top-secret project and there’s lots more interesting discussion too.

To listen to the podcast in full and for free just click the link below:

http://turnthepage.blubrry.net/2021/02/25/turn-the-page-episode-130a/

I really enjoyed this interesting podcast, it's definitely a must listen for any Amber fan. Thank you to friend and fellow Amber fan Katie for letting me know about this podcast.

Joe

Disclaimer: Amber Benson.TV is not involved in any way with the Turn The Page Podcast. This post is for informational purposes only. We are simply trying to spread the word about another exciting podcast featuring Amber Benson.

Amber Benson To Co-Host Once Upon A Halloween Night Online Event On Wednesday 21st Of October

10/18/2020

Earlier this week Amber revealed that she and her friend and fellow author Christopher Golden will co-host Once Upon A Halloween Night online writing event on Wednesday.

As many fans will know Amber and Christopher have been friends and collaborators for a number of years, they co wrote Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Willow and Tara: "Wilderness” and “Wannablessedbe” The pair also created Ghosts of Albion online series for the BBC and Lights Out radio drama again for the BBC. Click on the hyperlinks to find out more information about all of these.

This time around Amber and Christopher link up to bring you some Halloween fun in Once Upon A Halloween Night. They will also be joined by fellow authors:

Jonathan Maberry
Jessica Guess
Clay McLeod Chapman
Craig Laurance Gidney

In this one-hour round-robin writing event the authors will create a brand-new scary story, with each person writing one paragraph at a time. The great news for fans is that this event is free and will be shown live online via Crowd Cast.

Once Upon A Halloween Night will take place on Wednesday, 21 October at 10:30 PM BST in the UK which I believe is 5:30 PM EDT in the USA. Although I would advise US fans to doublecheck the time depending on where you are in the states.

To find out more and/or to watch this exciting event live click the link below and press the green "Save My Spot!" button and enter your email to register for free. This event is being presented by St Martin's Press.

https://www.crowdcast.io/e/once-upon-halloween/register?utm_campaign=author&utm_source=social&utm_medium=social-post

I'm really looking forward to this exciting event and I apologise for not being able to get this update online a little sooner.

Joe

Disclaimer: AmberBenson.TV is not involved in any way with the Once Upon A Halloween Night online event. We have no connection to any of the authors involved, this post is for informational purposes only. We are simply trying to spread the word about another exciting online event featuring Amber Benson.

Morning Show Mysteries: Death By Design Written By Amber Benson will have its UK Premiere on Friday, 7 August on Channel 5

8/1/2020

After years of working as a successful novelist on her Calliope Reaper-Jones series, The Echo Park Coven Trilogy and co-authoring The Ghosts of Albion series with Christopher Golden, Amber is developing a growing body of work as a writer for television.

She researched and wrote the scripts for Oscar Pistorius: Blade Runner Killer and Terror in The Woods for the Lifetime network describing the events surrounding two real-life tragic murder cases. In fact, Amber is adding to her work for the Lifetime Network once again with A Murder To Remember adapting crime author Ann Rule’s book Empty Promises for the screen. Fans in the USA will have the opportunity to see its premiere on Sunday 2 of August 8PM ET on Lifetime.

In 2019 she got the chance to pen two fictional murder mysteries for the small screen first she wrote the teleplay for Morning Show Mysteries: A Murder In Mind. Then quickly followed this up by writing Morning Show Mysteries: Death By Design the second time Amber has written for this popular series both of which aired on the Hallmark Movies and Mysteries Channel in the USA.

The Morning Show Mysteries series centers on Billie Blessings (Holly Robinson Peete) a successful restaurateur who also hosts the cooking segment on Wake Up West Coast, a popular TV show. Billie was once suspected of murder but after clearing her name with the help of Detective Ian Jackson (Rick Fox) the two remained friends and are growing even closer as they find themselves at the heart of another mystery.

In Death By Design Billie’s best friend Marian is hired to redecorate the Wake Up West Coast studio. The decorating comes to a sudden and shocking halt when Marian’s twin sister is found murdered. So naturally Billie and Ian are hot on the trail of the killer.

