Landmark lands role in new historical tv series
IT’S had a starring role in key moments in Welsh history, from the Romans and the Normans to Owain Glyndwr’s rebellion and the South Wales coal boom.
But now Cardiff Castle is set to enjoy a taste of small-screen fame too – after being transformed into a film set for a new historical TV series based on Elizabeth I.
While lockdown restrictions have led to a quiet city centre, filming for Becoming Elizabeth has been taking place at the castle this week.
The show traces the early years of the last Tudor monarch and stars German actor Alicia von Rittberg.
The series, made by US production company Starz, is the latest high-end show to be filmed in Cardiff in recent weeks.
Entertainment news website Deadline reported that von Rittberg, who also starred in Second World War film Fury in 2014, has landed the title role in Starz’s eight-episode series.
British playwright Anya Reiss is executive producer alongside George Ormond and George Faber.
The show’s writing team includes Emily Ballou, Anna Jordan, and Suhayla El-Bushra in addition to Reiss.
Starz chief executive Jeffrey Hirsch said: “The world of Becoming Elizabeth is visceral and dangerous – judgements are rendered quickly and no one is safe.
“This series explores the Tudor reign and young Elizabeth, who would become England’s ‘Gloriana’ and one of history’s most dynamic figures, through a new lens which we think viewers will find highly engaging.”
Images of the filming in Cardiff show a number of film crew members and trucks parked in and around the castle.
Several horses were spotted inside the castle grounds, and one scene appeared to involve two people “being hanged” from one of the castle walls inside.
Filming for the show has also taken place in Bristol and Somerset, with pictures from the shooting in Wells showing numerous heads mounted on spikes forming part of the scenes.
It’s the latest big-name show to use Cardiff as a backdrop.
Earlier this month, parts of the city were transformed into a London street for the upcoming Amazon Prime show Alex Rider.
Bollywood has also arrived in the city, with filming taking place for the film Donkey, which tackles the subject of human trafficking.
Cardiff has been no stranger to film crews over the years, with classic movie Tiger Bay having been shot on location in the city in 1959. More recently, the city has become synonymous with the filming of Doctor Who since the show returned to TV screens in 2005.