The world premiere of a Victorian TV drama which thrusts old Paisley into the spotlight has taken place without much glitz or red carpet fanfare as Omicron bites.
A True Mismatch had its official screening at a venue in the suitably cobbled Shuttle Street on Sunday.
It’s taken five months of intricate post production work to get the first episode - titled “Only Fear” - ready for view.
And Daniel Reynolds, the co-writer and male lead, said: “I’m so proud of what we have achieved so far . . . however this is just the start of something special.“
Historic Paisley doubles for turn of the century London and the drama revolves around the interaction between gang vagabonds and the elite of capital society.
More than £5,100 had been raised through crowdfunding, enough to get a second episode underway, and now a new appeal is set for February to pave the way to fund a complete six part mini series of A True Mismatch.
Episode 1, which runs for 25 minutes, was filmed in May both in Paisley and the historic settings of Quarriers Village and Kilbarchan.
Much of the indoor scenes were shot inside the Sma’ Shot Cottages, which also provided costumes from the era.
Daniel, from Johnstone, and the team including director Kriss Scott will now tease the first episode to TV companies in the hope of getting a broadcast deal.
There were two showings in Bar Pre on Sunday afternoon, close to the historic Sma’ Shot Cottages.
About half the cast managed to make it to the screening as number had to be pegged because of Covid.
Daniel said: “Some people did come all glammed up, but due to this new variant we felt we had to keep things to a minimum.
“I am really hoping the TV world catches onto what we have done, because the reaction on Sunday was terrific.
“I was buzzing that people can now see what we have been doing.
“I think it shows Paisley’s old architecture in a great light and was perfect as a Victorian London.”
About 95 per cent of scenes were filmed in historic Paisley, including Oakshaw.
Audience member Ruth Walsh was one of the first to see it.
Ruth said: “I was fortunate enough to attend the premiere of the first episode of A True Mismatch.
“The plot was intriguing and left me desperate to see what happens next.
“It’s a tale of class divide, murder and romance set in Victorian London and it was well written and the acting was terrific.
“The atmospheric shots and soundtrack really set the mood for this crime drama. I’m certain this will be popular with TV audiences.”
And Raianny Pinto added: “I do love a period drama and the fantastic outfits make you feel the glamour of the era, and the plot has a hint of romance and suspense.
“I started giggling, then I was nervous, angry and empathetic, I just cannot believe the mix of emotions that I had watching the first episode.”
The story features Daniel as Harry Shaw, the leader of a gang of pickpockets and was a debut for Johnstone lads Kayden Weir, 12, and eight-year-old Kayden Mclay.
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