The exciting news for Amber fans in the UK is that Morning Show Mysteries: Death By Design will have it’s UK Premiere on Friday, 7 August at 2:15 PM on Channel 5 and at 3:15 PM on Channel 5+1. Coming hot on heels of Morning Show Mysteries: A Murder in Mind which had it’s UK premiere just a few days ago.

There are different channel numbers depending on which digital TV platform you use I would check on-screen guides and any local channel listings for the correct channel numbers. Unfortunately, A Murder in Mind was not available on demand via the Channel 5 website and I don't anticipate that Death By Design will be either but I will check and post an update if it is available.

Just as with A Murder in Mind there isn't much information on the Channel 5 website about Death By Design click here to view the listing. I've also embedded the US trailer below so you can get a taste of the movie.

I'm thrilled that UK fans will now have the chance to see and enjoy Amber's words in what promises to be another exciting mystery.

Joe

Disclaimer: Amber Benson.TV is not involved in any way with the making of Morning Show Mysteries: Death By Design. We have no connection to Hallmark or Channel 5. This post is for informational purposes only, we are simply trying to spread the word about another exciting movie written by Amber Benson.

A Murder To Remember Written By Amber Benson Premiering In The USA On 2 August On Lifetime.

7/31/2020

A few days ago, Amber announced via her official Twitter account that she has written A Murder To Remember, a brand-new movie for Lifetime Network. A Murder To Remember is inspired by real events and based upon true crime author Ann Rule’s book, Empty Promises.

The movie tells the story of a young couple celebrating their first wedding anniversary by going on a camping trip. When events take a deadly turn, a young woman accepts an offer of help from another camper but will it be a decision she lives to regret.

After years of working as a successful novelist on her Calliope Reaper-Jones series, The Echo Park Coven Trilogy and co-authoring The Ghosts of Albion series with Christopher Golden, Amber is developing a growing body of work as a writer for television.

A Murder To Remember is the third movie Amber has written for The Lifetime Network following on from 2017's Oscar Pistorius: Blade Runner Killer and 2018’s Terror in The Woods both detailing two tragic real-life murder cases. Last year Amber returned to fiction writing with A Murder In Mind and Death By Design both part of the popular Morning Show Mysteries series for Hallmark.

A Murder To Remember will be the directorial debut of Robin Givens and when Amber posted the news on her own Twitter feed she was quick to praise Robin and congratulate her on her success before modestly adding that she'd written the movie. Click here to see Amber's original tweet and you can see a video of Robin discussing the movie.

A Murder To Remember will have its US premiere on Sunday the 2nd of August at 8 PM ET. Unfortunately The Lifetime USA website is not accessible to anyone outside of the US and when I tried to access it, it defaults to the UK website which doesn't have any information on the movie at the moment. I can't post the link but it should be available to anyone in the US via a search engine.

If like me, you live in the UK I have found articles on variety.com and meaww.com where you can find out more information about A Murder To Remember. Click the link below to see the trailer:

https://www.facebook.com/lifetime/videos/721567791959468/

I’d like to wish Amber every success with the movie and I hope fans in the UK will have the opportunity to see it in the future. I hope everyone who gets to see A Murder To Remember enjoys it.

Joe

Disclaimer: Amber Benson.TV is not involved in any way with the writing or production of A Murder To Remember. All rights belong to Amber Benson, Ann Rule and The Lifetime Network. This post is for informational purposes only. We are simply trying to spread the word about another exciting movie written by Amber Benson.

Morning Show Mysteries: A Murder In Mind Written By Amber Benson will have its UK Premiere on Friday, 24 July on Channel 5

7/18/2020

After years of working as a successful novelist on her Calliope Reaper-Jones series and The Echo Park Coven Trilogy and co-authoring The Ghosts of Albion series with Christopher Golden, Amber is developing a growing body of work as a writer for television.

She researched and wrote the scripts for Oscar Pistorius: Blade Runner Killer and Terror in The Woods for the Lifetime network describing the events surrounding two real-life tragic murder cases. In 2019 she got the chance to pen a fictional murder mystery for the small screen when she wrote the teleplay for Morning Show Mysteries: A Murder In Mind for Hallmark which aired on their Hallmark Movies and Mysteries Channel in the USA.

