A dramatic screen adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s critically acclaimed novel Jamaica Inn, featuring many scenes shot in Huddersfield, is to head up the BBC’s Easter programmes.
Funded by Screen Yorkshire, the three-part series premieres in the prime-time evening slot on BBC One on Easter Monday.
The 3 x 60 minute part TV drama produced by Origin Pictures for BBC One has been adapted by Emma Frost and directed by BAFTA award-winning director Philippa Lowthorpe.
Funding from Screen Yorkshire’s Yorkshire Content Fund ensured that a significant part of the production filmed on location in Yorkshire, with filming also taking place in Cornwall, where the novel is set, and Cumbria.
Production offices for Jamaica Inn were based at North Light Studios in Armitage Bridge.
Filming scenes for the the inn itself were filmed at Crow Edge, near Holmfirth, and other scenes were shot at Farnley Tyas, as well as Bradford and Keighley.
Hugo Heppell, Head of Investments at Screen Yorkshire and Executive Producer on Jamaica Inn, says: "Emma Frost, Philippa Lowthorpe and Origin Pictures have delivered a ‘Jamaica Inn’ that is visceral and authentic, and while being true to Du Maurier’s classic, brings the sensibility of a Sergio Leone film, or Altman’s McCabe and Mrs Miller.
“It features fabulous performances and brilliant production design from Grant Montgomery, showcasing the world class talent that our region has to offer film and TV producers .’’
Producer David Thompson said: "We were thrilled to have the opportunity to revisit Yorkshire to film large parts of ‘Jamaica Inn’, which is a particularly rich source for period locations, providing us with huge possibilities to adapt this much loved novel for the screen.
“We also love working with the Yorkshire crews who we have found to be so dedicated and passionate about their work”.
Ben Sweet, of North Light Studios, said: “It was a coup to have the filming done here.
“Many for the scenes were shot around Crow Edge and you can see the Inn in the background which was built by adding to an existing barn on the hills.
“The interior shots of the inn were all shot at The North Light Studios as were some woodland scenes while Farnley Estate’s land was also used for the lead character’s scripted Journey from Devon to Cornwall”.
Set in 1821 against the forbidding backdrop of windswept Cornish moors, the story follows the journey of young and spirited Mary Yellan who is forced to live with her Aunt Patience after the death of her mother.
Despite pressure to marry local boy Ned after her mother’s death, Mary refuses to compromise. Though Ned is kind to her, she doesn’t love him and won’t marry without love. Mary declines Ned’s proposal, and journeys to Jamaica Inn in Cornwall.
Jessica Brown Findlay (Downton Abbey, Labyrinth) stars as Mary Yellan, Matthew McNulty (The Paradise, Room At The Top) as Jem Merlyn,Sean Harris (The Borgias, Southcliffe) as Joss Merlyn, Ben Daniels (Wiper’s Times, House Of Cards) as Francis Davey, Joanne Whalley (The Borgias, Gossip Girl) as Aunt Patience and Shirley Henderson (Southcliffe, The Crimson Petal And The White) as Hannah.
More of Huddersfield on TV
Huddersfield twins debut in BBC 2 drama Peaky Blinders
Huddersfield house gets starring role in ITV's DCI Banks TV show
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