What happens when Dracula trades gloomy castles for cul-de-sacs? In this special Halloween episode, host Sarah Dowd sinks her teeth into the modern vampire mythos with gothic horror expert, actor, director, and bona fide scream queen Megan Tremethick. Together, they trace the chilling lineage from the cynical, blood-soaked anthologies of Amicus Productions in post-war Britain to Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot and beyond.

From small-town terrors and Cold War anxieties to British "scream queen" heritage and the resurrection of iconic UK horror studios, Sarah and Megan unravel how horror films and books help audiences cope with trauma, paranoia, and everyday dread. Don’t miss this spooky episode!

Highlights:

• How post-war trauma in Britain and America inspired a new wave of horror
• Salem’s Lot at 50: why Stephen King’s vampires hit differently in the suburbs
• The rise, fall, and resurrection of Amicus Productions
• Megan’s path from Cats-obsessed schoolgirl to leading new British horror (via a fateful solo trip to Cannes)
• Why facing your fears on screen or in real life can be transformational
• Vampires as metaphors
• British vs. American horror: what makes an Amicus or Hammer film so distinct
• How history, anxiety, and creative arts help us process collective fears
• Behind the scenes of Amicus’s rebirth, and a sneak peek at Megan’s horror projects.

Film Recommendations:

The Blood on Satan's Claw, Tigon - 1971

Asylum, Amicus Productions - 1972

Dr. Terror's House of Horrors, Amicus Productions - 1965

The Vault of Horror, Amicus Productions - 1973

The Wicker Man - 1973

Invasion of the Body Snatchers - 1978

Witchfinder General, Tigon - 1968

Dracula, Hammer - 1958

Dead of Night - 1945

About Megan Tremethick:

Megan is a Cornish actress, filmmaker, writer, and producer, known for her roles in The Reign of Queen Ginnarra (2025) and Hex Studios’ The Slave and the Sorcerer (2024), as well as appearances in The Vance Institute, The Lockdown Hauntings, and Ghost Crew. As a filmmaker, she has directed several horror shorts inspired by Giallo and H.P. Lovecraft, including Slot, The Haunter of the Dark, and Revenge of Innsmouth. Her latest project, Spoiling You, explores the unsettling side of ASMR, and she also stars in Amicus Productions’ forthcoming anthology In the Grip of Terror (2025), paying homage to Britain’s classic horror roots. Her work has been featured in Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, The Guardian, Fangoria, and more.

Connect with Megan:

In the Grip of Terror, is available to pre-order on Backerkit.

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