Written by Shona Smith on Feb 26, 2019. Posted in Production News

Bristol’s Bottle Yard Studios undergo extensive set building for ITV Jane Austen adaptation

Red Planet Pictures (Death in Paradise, The Ark) has chosen to film its upcoming Jane Austen adaptation Sanditon at Bristol’s Bottle Yard Studios.

A major outdoor film set is currently under construction in the studios’ backlot. Planning approval from Bristol City Council has allowed construction to start on an 1820’s outdoor Regency street set in a ‘quiet seaside town’. Expected to take ten weeks, external elevations are being constructed from open frame scaffolding and wood, against which the authentic period street façade is being built. Sets have also been created inside the studios.

One of the major reasons Red Planet located production at The Bottle Yard Studios was the accessibility to regency period locations from Bristol. Alex Protherough, Head of Production, Red Planet Pictures said: " There is a wealth of locations in this area, perfect for period drama, and particularly the Georgian period where our story is set. The country houses, Bath and its elegant Regency architecture, even the Somerset coastline all offer a wide range of locations perfect for Sanditon” adding that “the construction and studio spaces at the Bottle Yard have made Bristol the obvious place to base film and television production in the area".

An adaptation of an unfinished work by Jane Austen (pictured), Sanditon tells the story of the joyously impulsive Charlotte Heywood and her spiky relationship with the charming Sidney Parker. By chance, she is transported from her rural hometown to the would-be coastal resort of Sanditon where Charlotte is exposed to the intrigues and dalliances of a seaside town on the make. Twists and turns will take viewers from the West Indies to the rotting alleys of London.

Andrew Davies (War & Peace, Les Misérables) has adapted the eleven-chapter original into eight hour long episodes for ITV. The series is set to star Theo James (Divergent, Insurgent) and Rose Williams (Medici, Curfew).

Filming at The Bottle Yard and on location in Bristol is taking place with assistance from Bristol Film Office while the Bath Film Office are also supporting filming at a location in North East Somerset. Natalie Moore, Bristol Film Office says; “Sanditon is an ideal production for Bristol to host. With our own studio base and excellent Regency locations to offer, producers can also benefit from locations support from our neighbours at Bath Film Office nearby. The versatility of the West of England and its network of film friendly support makes this a prime region to base this type of drama, which brings valuable and production spend and employment into the local economy”.

Image: Red Planet Pictures