Inspired by Oscar Wilde's classic story of hedonism and corruption, The Confessions of Dorian Gray imagines a world where Dorian Gray was real, and his friendship with Oscar Wilde once spawned the famous novel.

Following on from the events of Series Three, The Confessions of Dorian Gray: The Spirits of Christmas finds Dorian Gray (Alexander Vlahos) enjoying his first proper Christmas in the company of series regular Tobias Matthews, played by Hugh Skinner (W1A, Our Zoo, American Psycho), and comprises two double-length episodes: Desperately Seeking Santa by Tim Leng and All Through the House by Alan Flanagan.

'It's lovely to have new writers aboard,' says series creator and director Scott Handcock, ‘and they both deliver very different tales. Desperately Seeking Santa is exactly what you'd expect from a Dorian Christmas. It's unapologetically Christmassy throughout, but also tragic, brutal and tinged with the blackest of humours. All Through the House then runs with that and delivers the most ambitious Dorian tale yet - it's like every Christmas disaster movie rolled into one! But it also takes Dorian to new places and promises one or two interesting developments for series five...'

The guest cast for the special includes Katy Manning and David Blackwell (reprising their roles of Isadora Rigby and Simon Darlow), Tom Allen (Bleak Expectations), Colin McFarlane (Torchwood: Children of Earth, Batman Begins), Sarah Ovens (Torchwood: The Conspiracy), Gabriel Woolf (Doctor Who: Pyramids of Mars and The Triumph of Sutekh) and horror legend David Warner as none other Santa Claus himself!

'Suffice it to say, David Warner isn't playing your typical Santa,' Scott teases. 'It's very creepy and sinister, but also extremely playful at the same time. It's a beautifully judged performance. And I'm thrilled to welcome the likes of Gabriel, Colin, Sarah and Tom into the Dorian family. The energy they lend to the second half of the story is astonishing! Not to mention all the other actors who have popped by for the odd cameo!'

Also lending their vocal talents across the two stories are Guy Adams, Sophie Aldred, Samantha Béart, Lisa Bowerman, Jacqueline King, Bruno Langley, Sakuntala Ramanee, Miles Richardson, Laura Riseborough and Bianca Stephens.

The Confessions of Dorian Gray: The Spirits of Christmas is due for release in December and can be pre-ordered now on CD (£14.99) and Download (£12.99). Also included is a third bonus disc of behind-the-scenes interviews with cast and crew and other extras.

Story details for The Confessions of Dorian Gray: Series Four - comprising eight half-hour episodes for release in November - are also available now, with a fifth and final series currently in production for 2016.

Note: The Confessions of Dorian Gray contains adult material and is not suitable for younger listeners.

For the latest updates, follow the Dorian Gray Twitter account: @DorianGrayBFP