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.

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.

Support the Kickstarter for Mr Whispers.

Patreon: British Horror Studio Patreon

Instagram: @megantremethick

About Sarah Dowd:

I’m Sarah Dowd - writer, speaker, heritage and arts consultant, producer, and all-around nerd - here to share the stories of our past that make us laugh, gasp, and mutter: It’s History… For F***k’s Sake.

For 25+ years I’ve created immersive, inclusive experiences that bring history alive, from rallying Second World War convoys through London to staging performances between Pearly Kings and Gen Z creatives. My work spans museums, cathedral crypts, pop-up theatres, global brands, and community projects across the UK and beyond.

As a Canadian living between the UK and France (with a late ADHD diagnosis that fuels my curiosity and creativity), I zigzag through culture, history, and big ideas, but never boring ones.

Every week on HistoryFFS, we explore how history echoes through today, from Drag Race to prefab tiny houses, with voices from musicians to mischief-makers.

Follow @HistoryFFS - because we’re all making history, one ridiculous, wonderful moment at a time.

Connect with Sarah:

Website: www.historyffs.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahdowd/

Patreon: HistoryFFS

YouTube: @HistoryFFSPod

Instagram: @historyFFSPod

TikTok: @historyffspod

X: @HistoryFFSPod

Produced by: winteraudio.co.uk