It’s being described as having a whiff of Oliver Twist, a portion of Peaky Blinders and a bit of Bridgerton, the biggest ever hit on Netflix.
And if ‘A True Mismatch’ gets anywhere near the success of any of them, then Paisley will be thrust onto the TV location map.
A trailer is now in the can for what the writers and actors hope can become a major television drama series.
Paisley is doubling for Victorian London in this turn of the century tale of haves and have nots.
Daniel Reynolds is one of the stars and he has already co-written the first series of the crime tale.
The actor, from Johnstone, said: “We are all very hopeful this will be picked up by one of the major networks.
“Every time I go into Paisley I turn a corner and find a new film location.
“It must be one of the best places in the UK to shoot period film and I cannot believe there has never been a major series that has emerged from the town.”
The trailer was shot last week and is currently in production for release later in February.
It’s key to a crowd funder which needs to raise around £3,500 so the first episode can be filmed with proper costumes and permits.
And it could be a big break for an eight-year-old boy from Johnstone.
Kayden Mclay gets a prominent role as a poor child and more young actors from Renfrewshire are being lined-up for the first episode.
Daniel says everything is being done on a shoe-string with the smallest possible cast and crew.
They’re allowed to film as the industry is exempt from lockdown restrictions.
As cash is so tight there is no traditional lavish film shoot catering or Winnebago to relax.
Instead Oakshaw Trinity Church opened up its hall to keep the team warm.
Major scenes have been shot on Church Hill and the Oakshaw area.
And some footage has also been filmed in Kilbarchan and Quarriers Village, both ideal Victorian locations.
The story is a class of working class, middle-class and Downton Abbey-like society toffs.
Daniel,29, works as an Uber Eats driver and his co-writer and director Kris Scott who is with KFC.
At times they would be penning the script at 4am in the morning to try and push the project forward.
Daniel said: “Such is an actor’s life. We have all had to use our own money for the trailer and creative arts is so difficult at the moment.
“It was at the start of lockdown that we began writing.
“And now it is getting to the really exciting stage.”
He used his knowledge as a former nightclub PR in Paisley when he went scouting for locations.
Daniel, who has an HND in acting and performance from Glasgow Clyde College. said: “Paisley can get a certain bad reputation, which I think is totally unjustified.
“But much of the centre is actually Victorian and ideal to double as London in this era.
“We are only employing Scottish-based actors and crew, save for one person. All fingers crossed we are hoping to film the first episode in May.
“If it takes off it will be great for Paisley and Renfrewshire and put money back into the economy.
“To me Paisley is so inspiring, and I love all the artwork on the tenement gable ends. The town is perfect for a writer and an actor.”
He plays ruffian Harry Shaw who is the leader of a London crime gang.
Daniel added: “On behalf of everyone I would like to thank Oakshaw Trinity Church for their hospitality.
“It was so cold when we were shooting the trailer.”
The first episode will be around 30 minutes and an entire first series is just about written.
The producer is Heather Brown and actors involved include Nina Gray who will play the lead role of Alice Godfrey.
Nina is in her final year at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and said: “I am so excited to bring this story to life.
“Who doesn’t love a Victorian period drama?
”It’s a thriller that’s really going to leave people on the edge of their seats.”
