Martin Shaw stars as Father Jacob, a priest working to promote candidates for sainthood, in Apparitions, a new series for BBC One. Father Jacob becomes drawn in to exorcism as he discovers a dark battle between good and evil – a battle that threatens the future of the human race.

In his search for miracles, Father Jacob occasionally sees the hand of Satan and performs an exorcism. Although a reluctant exorcist, he has an undeniable talent for it and his mentor, Monsignor Vincenzo, wants him to take over when he retires as Chief Exorcist of Rome. Vincenzo reveals that Jacob’s name has come up in exorcisms – the demons fear him. Jacob refuses Vincenzo, but when 10-year-old Donna turns up in his office begging for help, he cannot abandon her.

Donna is convinced her dad, Liam, is possessed. At first, Jacob thinks Liam’s hatred of religion is just popular atheism but, as the evidence mounts and he fears for Donna’s safety, Jacob has to find a way to persuade this militant atheist to consent to an exorcism.

While Donna takes up Jacob’s attention, Satanic forces are in play in Jacob’s seminary. Trainee priest Vimal is taunted by Michael, a homeless man who knows his secret thoughts. Vimal was miraculously cured of leprosy after he prayed to Mother Teresa – it’s how he met Jacob. But now Michael tells him his new skin was Satan’s miracle, not God’s. Unless Vimal agrees to use Satan’s gift, it’ll be taken back. Michael warns Vimal if he tries to help Jacob in his exorcism of Donna’s father, the demons will reveal his secret.

Thursday 13 November
9.00-10.00pm BBC ONE