Written by Tom Deehan on Jun 7, 2016. Posted in On Location / Production News

Sky 1’s Agatha Raisin filmed on location in Bristol

Sky 1’s brand new series adapted from Marion Chesney’s Agatha Raisin mystery novels, was filmed on location in Bristol. The new series was commissioned after the success of 2014s Christmas special, Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death which was shot in Bristol and Biddestone, Wiltshire and attracted a viewership of over one million.

Ashley Jensen (Extras) will reprise her role as the titular detective alongside Matthew Horne (Gavin & Stacey). The production visited a number of areas throughout Bristol including Cumberland Basin, Colston Hall, The Clifton Club and Ashton Court. These locations doubled for the Cotswolds - the original setting for Chesney’s novels.

Natalie Moore of the Bristol Film Office explains: “we were delighted to welcome back Mammoth Screen and Free@LastTV to Bristol for the first full series of Agatha Raisin following their pilot last year and to be able to assist them once again with securing office space for the production as well as recceing locations and providing logistical support. Location filming was largely done further afield so it was an endorsement that they wanted to base themselves in Bristol and utilise our services as well as local crew.”

Agatha Raisin is one of a number of productions to contribute to Bristol’s growing popularity, after the Bristol Film Office announced in May that on location shoots had increased by 65% during the 2015-16 period. The intensity of filming brought along an overall investment of GBP16.6 million, with 370 film permits issued.

High-end productions are inspired to shoot in the UK thanks to the country’s rewarding tax incentive which provides a rebate of up to 25% if a minimum spend of GBP1 million per episode is met.