Town turns into Dublin for Hugh Grant’s TV series
SCENES for Hugh Grant and James Bond star Ben Whishaw’s new series, A Very English Scandal, were filmed in Bridgend last week.
From around 6am on Thursday the town centre was transformed into 1970s Dublin, with green phone boxes and signposts.
The three-part series also stars Welsh actress Eve Myles and Overshadowed actress Michelle Fox, who was also in Bridgend.
Stephen Frears – who directed The Queen, My Beautiful Launderette and Philomena – is in charge behind the camera.
Hugh is playing MP Jeremy Thorpe, the first British politician to stand trial for conspiracy and incitement to murder, following the killing of his ex-lover Norman Scott, played by Ben Whishaw, who was also the voice of Paddington Bear.
Thorpe, leader of the Liberal party from 196776, was acquitted but the accusations ended his political career.
Fans of the Notting Hill actor took to Twitter to express their excitement that he might be in Bridgend.
However, the manager of The Wyndham Arms Hotel, Lisa Driscoll, said he was absent from the set.
The Dunraven Place accommodation was used for part of the filming as the green room.
Lisa said: “We have been transformed into The Ambrose Hotel. And we have opened up the hotel as the green rooms.
“I am in awe, it is so surreal seeing Ben walking past and being on first-name terms with the make-up team. They are all really lovely. Michelle is beautiful.
“It is really fantastic publicity and it’s great to see our town being recognised.”
Beth Daniel is chairman of Bridgend Traders’ Forum and owns a hairdressers opposite where they were shooting the television drama.
She said: “For our local traders, it’s a fantastic way of bringing attention to our town centre.”