The Morning Show Mysteries series centers on Billie Blessings (Holly Robinson Peete) a successful restaurateur who also hosts the cooking segment on Wake Up West Coast a popular TV show. Billie was once suspected of murder but after clearing her name with the help of Detective Ian Jackson (Rick Fox) the pair remained friends and occasionally find themselves at the heart of another mystery.

In A Murder In Mind Billie comes to the aid of a friend and former employee who has recently got her big break in the lead role of brand-new TV drama Kelso's Law. Excitement turns to horror as a dead body is uncovered. The finger of suspicion soon falls on Billie's friend after it's revealed that she was being blackmailed by the victim. Billie again teams up with Detective Jackson in a race against time to clear her friend and uncover the identity of the killer.

The exciting news for Amber fans in the UK is that Morning Show Mysteries: A Murder in Mind will have it’s UK Premiere on Friday, 24 July at 2:15 PM on Channel 5 and at 3:15 PM on Channel 5+1.

There are different channel numbers depending on which digital TV platform you use I would check on-screen guides and any local channel listings for the correct channel numbers. At this stage I don't know if it will be available to viewers on demand via the Channel 5 website, if it is I will post a separate update to let fans know.

At present there isn't much information on the Channel 5 website, click here to view the listing. I've also embedded the US trailer below so you can get a taste of the movie.

I'm thrilled that UK fans will now have the chance to see and enjoy Amber's script in what promises to be an exciting mystery.

Joe

Disclaimer: Amber Benson.TV is not involved in any way with the making of Morning Show Mysteries: A Murder In Mind. We have no connection to Hallmark or Channel 5. This post is for informational purposes only, we are simply trying to spread the word about another exciting movie written by Amber Benson.

Amber Supporting A Charity Auction In Aid Of Black Lives Matter

6/8/2020

Amber fan The SciFiBard is participating in Comic Writers Challenge in raising money for Black Lives Matter by auctioning her own personal copy of Ghosts of Albion: Astray as well as a signed photo of Amber herself.

Ghosts of Albion series set in the 1880s was created and written by Amber Benson and Christopher Golden. It centres on the lives of William and Tamara Swift, siblings who protect Albion (the old English name for England). Astray novella sees William and Tamara as they travel to investigate a strange phenomena that is affecting the children in a small village. To find out more about Ghosts of Albion click the hyperlink to visit our dedicated page.

The book itself is a numbered limited edition hardback copy that has been signed by both Amber Benson and Christopher Golden.

Amber added her own support by offering a personalised video message from her to the winner of the auction. To see Amber's tweet click here

The auction is taking place on Twitter via The SciFiBard account simply place your bid as a reply to her original tweet. The auction will close at 11:59 PM on 10 June BST

To find out more and/or to place a bid click the link to the Twitter thread below:

https://twitter.com/TheSciFiBard/status/1269792045431914502

This is a fantastic cause and it was very generous of The SciFiBard to offer her own rare collectable book co-written by Amber. It's also fantastic and generous of Amber offering the winner their own video message.

A great cause and I just wanted to wish everyone who is bidding good luck!

Joe

Disclaimer: Amber Benson.TV is not involved in any way with this charity auction we are simply trying to spread the word about a fundraising effort being supported by Amber Benson.

Amber Narrates The Audiobook Version Of The Pandora Room Out Now In The USA

4/29/2019

Earlier this year Amber told her fans via her official Facebook page that she would be narrating the audiobook version of The Pandora Room by Christopher Golden. Amber and Christopher have been friends and collaborators for many years, together they co-wrote Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Willow and Tara: "Wilderness” and “Wannablessedbe” a 2 part comic book. The Ghosts of Albion web series for the BBC featuring demon fighting siblings William and Tamara Swift.

They went on to write a novella and 2 full novels in which the Swifts continue their fight against evil. Christopher and Amber also wrote the radio drama Lights Out, a chilling tale set inside a women's prison. This was part of the BBC's Man in Black series. Now Amber has lent her vocal talents to the audiobook version of The Pandora Room.

