'Back when we were planning series four, Alexander Vlhaos and I discussed how we’d like to draw things to a close, and we were both extremely keen on welcoming back some of the more influential figures from Dorian’s long life for our final outing,” explains the series’ creator and director, Scott Handcock. “The fact we loved working with these people was an added bonus!'

The first story in this collection of four brand-new, hour-long episodes - One Must Not Look at Mirrors by Dorian newcomer Guy Adams - takes listeners all the way back to Dorian’s early days at the tail end of the nineteenth century, when he first encounters the infamous Oscar Wilde, played by Steffan Rhodri (Gavin & Stacey, The Confessions of Dorian Gray: This World Our Hell)…

'It was a real pleasure to welcome Steffan back into the Dorian world,' continues Scott, 'especially given how important his portrayal of Wilde was in establishing the tone of the series in that very first episode. It also coincided with our final ever recording day, bringing us quite literally full-circle! And whilst Oscar’s appearance alongside Dorian was only fleeting before, now we take the opportunity to explore precisely how that friendship forged, and all the complexities that came with it.'

Joining Alexander and Steffan for the story are Jo Joyner (EastEnders, Doctor Who: Bad Wolf/The Parting of the Ways) as Oscar’s wife, Constance; Lewis Reeves (Harry Price: Ghost Hunter, Unforgotten) as Walter Sickert; and Ben Crystal as Richard Dadd; as Wilde’s blossoming friendship with Dorian coincides with a spate of horrific murders around Whitechapel.

'It was an irresistible combination,' Scott explains. 'We were never going to pitch Oscar Wilde against a supernatural foe, but the Ripper murders provide an even more formidable sense of menace, and coincided perfectly with when the story would have had to happen. As a result, I think it’s possibly the darkest story we’ve ever tackled: very honest and very human, with all the pain that brings…'

The Confessions of Dorian Gray: Series Five can be pre-ordered today for just £20 on CD or £18 to download. UK customers can enjoy free postage when they pre-order. And remember, when you choose to buy this release on CD directly from Big Finish, you will also unlock instant access to a digital copy for download upon release.

Casting and story details for the remaining three stories will follow soon....

You can also enjoy the previous four series of The Confessions of Dorian Gray, as well as a number of specials, on the range page here. And for a free preview of the series, you can hear download The Enigma of Dorian Gray on the product page here.