Quick Summary
A seasoned actor surveys several prominent cases where stories of baffling illnesses have provoked both morbid fascination and a tangible sense of dread. He highlights how these accounts continue to captivate and unsettle audiences today across contemporary culture and beyond.
About This Program ✦
Tales of the Tormented is a programme presented as a single episode that centres on unsettling narratives. Its title hints at the disturbing subject matter, and the format follows one instalment rather than a series. The episode is fronted by a veteran actor whose experience lends authority to the investigation. In this episode, a seasoned actor takes on the role of investigator, looking closely at several prominent cases where accounts of mysterious illnesses have captured public imagination. He highlights how these stories of baffling afflictions have ignited a morbid fascination among listeners, while simultaneously provoking a tangible sense of dread. Each case is presented as a notable instance, highlighting the unusual nature of the condition. The actor’s approach involves dissecting each account, drawing attention to the strange symptoms and the lack of clear explanations. By doing so, he underscores the way these inexplicable maladies become focal points for both intrigue and anxiety, illustrating the powerful emotional response they elicit. His commentary often returns to the theme of fear, reminding viewers how uncertainty fuels anxiety. Through this examination, the programme showcases the dual impact of such tales: they feed a curious appetite for the unknown, yet they also awaken a palpable fear of the unseen forces behind the illnesses. By juxtaposing curiosity with dread, the programme invites reflection on why such stories endure. The episode thus presents a balanced look at how mystery and terror intertwine in these notable narratives.
The UnXplained with William Shatner broadcasts on Blaze (Freeview) at 12:00am, Sunday, 8 February 2026.


