BBC to air 'scariest ever drama' that left 'country unable to sleep' tonight

One of the most scary television drama films, Threads, will be aired tonight (Wednesday 9 October) in a rare showing on the BBC (Image: BBC)

Tonight (Wednesday 9 October), the BBC is set to air the chilling television drama film Threads in a rare broadcast, sending shivers down the spines of viewers across the nation.

Originally aired in 1984 and known as 'the night the country didn't sleep', Threads depicts the harrowing tale of a nuclear strike on Britain from the perspective of two Sheffield families, tracing the events leading up to the war and the decade of devastation that follows.

Penned by Barry Hines, famed for his novel A Kestrel for a Knave which inspired the 1969 film Kes, Threads garnered critical acclaim, securing seven BAFTA nominations in 1985 following its debut and clinching awards for Best Single Drama, Best Design, Best Film Cameraman, and Best Film Editor.

In commemoration of the 40th anniversary of its initial airing, the BBC will rebroadcast the gripping nuclear war drama directed by Mick Jackson this Wednesday evening, complete with a 15-minute prelude featuring Mick himself reflecting on the creation of this apocalyptic masterpiece.

The television film was first aired in 1984, which was dubbed 'the night the country didn't sleep' (Image: BBC)

Social media is abuzz with anticipation and memories, as Twitter, now X, users shared their thoughts on the upcoming screening. One user exclaimed: "BBC Four are showing Threads tonight at 10pm, in case you wanna just ruin your entire f**king week!", another reminisced: "Everyone at school was talking about this after it was on. Fearsome", while yet another warned: "If anyone is watching #Threads on BBC four tonight good luck it's a gruesome film in places", reports the Mirror.

One social media user remarked: "Threads is indeed a scary film I believe it still stands up today I'm surprised that it's basically never broadcast But it is being broadcast tonight on BBC Four", while another enthused: "THREADS is on BBC Four tonight - possibly the greatest tv drama of all time?"

const loadOvpScript=()=>{let el=document.createElement('script');el.setAttribute('src','https://live.primis.tech/live/liveView.php?s=118222&playerApiId=v118222');document.getElementById('ovp-primis').appendChild(el)};window.top.addEventListener('primisPlayerInit',e=>{try{if(e.detail&&e.detail.playerApiId==="v118222"){if(window.document.getElementsByClassName('jwplayer')[0]){e.detail.float('disable')}}}catch(e){}});window.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded',()=>{setTimeout(()=>{if(typeof flagTcfLoaded!=='undefined'&&flagTcfLoaded===!0){loadOvpScript();ExpressApp.Log('[Load] OVP flagTcfLoaded',new Date())}else{document.addEventListener("tcfLoaded",()=>{loadOvpScript();ExpressApp.Log('[Load] OVP tcfLoaded',new Date())})}},1500)})

Meanwhile, someone else commented: "Threads is re-airing tonight on the BBC. Probably one of the most depressing, miserable and terrifying films I've ever seen. So there's that" and yet another added: "Only its fourth time to be shown on network television #Threads."

Threads will air at 10:20pm on BBC Four on Wednesday 9 October (Image: BBC) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

Writer Charlie Brooker previously recalled how he watched Threads when he was younger and has cited it as his inspiration for his hit dystopian and sci-fi series Black Mirror.

While appearing on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs a few years ago, Charlie, 53, said: "I remember watching Threads and not being able to process what it meant; not understanding how society kept going."

Threads will air at 10:20pm on BBC Four on Wednesday 9 October with an introduction from director Mick Jackson beforehand at 10pm.

BBC to air 'scariest ever drama' that left 'country unable to sleep' tonight

BBC to air 'scariest ever drama' that left 'country unable to sleep' tonight

BBC to air 'scariest ever drama' that left 'country unable to sleep' tonight

BBC to air 'scariest ever drama' that left 'country unable to sleep' tonight

BBC to air 'scariest ever drama' that left 'country unable to sleep' tonight