The Pursuit of Love: Where was new BBC drama filmed?

Hitting our screens tonight is the long-awaited drama from BBC One, The Pursuit of Love.

The three-part series, an adaptation of the beloved novel by Nancy Mitford, is set to take over from Line of Duty.

Filmed in a variety of locations, the drama is made up of an impressive list of British actors and tells the tale of freedom, friendship, sex and love.

Here’s all you need to know about Lily James’ new show.

What is The Pursuit of Love about?

Set in Europe between the two World Wars, the series follows the charismatic and fearless Linda Radlett (Lily James) and Fanny Logan (Emily Beecham) as they go on the hunt for their ideal husbands.

Their friendship is put to the test as Fanny settles for a steady life and Linda decides to follow her heart, to increasingly wild and outrageous places.

As social and political divisions split the nation, their diverging choices raise personal questions that remain intensely relevant today – questions about freedom, about love and sex, and the mystery of the human heart.

Who is in The Pursuit of Love cast?

Among the ladies’ suitors are Tony Kroesig (Freddie Fox), Alfred Wincham (Shazad Latif) and Fabrice de Sauveterre (Assaad Bouab), while the Radletts’ neighbour Lord Merlin – played by a dashing Andrew Scott – warns Linda: ‘Love is for grown ups, as you’ll discover one day.’

While love is the only thing on Linda’s mind, her uncle, Matthew – played by Dominic West – seems none too impressed, shouting: ‘An adulterous woman is the most disgusting thing there is.’

The mini-series also stars Emily Mortimer, Beattie Edmondson and Dolly Wells. 

Where was The Pursuit of Love filmed?

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 on location in Bristol and Bath, and at The Bottle Yard Studios. Some scenes were also completed in Paris, France.

Discussing 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.’

The Bottle Yard Studios housed a number of period sets including Cheyney Walk House, Linda’s London home; the Radlett’s country estate, Alconleigh; Merlinford, the neighbouring estate belonging to Lord Merlin; Beverly Hills Hotel and The Ritz.

With support from Bath Film Office, the production team created a stunning period railway station inside Green Park Station, Bath’s former railway station.

They also filmed exterior shots nearby in the Georgian terraced street of Green Park and outside No 1 Royal Crescent Museum.

Other locations used in the West of England 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, South Gloucestershire.

‘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,’ Laura Aviles, Senior Bristol Film Manager said.

‘Once the 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 premieres tonight, at 9pm, on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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