For more information on this exciting audiobook I've included the official publisher summary from audible.com website. No copyright infringement is intended:

"Publisher's Summary
The Pandora Room is New York Times best-selling author Christopher Golden’s chilling exploration of what happens when the original Pandora's box is discovered in an ancient subterranean city, stirring international conflict and exposing the archaeological team to curses, whispers, and the terror of a legendary plague.

In one ancient variation on the myth of Pandora’s box, there were two jars, one for Pandora and one for her sister, Anesidora. One contained all the blessings of the gods; the other all the world’s curses. Now, in a subterranean city in Northern Iraq, archaeologist Sophie Durand has discovered a secret chamber covered in writing that confirms that version of the tale - a chamber that contains a single jar.

“Weird shit” expert Ben Walker joins Sophie’s team just as the mystery deepens and grows ugly. Those who believe the myth want to know you jar has been found in the Pandora Room, the one containing blessings or the one full of curses.

Governments rush to lay claim, but jihadi forces aren’t waiting for the dust to settle. Whatever the jar contains, they want it, no matter who they have to kill...or what will emerge when they open it. For Sophie, Walker, and the others, the Pandora Room may soon become their tomb.
©2019 Christopher Golden (P) 2019 Macmillan Audio”

The Pandora Room audiobook was recently released in the USA published by Macmillan Audio and available via audible.com. The Pandora Room is available as part of a monthly subscription or as a one-off purchase from audible.com. To purchase The Pandora Room and for more information click the hyperlink. An excerpt of Amber reading The Pandora Room has been released via SoundCloud to listen click the hyperlink.

Unfortunately for Amber fans in the UK myself included The Pandora Room is not currently available for sale here. Publishers Macmillan audio confirmed to me via my personal Twitter account that sadly they have no plans for a UK release saying:

“unfortunately, there are no current plans for a UK release. However, there is always the possibility that a UK publisher will want to pick it up in the future. Thanks so much for your support of The Pandora Room and of audiobooks!”

I have also contacted audible.co.uk directly and they have confirmed the audiobook is not available in the UK at this time. The customer services representative that I spoke to did however give me an email address through which people can request audiobooks they would like to buy. I emailed them and have left the address below in the hope that other UK based fans will join me in emailing them. You never know they may decide to make it available to us.

[email protected]

Amber fans in the UK can access the free excerpt from SoundCloud so we can hear a little of Amber's fantastic narration and learn more about this exciting book. I would like to congratulate Christopher and I hope everyone who has the opportunity to listen enjoys it and fingers crossed we'll be able to hear it in the UK soon.

Joe

Disclaimer: AmberBenson.TV is not involved in any way with the writing or production of The Pandora Room audiobook. All rights belong to Christopher Golden and Macmillan Audio. This post is for informational purposes only, we are simply trying to spread the word about another exciting audiobook narrated by Amber Benson.

Lights Out Written By Amber Benson & Christopher Golden To Be Re-Broadcast Next Week.

2/4/2019

In what has turned out to be a very busy day I have another exciting update. Christopher Golden has confirmed via Twitter that the BBC is to re-broadcast Lights Out.

In, 2010 Amber teamed again up with long time friend and collaborator Christopher Golden to write Lights Out, a radio drama.

Jasmine Hyde who Ghosts of Albion fans will recognise as the voice of Tamara Swift plays Sarah the newest inmate at Her Majesty’s Prison Stanwick. Prison life holds no fear for Sarah well that is until she is plunged headfirst into a dark and potentially deadly mystery. This chilling tale was made by the BBC as part of The Man in Black series. It was originally broadcast on BBC Radio 7, which has now become BBC Radio 4 Extra.

It will be rebroadcast on Sunday, 10th of February at 6:30 PM once again on BBC Radio 4 Extra. If you haven't had a chance to listen to it please do check it out, for more information click the link below:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00yw4bc

Joe

Disclaimer: AmberBenson.TV is not involved in any way with the writing or production of Lights Out. All rights belong to Amber Benson, Christopher Golden and the BBC. This post is for informational purposes only. We are simply trying to spread the word about an exciting radio play co-written by Amber Benson.