Highly anticipated period comedy The Pursuit of Love is just days away from airing on the BBC, after it was filmed in Bristol and Bath last year.
An adaptation of Nancy Mitford’s celebrated novel, originally published in 1945, the series follows cousins Linda Radlett and her best friend and cousin Fanny Logan as they navigate their 20s in the interwar period.
Its stellar cast comprises Lily James as Linda Radlett, Emily Beecham as Fanny Logan and Dominic West as Uncle Matthew, Linda’s father.
One of the first drama productions to resume shooting in the UK after the first COVID-19 lockdown, The Pursuit of Love filmed for three months during the summer at The Bottle Yard Studios in Bristol.
The studios housed a number of period sets including Cheyney Walk House, Linda’s London home and the Radlett’s country estate.
It was also the setting for a neighbouring estate, belonging to the wealthy and eccentric Lord Merlin played by Andrew Scott, who you might recognise from Fleabag and His Dark Materials.
Describing the filming process, Andrew Scott said: "Ironically I feel very safe on this set because you know everyone has been tested.
"The crew did an incredible job; wearing masks all day and you have to make more of an effort as you can’t read people’s faces. Everyone was so thrilled to be back working.
"We were so lucky that we were one of the first back after the first lockdown.”
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Production also took place in Bath at Green Park Railway Station.
Crews shot at the nearby Georgian terraced street of Green Park and outside No 1 Royal Crescent Museum.
Other locations used in the West Country region included National Trust properties Dyrham Park, Dinton Park and Phillips House, Stourhead House and Laycock Abbey in Wiltshire, and Avon Valley Railway in Bitton.
Laura Aviles, Senior Bristol Film Manager, said: “This part of the UK has everything a production like The Pursuit of Love could possibly need; stately homes, studio space at The Bottle Yard, a strong crew base and supportive film offices in Bristol and Bath.
"Once government had given the green light, Open Book and Moonage Pictures did an excellent job getting the shoot up and running with Covid-safety guidelines firmly in place. It was the hard work and adaptability of crews and companies in Bristol and Bath that enabled the West of England to be at the forefront of shoots like this resuming in the UK.”
The Pursuit of Love airs on BBC this Sunday at 9pm, with all episodes available to watch on the BBC iPlayer
