Making her Big Finish debut is Lachele Carl as Sheriff Rhonda Tate. Lachele works extensively as an actress and voice artist, and has also appeared in a number of shows – including Star Cops, Grange Hill and Bob The Builder - but is best known to Doctor Who fans for her recurring role as newsreader Trinity Wells.

“I’ve worked with Lachele before,” says co-producer David Darlington. “I've heard her play roles as diverse as Michele Obama and Whitney Houston! So I knew there was so much more to her than Trinity, and that she’d bring the right combination of professionalism, gravitas and humanity to the role of Sheriff Tate.”

“Rhonda obviously leads the investigation into the murder,” says co-producer Joseph Lidster, “but she’s painfully aware that a number of previous Collinsport sheriffs have died over the years. She has also had to deal with the wayward behaviour of her daughter, Jackie.”

Assisting Rhonda with the investigation is young deputy Eric Hanley, played by Daniel Collard.

“Eric is young but good at his job,” continues Joseph Lidster. “He’s also fiercely loyal to Rhonda. For now.” You can hear Rhonda and Eric introducing themselves here. Some pictures have been added to the extensive cast gallery here.

And finally, reporting on the events as they escalate is a radio newsreader played by… Wallace McBride. “Wallace is known to Dark Shadows fans as the man behind The Collinsport Historical Society blog and podcast,” says David Darlington. “He’s been a huge support to the Big Finish range so we were delighted to offer him a little supporting role.Of course, in Collinsport, even radio newsreaders aren’t safe…”

In Collinsport, nobody is safe…

Dark Shadows: Bloodlust is a 13-part miniseries released across January and February 2015. It's available to pre-order here.