A “major” psychological thriller series which will be shown on BBC One has been filming in a Nelson pub.
The six-part series, Requiem, is set in Wales with filming taking place at several locations across the country, including the Lord Nelson Inn, on Commercial Street, Nelson.
While trailers were set up in the car park of the Co-op store on Mafon Road, the production’s crew filed into the back of the pub for a day of filming on Thursday June 22.
The BBC synopsis describes Requiem as a “psychological thriller with subtle supernatural undertones”. In 1994 a toddler disappears from a small Welsh town, never to be seen again. Twenty-three years later, talented young cellist Matilda has her life turned upside down by her mother’s inexplicable suicide.
In the wake of the tragedy Matilda begins to question everything she thought she knew about herself, embarking on a quest that leads her to that Welsh village – a place haunted by its own past, where the secrets she uncovers threaten to unravel her very identity.
Filming began in Newport in March, with the production meant to be in Nelson for a few days, only for the proximity of the Lord Nelson Inn to the road to scupper plans.
The pub’s co-owner, Kay Williams, said: “I can’t say much because I’ve been sworn to secrecy, but we’ve been in conversation with Requiem since the beginning of the year. They already had the external of a pub, and needed an interior which represented it best.
“They shot some smaller scenes in the back of the pub, but Nelson could have had a greater part to play. We were close to agreeing five days worth of filming, but the sounds of the traffic let us down. It’s a shame because you wouldn’t recognise the inside as the Lord Nelson Inn, but it’s been great all the same.
“It’s a new experience for us here, and they’ve been great guys to work with. We’ve all been fascinated by the inner workings and mechanics of a production like this. I’ve actually been away on holiday, so I should pay tribute to my colleague Judith who’s had a lot of organising to do.”
The cast of Requiem includes Lydia Wilson (Star Trek Beyond), Joanna Scanlan (The Thick of It) and Richard Harrington, best known for Welsh police drama, Hinterland.
The series has been commissioned by BBC One and co-produced by New Pictures and Netflix, who will broadcast the show outside of the UK.
Kris Mrksa, the creator and writer, said: “Requiem is the show I’ve always wanted to make. To be making it with the team at New Pictures, and for the BBC and Netflix, networks that I so greatly admire, really is a dream come true.”
Piers Wenger, Controller BBC Drama, added: “Kris Mrksa’s Requiem is a unique thriller with a strong authorial vision and a wonderful cast confirmed. BBC One continues to bring audiences exciting and bold original drama series.”
Production funding support from the Welsh Government ensured Requiem was set and filmed in Wales, securing work for Welsh crews, facilities companies and local suppliers.
Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure, Ken Skates, said: “Our growing success in the TV and film production industry is helping to promote Wales globally and highlight the talent and skills base that we have here.
“Attracting productions of this calibre to Wales is a sector priority and brings direct and indirect benefits to the economy, to local communities and to the film and TV sector.”
I was there when they were scoping it out, they were only interested in the small room to the far left that has the fire place and said their location team had looked all over south Wales for something that represents the time of the set. They thought that it was quite small but it was the best they could find. I thought sarcastically at the time they couldn’t have looked hard enough.
The female owner tried to get her family friend on board with them as she has interests with behind the scenes but they didn’t seem to be keen.
All this was discussed right next to us as we were eating our food so was abit hard not to take in what they were saying.
Great news for Nelson though, always great when stars grace our lands.
Great to see another BBC series being filmed locally, with Stella being filmed in Bargoed and now Requiem in Nelson its all good news.